It appears that my time matched pretty well with the official time 6:04:45 and 6:05. Tied with David for 126th place.
We beat out 23% of the racers in the field. Though only 133 people finished, as 32 DNFed.
Now it's time to start looking through the data (why the hell else do I have the fancy Garmin 500 and HRM?!)
The bonus tour at the start was 5.3m and 23:27. I'll go ahead and delete those and use the remainder as my time to work from: 5:41:18
I was stopped for 49:30, which is pretty bad, as it means I was stopped for 14.4% of the time I was racing! Ouch. 9 minutes was at Fire Tower SAG, 17 in Story, only about 2 minutes at the first checkpoint. 3:50 trying to figure out if a turn was or wasn't (hey, it had tape!)
Combs "Road" Okay, so I know now that I really need to work on my off road skills., and even the fast guys were walking pieces of that. However, on the way out I was stopped 5:17! One the way back, I did even worse and was stopped for 6:13! Yes, I was stopped to let people pass here and there, but damn! That's 23% of my total stopped time!
How about this, the first 40 miles, from the start to the beginning of Combs, only took 3:08, and I was stopped for less than 15 minutes! And that includes the extra 5.3m/23:27, take that out and you're looking at 35 miles and 2:45!
The final 24 miles took 2:57 and I was stopped for 35 minutes.
What does all this mean? Not a whole lot, really. However, looking at the numbers, means that next year, I could quite easily achieve a sub-5:30 time, and with adequate training sub-5:00 is possible.
What to work on:
Fueling. My eating and drinking has been based upon touring, not racing. Racing needs more calories, more consistently. As well as more fluids.
Off Road Skills. I haven't really ridden any type of trails since I was a kid on a BMX bike. This may entail turning Beast back into a flatbar bike and hitting the trails. Sadly, the trails are now pretty much off limits until spring (or a hard freeze) as riding on them in their current state will destroy them. Fire roads are an option as well, but those are more what I'm riding anyway. Riding the CX track could help some.
If anyone has any other suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Groveling through Gravel
Yesterday marked the very first time I have lined up for an organized bike race (racing for green signs doesn't count!) The reason was simple: Why Not? The event was the SRAM Gravel Grovel, this being its third running. 60ish miles of gravel, mud and hills in the Maumee/Story area of Brown County State Park.
Tim and David joined me, with a couple more intending to go, but other things got in the way.
I was more than a bit worried about the ride. I had heard there was a section of single track somewhere on the course, and I have little experience off road, and none on the new bike. The weather was also a concern, with the forecast having been calling for rain for nearly a week, and there having been rain for much of that time. Temps were also not going to be in my favor, pushing 60 with predicted wet weather is in that odd shoulder area where you just can't dress comfortably. I was hoping for colder. 40s would suit me fine. The rain would hold off, but the temps stayed. I'll call it a wash.
I packed and double checked I had all my gear loaded in the van the night before: Bike, helmet, hat, sweatcap, thin socks, heavy socks, shoecovers, armwarmers, wool gloves, mid-weight gloves and wool liners, jacket, windvest, heavy wool layer, shoes, pump, bottles, hydration pack, fuel, sunglasses. I laid out my other clothes the night before: bibshorts, midweight tights, compression tee, short sleeve wool, baggy knickers (mostly for wearing in and out of stores on the road) more socks and sandals. I had pretty much every clothing option available to me that I was willing to subject to the expected conditions.
The morning came quickly, with my alarm set for 5:30 and coffee and breakfast done and out the door by 6:10. A two hour drive to follow.
Upon arriving, I quickly spot Tim, but go ahead and go straight for the registration line before heading over to greet he and Dave, only to end up about 3 people behind Tim in line. The line moves quickly and I head back to the van to get the bike ready and make final clothing choices. Heavy socks, armwarmers and the short sleeve wool. Grab another banana and roll over to where David and Tim are.
