It was an overcast day, slightly humid, with temps in the low 70s. I had decided today to enter the master 35+ race at New Britain as I wanted to test myself against riders with many years of experience. Before the start I noticed Sean McCormack getting ready and talked with him briefly. I noted he looked to have leaned down a bit and was getting back into the racing shape that he had once used to great effect.
Sean, a former two time national medalist, was one to be watched in any race. While sprinting was his forte, he did have the ability to climb and time trial as well. He was also an expert tactician, knowing exactly when to make or follow a move in a race. Sean was not the only rider to be reckoned with in this New Britain race though. Ernest Tautkus was also on the start list. Ernest, a category 1 rider, the highest category awarded to riders at the amateur level in "pay to enter" races (I'll get into this later on), could turn the pedals in anger and was to be feared in a sprint finish as well. There were others as well. Mike McGinley, another category 1 and a proficient criterium rider, could win a race from a small breakaway. Ron Fantano, the writer of Rondo's rage and a category 2 cyclist, could be considered a darkhorse for the win. Many other top local riders lined up as well. There was one rider that was missing. That riders name was Joe Tindal.
Joe Tindal had been setting the local riding scene afire. Joe had recently taken many KOMs on strava in the Tolland area. For many who don't know this strava is an app for cyclists, specifically cyclists in their mid 30s who only go to "real" races a couple times of year. These "real" races or "pay to enter" races are races of the old school of cycling. Before the internet explosion and numerous GPS tracking apps, racers would enter these races to test their merit against other competitors. Now with the invent of smart phones such competitions are unnecessary or for competitors who don't drink beer after riding.
Joe had partaken in races such as these in the past, but now he had focused on the all important strava. Joe and I had raced such illustrious segments such as, "The driveway at work" and "that hill I probably got dropped on." These strava races had increased our short term power, as some were only 21 seconds long, and prepared us for New Britain, which while being a longer pay race was composed of short term power bursts, which are typically seen in criteriums.
In the build up preparation for New Britain, which had included remembering my credit card number so I could sign up on bikereg and driving there, I had feared Tindal. To my relief though, he had decided to enter the cat 3 race.
As the race started I felt confident in my ability to ride at least one fast lap for strava. I owed it to strava, but I felt no pressure on myself and to her credit, strava did not pressure me either. You see strava was not a categorist as many race promoters are. Many race promoters would have category 1 and 2 riders race together, while excluding category 3 and 4 riders, making them ride a different race. Strava didn't do that. They could all ride together. No unrealistic pressure was placed on me being a category 1. I wasn't expected to take the KOM. I might take it, but if I got 3rd or 4th I would still get a little trophy in cyberspace. I could take this trophy and post it on facebook, perhaps causing some of my facebook friends to unfriend me. I was content.
The race started and from the gun there were attacks as riders, I presume, were attempting to break Cliff Kenyon's strava lap record. Some may have been trying to win the "pay to enter" race as well. Soon the field split into two groups under the pressure. About 20 riders inhabited the front group, while 30 took up the rear.
I unfortunately was in the rear group. I thought they might come back but eventually the gap grew to 30 seconds and I thought I had made a mistake. Then I noticed Frank McCormack, former US Pro criterium champion. I hadn't even known he was in the race! I saw him riding next to Sean. Something was up.
I soon figured that Frank would take Sean across the gap near the end of the race. So I sat behind those two and waited ... and waited ... and waited. Was I wrong?
It was now five laps to go and I figured I was perhaps wrong. So I started moving up and got all delusional about going across by myself. I could do something like that back in the day, back in the day when I entered these "pay to enter" races on a regular basis. I was a cat. 1. I could do it. Sure.
Then it happened. Frank went by on the other side of the pack with Sean on his wheel. I awoke from my delusion and jumped onto his wheel. This would be easier than crossing alone. David Hildebrand and Michael Norton jumped on the train as well.
Sean took a pull, then it was Frank, then Dave. I thought about pulling then said, "nah, I'm good." Then it was all Frank the rest of the way across. We got across to the lead group in a lap and a half, and when I say we I mean Frank, Sean, and myself. David and Michael had not made it.
The race was decided. The front group would stay away. Soon the sprint began, Sean got a good lead out from his brother and got 3rd. I rode like a pansy and got 19th, but at least I wasn't in the rear group. All in all it was an adequate day.
The question you may be asking is how was I able to put forth such an average performance? What you didn't ask that question? Too bad, I'm going to answer it anyways.
The answer is strava, specifically racing strava with Joe Tindal. We have a wager. The end of July we will race up bear mountain recording our strava times. Whoever loses has to buy the other a six pack of beer, not a keg as Joe contends. Joe has taken an early season strava advantage pushing me to beat his strava times.
This racing allowed me to follow Frank up to the front group. After all, I don't want to have to buy a six pack of beer. So you see, it was Joe who allowed me to get 19th place.
Moving forward to our battle at the end of July I am looking to further strava, now near Watertown challenging the local riders to segments. I have also started P90X and plan to "bring it" as Tony Horton suggests. I figure by "bringing it" P90X style Joe can "bring the beer" in July. I have still to work out the details of finding a P90X type beer but there is still time.
Note: if you are still reading this, perhaps a hobby is in order.
No comments:
Post a Comment