So we can officially say that the 2010 racing season has begun. Many congrats to Rutgers U for putting on some great races this past weekend. Mother Nature even cooperated by giving us some awesome spring weather. The turnout was awesome, and I'm glad that what will most likely be my last collegiate season had a great start.
The TT went so so; definitely not a time trialist so I don't put much weight into them. Long story short I went out to hard, and put up a rather crappy time. The rest of my team did relatively well in the time trial; they were all happy with their performances. The crit started as usual relatively fast pace; small crash on the second lap. I took a hit on my front wheel which knocked out of true, luckily I did not go down. I got back in the pack and stayed in the top 10-15 the whole time. There were a few sketchy moments were several riders nearly hit the cones coming out of the last turn. The same turn saw a few minor crashes in the B field later in the day; in the end I ended up 16th finished with the front pack as the field wound up being split about halfway through the race. After day 1, I was feeling pretty good and did very well compared to my 2009 collegiate season that saw a string of DNFs and terrible finishes. Our guys in the D field did pretty well with everyone finishing safely in the pack including a top 20finish. My buddy Ray had his first B race as he finally got his cat 3 upgrade. Unfortunately he's been sick w/ an upper respiratory infection which didn't help his race at all. He cramped up and pulled out with a few laps to go. Everyone was very satisifed with how day 1 went, so off we were back to the house for some food and relaxation.
Day 2 saw the circuit race go off in what was once again some great weather. Our guys in the D field rode strongly the whole race, but got caught up in crash on the last lap. Thankfully nothing more than road rash was acquired. They will be back next week ready to race, albeit with a little less skin. In the C race me and teammate rode well always staying near the front marking wheels and staying safe. There was a minor crash early on, simply put some riders touched wheels over reacted and crashed. Maybe they should try going back to down D, but I digress. The was a two man break up the road, the pack chased hard. So hard we caught the C1 field on the last lap, unfortunately for some unknown reason a cop car decided to park at the apex of the last turn. So naturally everyone in the top 10 lost all position including me and my teammate Nick. We burned some matches to get back to the front, being that we caught the tail end of the C1 field, we were sprint through countless guys sitting up. We thought had two top 10s, according the results sheet I had 17th and my guy Nick had 10th. I find that weird b/c I passed Nick well before crossing the finish line. Results aside, I am very satisfied with the first races of 2010. Stevens as a whole is doing well so far, everyone was very happy with how they did despite the crashes. This season is off to a good start, hopefully this is a sign for the bike gods that I'm track for a good season.
This weekend has the always fun Grants Tomb Crit and the all new Stevens Circuit Race at FDR Park. I will be racing on Saturday w/ my club team at Branchbrook Park in the 4/5s, there I will be racing with about 7 teammates as opposed to just 1. We have some strong guys at Montclair, so we should be able to grab a good result. Sunday I'm back to Stevens for some more collegiate action. I'm definitely in much better shape than last year, and I feel strong. Now to carry only if i can carry this form all the way to September then maybe i can upgrade to the 3s. With all the training and racing I'll be doing in the coming weeks, may grades just might plummet. Well I'm graduating in two months, so maybe my professors will have some pity on me :)
I can't end without some pictures, so thanks Dave Hooper for being our unofficial photographer this weekend.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34627682@N02/sets/72157623458795247/
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
So it begins again....
We are a mere 5 days away from the start of the season at Rutgers this coming weekend. As a wise masters race one put it(I can't remember his name, but I'm sure he's out there somewhere) the season always comes 20watts and 15lbs too soon. Whether we are ready for the season to start is irrelevant, the fact is the season is here. Is my form, weight, mental capacity in any way,shape, or form ready for the season. Ehhh, I really don't know. I know I have put in the saddle time on the road and trainer alike, I've put in the time in the gym, and I've done my part to help my new teammates be ready for this Saturday. Simply put I'll put my cards on the table come Saturday and see if lady form is on my side.