Shortly the racer meeting starts, with descriptions of the course, rules of the road, etc. It seems to have done little good, as when the racers go to line up they do so in two very different areas, one at the correct point behind the SRAM pace vehicle, and the other group rides up to the top of the hill and main road. A few minutes of yelling to get people in the proper position and soon we roll out, only about 7 minutes past the official start time.
As we roll out behind the SRAM vehicle I notice a course marker, but since everyone else is going past it, I assume it's for later, a little under 3 miles later I'm faced with an entire peloton coming right back at me following the same pace vehicle, as it had missed the turn and taken us on a bit of an unplanned warm up ride. A bit over 5 miles and nearly 20 minutes before we're all back on the correct course. I'm now rather worried about making the 4:30 awards ceremony, with that time, totaling 6:30 from the start, being my goal time.
At this point Tim and Dave, who had both started off a bit harder than I, were nowhere to be seen, having dropped me before we had even gotten back on course. I go ahead and assume that either I'll see them at the checkpoints, or I won't and ride my ride.
I start finding my legs around mile 15 or so, and pass some people here and there on climbs, start getting used to the type of gravel under the tires and start bombing the descents. I run across another rider I've chatted with a bit before when doing the Old Kentucky Home Tour. We chat for several miles talking about our bikes and the shops we each work for, finally catching Dave, who had stopped to nibble on some food.
At the first checkpoint, I see Dave turn around immediately, so I follow suit, in an attempt to continue trying to ride with the group, only to see he was riding back to meet up with Tim, who had stopped there to fuel up. We each shove down our respective "food" of choice and roll off.
At this point my legs are feeling the best they will all day, and my confidence in my bike on these roads is running high. I tuck into a group only find that their pace just isn't to my liking, a bit too cautious down, and too plodding up. I decide to let my legs do what they want to do and just enjoy it. I start passing people, a good number of people, actually. Rather interesting feeling, actually. Not something I'm used to, being about 60lbs heavier than your average cyclist, and probably another 20 above most racers. I quickly reach the Fire Tower SAG and wait for Tim and Dave, who arrive shortly. We all opt to not partake of the swill, and leave quickly, with my legs still feeling good. I continue letting my body go at whatever rate it feels like going and soon hit Combs "Road".
Combs started out fairly navigable, and well within my skill-level, but quickly showed itself to be far above and beyond my experience. The muddy stream crossings were pretty manageable, riding through all on the way out, though walking one or two on the way back as they had become much more rutted by that point. The steep muddy climbs were more than I could keep traction on, and the tree crossings were something I had no intention of trying.
At some point on the way out, a low branch extended across the trail (road?) and, though I thought I'd gotten down enough to clear it, banged my helmet on it, and veered off the course and had the bike slide out from under me. I landed hard on my shoulder and clanked my helmet hard enough to give me a headache the rest of the day. Tim had already passed me at this point, having much more MTB experience than I, though I will catch and pass him once back on gravel on the way to the final checkpoint in Story.
Once there we regroup, enjoy some cider and more junk and get going. The first gravel climb has me off and walking, with Dave shortly behind me, and Tim making good use of his granny, never to be seen again. The trip back up Combs is uneventful, though my cautiousness after going down the first time through, lets Dave pass me and I don't see him for a couple miles back on the road.
As I catch up to him, I realize I have a minor problem, I'm out of water, having miscalculated how much I had left in my hydration pack leaving Story. He graciously offers to share half a bottle with me, and it makes a world of difference in how my legs feel. I push it on the last series of rollers and roll into camp for the finish.
My GPS showed a total time of 6:05, how that will stand up to my official time, we'll see. Regardless, I had a great time. The course was fun and challenging and at times brutal. As a first event of the type, it seems to offer a great mix of vital experience, to show what needs to be improved if one wishes to attempt the longer gravel races of the type (Almanzo, Ragnarok, DK200, TransIowa, etc)
How did my setup do? Pretty well, I can't think of many major changes I'd make.
I could go up to a 42 on the big ring, and down to a 24 or 26 on the small, but even those wouldn't make a difference on many places on the course.
If conditions were wetter, some more aggressive tires might help, but the Kozmik Lite IIs were so nice on the rest of the route, I'm not sure I'd change, even if I had to walk most of Combs.
