Montpelier Training Seriers

Okay so I figured seeing this was a training race, it would be a good time for a training blog post.

I don't think the conditions could have gotten any better for us, it was sunny and warm. However, there was a decent wind that affected the home stretch leading to the finish line. The course was 0.8 miles long (1.5 km) consisting of a decent and then an immediate climb. The climb was 350m long with a max gradient of approximately 5%, and a total acent of about 85ft. Not as ridiculous a number as Ashton and I had posted in out post race Facebook messages having confused the length of the climb with the total ascent per lap. Opps.

Members for the team that showed up to the event were Ashston, Eric, and myself (Jeff). This was Eric's first real experience with a crit, seeing Binghamton had no turns. He participated in the C race/skills clinic and came in 3rd during the race part. He was a total gentlemen and let the two ladies ahead of him cross the line, which he could have easily pulled back. All three of us participated in the B race, where me and Ashton were predicting to do well. This is were some misfortunes turned on us.

This was a training race so totally understandable that this things would happen. The organizer forgot a video camera for the finish line, had no final lap bell, and the first lap of the race was SUPPOSE to be neutral so everyone could see the course one more time before the race. This only led to an epic fail, seeing people started racing on the ascent spreading the group out and leaving people to really fight for positions.

As the race went on, which was 20 laps, the field became spread out very quickly. On about the 4th lap Ashton and I got boxed in on the climb by some of the weaker riders and were slowed down substantially. I caught a break by being on Ashton's wheel and was able to pull around and sprint across the gap. From here on it was pretty much a normal race and I don't believe there was a single crash. I tried working with some riders, but they had no clue what i was talking about......a pace line.

The lack of preparedness by the race official took over on the final laps. With them not pulling anyone from the race things got a little hectic towards knowing which lap you were on. I'm pretty sure I remember seeing 11 laps left and then on the next lap i saw there were 6. Nevertheless, as I crossed the finish line with one lap to go, that's what I did one lap. However, as told by Ashton's dad after the race, I think we forgot to do the final lap (but everyone else behind me did the same thing). This could have played into my hands seeing I finished behind the one and two finishers. Thought it was funny some guy wanted to sprint with me to the finish line for like a 11th or 12th spot. I doubt there will be official results posted seeing things got so confusing. But hey, it counts towards our race totals.

I then tried racing in the A race (10 minutes after the B race), which consisted of mainly Cat. 1-3 and some scattered 4s. Before the race I asked the organizer how many laps i would have to do to get credit and his response, "that's a good question, I have no idea." Anyways, I gave it a go, soon to be at the back of the group. I did 3 of the 25 laps, just did not have the legs to keep pace. A lap or two later the organizer starting pulling people from the race and at a pretty fast rate too. I think he realized he couldn't keep track of everyone. Overall it was a fun time, and I had to good crew cheering me on during the A race, where i pretty much joked around with for three laps.

Next stop.....Syracuse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Exciting news about the ADK North Country Race Weekend

One of my favorite races on the calendar, the Balloon Festival Road Race sponsored by Farm Team, has been canceled this year. This is a great race in an amazing town. I love racing out of Cambridge, NY as it is also the site of the Tour of the Battenkill. On a side note if you are ever in Cambridge you need to eat at the Common Ground Cafe, this place just rocks. The Balloon Festival course featured a killer climb in it which treated Team Wear On Earth member Bruce Beauharnois very well last year as he left with a win. This year the race was also going to hold the NYS Junior Championships the following day like it did last year. However both events are sadly not to be anymore.

However what does this mean for the Adirondack North Country Race Weekend? Well it was previously named the NYS Road Racing and Crit Championships however now it will also be hosting the Junior Championship in both events. We are working on updating the race flyer to reflect these changes so give us some time. This year will provide some great competition as we already have commitments from a few big name Canadian programs. Just in case you are not pumped for the race yet, check this video out...