As far as tire decisions go; I had my heart set on the Vittoria's. But due to some unforseen purchases(thanks senior design and a frugal engineering dept) I have had to put off this purchase for another week or two. Thankfully I have set of training tires ready to go for this weekend. Since my last post I have spent my Saturday mornings training in Branchbrook Park w/ my Montclair Bikery teammates. This season with some many new riders, my coach has names me cat4/5 emperor for the team. Meaning they leadout me, I sprint, we win....well sort of. I've mainly just been trying to organize our guys and trying to coordinate training and racing together, the best part is being a 22year old kid bossing around a bunch of hapless 30-40 year olds for 3hrs on Saturday mornings. Its been the highlight of my training so far.
Being on two teams means having to do the same job again and again, so naturally I'm sorta guiding the newbies during the week at Stevens. By guiding I mean, yelling cycling related acronyms such as FTP, VO2max, and ITT during intervals and recounting tales of being dropped while hungover. Hopefully they take my sage advice to heart during the ITT on Saturday morning.
In light of training new teammates and taking a que from Senor Kyle Bruley, I present a very articulate article on proper sprinting techniques and training. The author of a very well respected blogger and BFer(I swear this dude posts every 5min) and his posts have definitely helped me develop as a sprinter and racer alike.
http://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.com/2007/02/how-to-working-on-sprinting.html
On a completely unrelated note; what the hell is the deal with all this snow? Global warming, climate change, book of revelations, blah blah blah, whatever the reason is; I'm sure if some of the ECCC(eh em Joe K eh em) higher ups make some type of sacrifice to the cycling gods we can have some awesome spring weather come Saturday.
As far as tire decisions go; I had my heart set on the Vittoria's. But due to some unforseen purchases(thanks senior design and a frugal engineering dept) I have had to put off this purchase for another week or two. Thankfully I have set of training tires ready to go for this weekend. Since my last post I have spent my Saturday mornings training in Branchbrook Park w/ my Montclair Bikery teammates. This season with some many new riders, my coach has names me cat4/5 emperor for the team. Meaning they leadout me, I sprint, we win....well sort of. I've mainly just been trying to organize our guys and trying to coordinate training and racing together, the best part is being a 22year old kid bossing around a bunch of hapless 30-40 year olds for 3hrs on Saturday mornings. Its been the highlight of my training so far.
Being on two teams means having to do the same job again and again, so naturally I'm sorta guiding the newbies during the week at Stevens. By guiding I mean, yelling cycling related acronyms such as FTP, VO2max, and ITT during intervals and recounting tales of being dropped while hungover. Hopefully they take my sage advice to heart during the ITT on Saturday morning.
In light of training new teammates and taking a que from Senor Kyle Bruley, I present a very articulate article on proper sprinting techniques and training. The author of a very well respected blogger and BFer(I swear this dude posts every 5min) and his posts have definitely helped me develop as a sprinter and racer alike.
http://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.com/2007/02/how-to-working-on-sprinting.html
On a completely unrelated note; what the hell is the deal with all this snow? Global warming, climate change, book of revelations, blah blah blah, whatever the reason is; I'm sure if some of the ECCC(eh em Joe K eh em) higher ups make some type of sacrifice to the cycling gods we can have some awesome spring weather come Saturday.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Decisions Decisions...
With the season a mere 3 weeks away its time to start tuning up the machine that I will be racing on. Last season a acquired my trustie Tarmac 'Suzie' after my late trek madone had a losing argument with a car door. Alas, my humble steed Suzie did not disappoint in 2009; I have been very good keeping in top condition. Other than the regular upkeep which has pretty much been done already the only thing missing is some new tires to start the 2010 road season with.
Some racers are very anal when it comes to what tires they race and train on. Some have training and 'race only' tires, while others use the same for training and racing. Some train on one psi while race on a different psi, etc etc so on and so on. I typically use the same tires to train and race all year and replace them as necessary. For the last two season I have raced on maxxis detonators; personally I can't complain about this tire at all. Reasonable price at 35 bucks a pop, very grippy in the turns, great in the rain, and pretty durable(very rarely do I get a pinch flat). Once again I am considering racing again on them, but have considered different tires.