Some more MTB like shoes, as the Touring types I wore just didn't have the tread for walking up the muddy sections (and I don't like messing up the suede) Toe spikes might even be handy.
Summary: Gravel is great and I look forward to doing more of these types of event.
Tim and David joined me, with a couple more intending to go, but other things got in the way.
I was more than a bit worried about the ride. I had heard there was a section of single track somewhere on the course, and I have little experience off road, and none on the new bike. The weather was also a concern, with the forecast having been calling for rain for nearly a week, and there having been rain for much of that time. Temps were also not going to be in my favor, pushing 60 with predicted wet weather is in that odd shoulder area where you just can't dress comfortably. I was hoping for colder. 40s would suit me fine. The rain would hold off, but the temps stayed. I'll call it a wash.
I packed and double checked I had all my gear loaded in the van the night before: Bike, helmet, hat, sweatcap, thin socks, heavy socks, shoecovers, armwarmers, wool gloves, mid-weight gloves and wool liners, jacket, windvest, heavy wool layer, shoes, pump, bottles, hydration pack, fuel, sunglasses. I laid out my other clothes the night before: bibshorts, midweight tights, compression tee, short sleeve wool, baggy knickers (mostly for wearing in and out of stores on the road) more socks and sandals. I had pretty much every clothing option available to me that I was willing to subject to the expected conditions.
The morning came quickly, with my alarm set for 5:30 and coffee and breakfast done and out the door by 6:10. A two hour drive to follow.
Upon arriving, I quickly spot Tim, but go ahead and go straight for the registration line before heading over to greet he and Dave, only to end up about 3 people behind Tim in line. The line moves quickly and I head back to the van to get the bike ready and make final clothing choices. Heavy socks, armwarmers and the short sleeve wool. Grab another banana and roll over to where David and Tim are.
Shortly the racer meeting starts, with descriptions of the course, rules of the road, etc. It seems to have done little good, as when the racers go to line up they do so in two very different areas, one at the correct point behind the SRAM pace vehicle, and the other group rides up to the top of the hill and main road. A few minutes of yelling to get people in the proper position and soon we roll out, only about 7 minutes past the official start time.
At this point Tim and Dave, who had both started off a bit harder than I, were nowhere to be seen, having dropped me before we had even gotten back on course. I go ahead and assume that either I'll see them at the checkpoints, or I won't and ride my ride.
I start finding my legs around mile 15 or so, and pass some people here and there on climbs, start getting used to the type of gravel under the tires and start bombing the descents. I run across another rider I've chatted with a bit before when doing the Old Kentucky Home Tour. We chat for several miles talking about our bikes and the shops we each work for, finally catching Dave, who had stopped to nibble on some food.
At the first checkpoint, I see Dave turn around immediately, so I follow suit, in an attempt to continue trying to ride with the group, only to see he was riding back to meet up with Tim, who had stopped there to fuel up. We each shove down our respective "food" of choice and roll off.
At this point my legs are feeling the best they will all day, and my confidence in my bike on these roads is running high. I tuck into a group only find that their pace just isn't to my liking, a bit too cautious down, and too plodding up. I decide to let my legs do what they want to do and just enjoy it. I start passing people, a good number of people, actually. Rather interesting feeling, actually. Not something I'm used to, being about 60lbs heavier than your average cyclist, and probably another 20 above most racers. I quickly reach the Fire Tower SAG and wait for Tim and Dave, who arrive shortly. We all opt to not partake of the swill, and leave quickly, with my legs still feeling good. I continue letting my body go at whatever rate it feels like going and soon hit Combs "Road".
Combs started out fairly navigable, and well within my skill-level, but quickly showed itself to be far above and beyond my experience. The muddy stream crossings were pretty manageable, riding through all on the way out, though walking one or two on the way back as they had become much more rutted by that point. The steep muddy climbs were more than I could keep traction on, and the tree crossings were something I had no intention of trying.