Team Wear On Earth has had a few days off from racing which has been a nice break. This last weekends planned training camp was canceled due to, well snow. I know a great deal of us plan to attend the Montpelier Training Crit Series that starts up on Sunday. This will be my first race back with healthy lungs. I developed a bit of a chest cold after Binghamton which developed into severe bronchitis with a touch of pneumonia. Fun stuff really and spending the better part of my day in the hospital Thursday was not exactly the highlight of my birthday. For now I am just trying to regain fitness and get in some what decent shape for Syracuse and Killington.

Ride hard!

-akers

Binghamton Circuit Race

Well this was our first real weekend of racing. Battenkill does not count in my book (mostly because I essentially dnf'ed due to a mechanical- thank you wheel car for just driving by without stopping). Making the trek from all directions include Eric and Mike down from Potsdam'ish area; Bruce, Doug, Ashton, and Jeff from the greater Plattsburgh area; and myself from Princeton, NJ where I was all week for work.

Binghamton bound

The Fairfield Inn hooked us up with three first floor rooms right next to each other. There is no possible way that Marriott made money on our stay. Each individual member of the team essentially went to breakfast and said "yes, I will take one of everything." After our fill of granola, yogurt, coffee, Belgian waffles, bagels, coffee, fruit, and more coffee we made our way to the race.

It was a cold and rainy day. Really perfect weather for a race except for the fact that it was cold and raining. Doug, fresh off of his 2nd place Battenkill finish, and myself raced the first race. I didn't get much of a warmup in due to not wanting to sit outside in the rain on a trainer. So I did what any smart man would do to warm up, go on a solo break.

Said solo break

I headed back into the field after a few laps out and then Doug took his turn trying to get a few different breaks started. Essentially for the rest of the race I watched Doug mix it up at the front, covering breaks and trying to get stuff started while hiding. With a few laps left I started to work my way up to the front. Doug found me and offered some help but we got split up. A Team Ommegang rider went off the front with roughly one to go and almost held it. I shot out of the group like a prepubescent boy way way way to early, caught the Team Ommegang rider, then promptly died about 10 meters from the line taking 4th. Doug finished with the pack after putting in a lot of work during the race.

Next to go off was the 5 field which Mike, Jeff, Ashton, and Eric were all in. Jeff and Ashton mixed it up early trying to start breaks and attacking like made. They each made one to many attacks and were dropped by the field. Mike and Eric hung in strong for the majority of the race riding a very strong first race for them both.

Bruce's P123 race was something. Bruce covered every move he could and was pretty active at the front however a 3 man break made it away which did not include a Team Wear On Earth member. Bruce was leading the chase from the field to bring them back however he seemed to be the only one doing so. The break stayed away.

Bruce in the pack of the P123

Bruce, fairly fired up about the results of the p123 race went on a solo break from mile 0 in the 3/4 field that started immediately after his race. What was the purpose of this? Pent up anger? Looking for photo opportunities? Really just trying to get warm. Bruce came back into the field after creating a solid gap and staying away for a couple laps. We stayed pretty active at the front, covering breaks and putting in a few solid attacks one including both Bruce and Doug. In the end it all came back together. Bruce and I found each other in the pack and I began leading Bruce towards the front. I had good legs and as the climb started I could feel myself on the verge of blowing up and pulled off, leaving Bruce all alone to fend for himself. In hindsight (which sucks) I should have gone until I had blown up trying to get Bruce closer to the finish. Oh well, live and learn no? Bruce finished with a 7th in the sprint. Note to self, practice lead outs.

Not 100% sure what happened with the 5's second race of the day. I know Ashton and Jeff learned there lessons and stayed in the pack. Ashton ended up 7th! Overall a great weekend for the team. A lot of lessons learned for all parties involved and I am now one step closer to a Cat 3, only two more top 10's until I can upgrade or about 10 pts, whichever comes first.

Nice long report. Next stop Marshall & Sterling Saratoga SpaCrit. You can register here or come down to watch. If you are coming to watch, what better way to watch the race then by volunteering!