Aside from the detonators I have two other possible suitors. Vittoria Rubino and Michelin Pro Race 3s. I have heard nothing but good things about both tires, for both training and racing they are both great deals. Luckily I have found them to be relatively the same price; so I comes down to looking at the specs, aesthetics, and public opinion. So to all those reading this; give me some advice on which tires to race on for 2010. The right tire can make or break my season; or at least give me less flats while training. Whatever, the point is any sort of opinions and advice is appreciated. I plan to place my order to tires this week, so don't delay on suggestions. Also if suggest any other tires that are better let me know, so long as they are in my price range.
Some racers are very anal when it comes to what tires they race and train on. Some have training and 'race only' tires, while others use the same for training and racing. Some train on one psi while race on a different psi, etc etc so on and so on. I typically use the same tires to train and race all year and replace them as necessary. For the last two season I have raced on maxxis detonators; personally I can't complain about this tire at all. Reasonable price at 35 bucks a pop, very grippy in the turns, great in the rain, and pretty durable(very rarely do I get a pinch flat). Once again I am considering racing again on them, but have considered different tires.
Aside from the detonators I have two other possible suitors. Vittoria Rubino and Michelin Pro Race 3s. I have heard nothing but good things about both tires, for both training and racing they are both great deals. Luckily I have found them to be relatively the same price; so I comes down to looking at the specs, aesthetics, and public opinion. So to all those reading this; give me some advice on which tires to race on for 2010. The right tire can make or break my season; or at least give me less flats while training. Whatever, the point is any sort of opinions and advice is appreciated. I plan to place my order to tires this week, so don't delay on suggestions. Also if suggest any other tires that are better let me know, so long as they are in my price range.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
It may still be winter....
But the road season is just around the corner, the season starter at Rutgers is a mere 4 weeks away on March 6. In order to keep the brain from becoming fried from the mind numbing hum of the trainer and to remind of some nicer weather, I present the following video brought to you by a my very good friend herb of jvs.
Monday, February 1, 2010
New Team Kit for 2010
Here it is:
For this season we went w/ Hincapie Sports rather than Champion Systems. Personally I've never used Hincapie before, but from what I've seen so far they look to be mighty comfy.
For this season we went w/ Hincapie Sports rather than Champion Systems. Personally I've never used Hincapie before, but from what I've seen so far they look to be mighty comfy.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Race schedule slowly coming together
After much waiting, the venerable Charlie Issendorf has finally released the title Sponsor for 2010 Prospect Park Series. For the past two years, Cadence Multisport has been the title sponsor for this racing series. This year Lucarelli & Castaldi will be the new title sponsor for 2010. Prospect Park racing has been the meat of my season for the last two years, and this year will be no different. Typically Prospect Park always has a races going Saturdays and Sundays, but it is always the "Cup Series" that draws the biggest, nastiest, hairiest fields.
It is in these races at Prospect that I have learned the most. This season I hope to go from the dark horse in the race to a marked man. Most of my races there last season, I was always a dark horse during the race with no one paying attention to anything I did. If I were a breakaway rider, that would be awesome...unfortunately that is not the case. No teamates = no leadout = not a good sprint position. Luckily I have several new teammates at Montclair and Stevens so I should have plenty of help this season, and with a little luck and planning I should be able to take a few sprints this season at one of my all time favorite venues.
As far as USAC and ECCC races; most of schedule is set. Unfortunately I won't be able to do all the ECCC races this season thanks to a heavy senior workload. Its bitter sweet, as this will be my last year racing in college. But such is life....
Less ECCC races means more NJ racing, which is great for me as it means less driving and not having to be up crazy early to get to races on time.
There has been lots going on at Stevens, especially since we are once again hosting our own race and co-hosting a race weekend with Princeton. Flyers for both will be out shortly, so keep your eyes open for those.