At some point on the way out, a low branch extended across the trail (road?) and, though I thought I'd gotten down enough to clear it, banged my helmet on it, and veered off the course and had the bike slide out from under me. I landed hard on my shoulder and clanked my helmet hard enough to give me a headache the rest of the day. Tim had already passed me at this point, having much more MTB experience than I, though I will catch and pass him once back on gravel on the way to the final checkpoint in Story.
As I catch up to him, I realize I have a minor problem, I'm out of water, having miscalculated how much I had left in my hydration pack leaving Story. He graciously offers to share half a bottle with me, and it makes a world of difference in how my legs feel. I push it on the last series of rollers and roll into camp for the finish.
How did my setup do? Pretty well, I can't think of many major changes I'd make.
I could go up to a 42 on the big ring, and down to a 24 or 26 on the small, but even those wouldn't make a difference on many places on the course.
If conditions were wetter, some more aggressive tires might help, but the Kozmik Lite IIs were so nice on the rest of the route, I'm not sure I'd change, even if I had to walk most of Combs.
Some more MTB like shoes, as the Touring types I wore just didn't have the tread for walking up the muddy sections (and I don't like messing up the suede) Toe spikes might even be handy.
Summary: Gravel is great and I look forward to doing more of these types of event.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
A muddy day: or more photo testing
The other day I went down on the new bike to check out the continued deterioration of the Riverwalk.
It looked a lot like this most of the way. Under a layer of leaves and about 4 inches of mud, there is pavement there.
Then it turned to looking a bit more like this. Yes that bridge is holding water
It looked a lot like this most of the way. Under a layer of leaves and about 4 inches of mud, there is pavement there.
Then it turned to looking a bit more like this. Yes that bridge is holding water
After about 3 miles of this, my bike looked like this
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Gravel Grovel training ride
Honestly, this is mostly a test post to work out easiest ways to get photos in stories.
At the parking lot:
Patrick
David
Tim
At the parking lot:
Patrick
David
Tim
And the couple on the road shots that looked decent (I took several with the phone in a ziplock, just to see how it turned out...don't bother)
It was a good day. A wet day. And with me not following my feeding plan, an exhausting day.
The New Bike
Hundreds of people just keep bugging me to fill them in on the details of my new ride. The speculation in the blogosphere and newsstand rags has become unbearable, so I thought I'd write a bit to help calm down the hysteria.
First off, it's a Origin-8 700CX frame. This is a steel monstercross frameset marketed by J&B Importers. 4130 Cromoly, triple-butted tubing, with room for 52c tires, disc or canti, fixed or geared, removable cable guides everywhere. There aren't a whole lot of bikes that are similar, many trend more towards rigid 29er frames or don't have the clearance for tires quite that large, or they're not disc compatible. Headset: Origin-8 as well.
I'll just go ahead and skip over the shoddy workmanship (workkidship?) of the frame, and the shoddier customer service that never resulted in a satisfactory fix.
Drivetrain: 2x9. Mountain double, Origin-8 Ultim-8 Sub Compact 175mm 40x28T. Integrated BB, single bolt. A whole lot nicer than you'd expect for the price. Running two different cassettes depending on conditions: 12-36 Shimano and 11-28 SRAM. If need be I can go down to a 22 on the inner ring, or up to a 44 on the outer.
Switchgear: Shimano Sora Brifters moving Deore RD-M592 and SLX FD-M661 derailleurs. Despite Shimano Road and Mountain shifters pulling different amounts of cable on the front derailleurs, it's close enough that with careful adjustment you can get a double to work. A triple would be way off.
Anchors: Avid BB5 brakes. Saves a few bucks over the BB7. Works.
Wheelset: WTB FX28/Shimano M629 with 32 spokes. A fairly inexpensive wheelset, that's way overbuilt for my uses. More all mountain than gravel. I figure sooner or later I'll build up a nicer set and consdier these my training set.
Bars: Salsa Cowbell 3. Most awesome purchase ever.
