Well, this weekend of racing was Painful to say the least.
The weekend started off with the Cat 4 RR, Devils Punchbowl. IT was 85+ degrees and the course featured a pretty hefty amount of climbing and a LOT of crosswind. I rode the first climb at "tempo" with Johny O, attacked the downhill section and actually opened up a rather large gap with another rider. However due to hesitation over which way to turn at the bottom of the hill we ended up slowing up and got caught... I attacked repeatedly on the long 3%ish climb after the descent. I opened up some gaps but inevitably we were brought back every time. I pegged it on the climb toward start finished and opened up a REALLY big gap and settled into a nice little rythme. The harty cross/head wind into the climb toward the feed zone zapped me. I was caught and then counter attacks started to occur. I made the mistake of covering the first 3 myself and totally killed myself... I got gapped and pretty soon several bike lengths turned into several minutes as I found myself descending all alone. I was going to give up and pull off after start/finish... But then decided I would ride to smitty in the feed zone and then give up. I cramped on the way, rode off the rode, and just toppled over. Discouraged, dehydrated, angry, and annoyed I decided I was done and started walking my bike. I kept noticing riders pass me with the same number series as myself. I had no clue there were that many riders behind me. I got back on and rode to Steve. I told him I didn't need water because I was DONE, but he handed me the water anyways and told me to finish the race. From that point on I attempted to catch as many riders as I could who passed me while I was walking. I think all in all I passed between 8 and 14... which was good enough for 29th... I don't think I have ever had to recommit and rededicate so many times during a race. It was hot and I was extremely dehydrated despite drinking 5 bottles during the race, and PLENTY before. I was extremely nauseous and felt like throwing up for 30 minutes after the race: bonk city.
The lighter side? Team Mate Zpack exhibited his climbing skillz and pulled off a second place finish. WAY TO GO SETH- THAT IS ONE HELL OF A RACE TO GET SECOND IN!!!!
Today's crit I played it smart. Rode near the front, but not on the front, stayed out of the wind, was sitting 4th wheel heading into the last lap, and then all of a sudden the whole field sat up. In my head I realized that I had two options... one was to sit up two, wait for someone else to go and risk getting boxed in... or drill it! When in doubt lead it out. I got passed right after the last corner by what felt like half the field...
This was not my weekend of racing. Its frustrating working and training so hard and still getting slaughtered. Its no wonder why their are so few amateurs who actually race bikes.
One of my goals this year was to up grade to a cat 3. California is definitely the deep end of the talent pool, and at this point I would be dieing if I didn't say I feel a little discouraged. I am in the best shape in my life- why do I feel like it is not good enough?
I am just below half way to my goal of reaching Cat 3 so I pulled out the calendar and figured that there are 18 races that I could make between now and September If I was motivated enough. 18 races is more than ample opportunity to see my goals realized. So enough of this discouraged crap- There is a reason so many people abandon bicycling racing after the first year and I will not be one.
I will learn from my mistakes.
I will go into all the races from here on out with a plan- I will stick to the plan.
I will learn the meaning of the word patience and discipline.
I will learn all I can from more experienced team mates.
I will support and work for team mates in my category in any way possible.
I will not give up.
I will succeed.
I will attack off the front solo, look back, zip up, and raise my arms in victorious salute (J/k not off the front, not solo, I know I know- but I will win... )
Before the season is over I will win a race and I will be a cat 3... one way or another
5 comments:
Hey man, you did great at Punchbowl. I'm the guy from Friends Cycling that talked with you on Sunday and also rode with you on Saturday. You did a great job. The cramping was unfortunate, and seeing you fall made me worried, but you still finished.
Great job!!
Way to keep on keepin on Chester. Nice job on the pep talk at the end of your post. You can do it!
Valiant work this weekend, Chester. The guts to hang in there at PB was totally impressive.
I think that you shouldn't be so focused on trying to upgrade. When it happens, it'll happen. Focus more on having fun, taking some risks, and learning how to be a solid bike racer. Enjoy having new experiences, traveling to strange places in California, and challenging yourself. The results will come. But I worry that you'll forget to have fun while you're chasing the elusive upgrade (and 3s aren't that much different). If I were you, I'd plan to finish the season as a 4 and take stock at that point. Just my two cents (considering I was a Cat 4 for about 17 years before I decided to upgrade!)
Chester, I can't help but take some of the blame for us not placing well at Devil's Punchbowl. The hard tempo we set leading the pack that first lap shredded the field.........but took it's toll on me for sure. I know we put the hurt on people.....but those folks would have been gone by the 2nd lap anyway without our pacesetting. I knew I was in trouble when I bridged up to Seth's solo break on lap 2, but couldn't trade equal pulls. Starting the 3rd lap I was gassed. Sure enough, as the leaders hammered the climbs on the final lap I fell off. We did on laps 1 & 2 what we needed to do on laps 2 & 3. Still, I enjoyed the day and left it all out on the race course. Live and learn I guess. I'm thankful the conditions weren't worse as they easily could have been! Congrats to Seth on a fantastic race!
Patience young grasshopper. Me and my pit spent years nowhere near the podium. It takes a big bank account of suffering to draw from during grueling races. Your getting there. You know it takes more take being in good shape to be a great racer.
Ride on!
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