It is in these races at Prospect that I have learned the most. This season I hope to go from the dark horse in the race to a marked man. Most of my races there last season, I was always a dark horse during the race with no one paying attention to anything I did. If I were a breakaway rider, that would be awesome...unfortunately that is not the case. No teamates = no leadout = not a good sprint position. Luckily I have several new teammates at Montclair and Stevens so I should have plenty of help this season, and with a little luck and planning I should be able to take a few sprints this season at one of my all time favorite venues.
As far as USAC and ECCC races; most of schedule is set. Unfortunately I won't be able to do all the ECCC races this season thanks to a heavy senior workload. Its bitter sweet, as this will be my last year racing in college. But such is life....
Less ECCC races means more NJ racing, which is great for me as it means less driving and not having to be up crazy early to get to races on time.
There has been lots going on at Stevens, especially since we are once again hosting our own race and co-hosting a race weekend with Princeton. Flyers for both will be out shortly, so keep your eyes open for those.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
New Year, New goals
So with 2010 finally here, I guess its only inevitable that I post my goals for the year. Last season had plenty of ups and downs. My spring was so so, results really weren't there but at least I had a blast racing in the ECCC. The USAC season also had its ups and downs from beginning to end. Rather than post my lack of results, I will post what I learned this season.
1. Booze before a race is never a good idea
1.a unless you're totally having a blast with awesome teammates and could care less about the race the next day
2. Recovery is arguably the most important aspect of training, if your legs are tired from a long week of workouts expect to do poorly.
3. In the 4s, pack position is way more important than being fitter than everyone else
2009 was definitely a learning experience for me. By the end of the season I was a completely different racer from the one I was back in February. I go into the 2010 season as much smarter, fitter and disciplined racer. I really did learn a lot other than what I said, and really look forward to putting that into action this season. I'm finishing up base training this month and the powertap has really helped me become more focused and disciplined over the last few months. At this point it can only help as I move forward into Build in a few weeks as well as the coming races. As for 2010 goals, here they go....
1. Win 3 field sprints
1.a I learned last season that I'm definitely a sprinter and can knock around with almost anyone with no fear of crashing.
1.b I finally better pack position in crits, so that should translate to better position going into the sprint
2. Not miss races due to oversleeping and not leaving early enough
2.a I missed both the state road race and crit last season due to oversleeping and not leaving early enough to get there in time. No way that's happening this year
3. Help out new teammates at Montclair/Stevens with racing, training, etc
3.a tons of teammates between my club team and collegiate team. I will definitely help them out with everything I've learned and hopefully we can help each other out as the season progresses
4. Have as much fun as possible within certain limits
4.a don't do #1 from above
2010 looks to be a good season with some awesome races anticipated from both the spectacular ECCC and the awesome guys at Kissena
1. Booze before a race is never a good idea
1.a unless you're totally having a blast with awesome teammates and could care less about the race the next day
2. Recovery is arguably the most important aspect of training, if your legs are tired from a long week of workouts expect to do poorly.
3. In the 4s, pack position is way more important than being fitter than everyone else
2009 was definitely a learning experience for me. By the end of the season I was a completely different racer from the one I was back in February. I go into the 2010 season as much smarter, fitter and disciplined racer. I really did learn a lot other than what I said, and really look forward to putting that into action this season. I'm finishing up base training this month and the powertap has really helped me become more focused and disciplined over the last few months. At this point it can only help as I move forward into Build in a few weeks as well as the coming races. As for 2010 goals, here they go....
1. Win 3 field sprints
1.a I learned last season that I'm definitely a sprinter and can knock around with almost anyone with no fear of crashing.
1.b I finally better pack position in crits, so that should translate to better position going into the sprint
2. Not miss races due to oversleeping and not leaving early enough
2.a I missed both the state road race and crit last season due to oversleeping and not leaving early enough to get there in time. No way that's happening this year
3. Help out new teammates at Montclair/Stevens with racing, training, etc
3.a tons of teammates between my club team and collegiate team. I will definitely help them out with everything I've learned and hopefully we can help each other out as the season progresses
4. Have as much fun as possible within certain limits
4.a don't do #1 from above
2010 looks to be a good season with some awesome races anticipated from both the spectacular ECCC and the awesome guys at Kissena
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