Tires: Currently running Kenda Kozmik Lite IIs. Seem reasonable. Pretty lightweight, carcass seems quite subtle. Pretty narrowly focused, near zero traction when it gets slick. Need to figure out the optimum pressure to run them. Have some Kenda Happy Medium 40mm on order, nearly 100gram lighter and 10mm narrower. Looking forward to giving those a try as well.
Time will tell how well it all works.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Events
I thought I'd put together a list of events I'd really like to do. All in one spot with dates, mileages and locations and any fees.
I'm already signed up for:
11-26-11 Gravel Grovel, 62m, Nashville, IN $35
Thinking about:
2/25 Southern Cross, 50+m, Delonega, GA $80
3/10 Sub-9 Death March, 50+m, Nashville, IN $??
3/24 Barry-Roubaix, 65m, Middleville, MI $50?
3/31 The Lowell 50, 50m, Lowell, MI $32.50
4/14 Ragnarok 105, 111m, Red Wing, MN $Free
4/28-29 B.A.L.L.S, 165m, Barnevel, WI $30
5/12, Almanzo 100, 100m, Spring Valley, Mn, $Free
5/27 HAC NCC Gravel Metric, 62m, DeKalb, IL, $10
6/2 Dirty Kanza, 200m, Emporia, KS, $???
6/9? West Side Dirty Benjamin, 100m, Carver County, MN, $Free.
6/16? TransWisconsin, 420m, ?WI, $???
6/23 Hilly Billy Roubaix, 70m, Morgantown,WV, $???
6/28-29 Trans Iowa V8, 340m, Grinnell, IA, $Free
9/22 Ronde-Van Stony, 40m, Shelby Township, MI, $50+5
9/23? Gentlemen's Ride, 100? MN? $Free
9/25? Three Peaks USA, 47m, Beach Mountain, NC, $60
10/9 Iron Cross, 62m, Michaux State Forest, PA, $???
10/06 Heck of the North, 100m, Duluth, MN, $Free.
10/27 Dirt Bag, 86m, Clearwater, MN $Free
19 events/races.
So what's in there? The entire Almanzo Gravel Road Series (AGRS), the entire American UltraCross Championship Series, and various others. It's more a wish list than a start list. I'd like to do at least one event each in WI, MN, MI. The 300+m events are highly unlikely. B.A.L.L.S is unlikely as it's Bourbon Sampler/Derby Mini/Dark Lord weekend (and probably several other events I'd love to make). Dirt Bag is Bourbon Chase weekend, I believe, so also unlikely.
If I can ride even 4 of those events I'll be happy.
Oops, forgot some:
8/18? , D2R2 Deerfield Dirt Road Randonnee. 100k,115k, 180k Shelburne Falls, MA, $80ish
4/14-15 Tour of the Battenkill, 64m, Cambridge, NY, $???
I'm already signed up for:
11-26-11 Gravel Grovel, 62m, Nashville, IN $35
Thinking about:
2/25 Southern Cross, 50+m, Delonega, GA $80
3/10 Sub-9 Death March, 50+m, Nashville, IN $??
3/24 Barry-Roubaix, 65m, Middleville, MI $50?
3/31 The Lowell 50, 50m, Lowell, MI $32.50
4/14 Ragnarok 105, 111m, Red Wing, MN $Free
4/28-29 B.A.L.L.S, 165m, Barnevel, WI $30
5/12, Almanzo 100, 100m, Spring Valley, Mn, $Free
5/27 HAC NCC Gravel Metric, 62m, DeKalb, IL, $10
6/2 Dirty Kanza, 200m, Emporia, KS, $???
6/9? West Side Dirty Benjamin, 100m, Carver County, MN, $Free.
6/16? TransWisconsin, 420m, ?WI, $???
6/23 Hilly Billy Roubaix, 70m, Morgantown,WV, $???
6/28-29 Trans Iowa V8, 340m, Grinnell, IA, $Free
9/22 Ronde-Van Stony, 40m, Shelby Township, MI, $50+5
9/23? Gentlemen's Ride, 100? MN? $Free
9/25? Three Peaks USA, 47m, Beach Mountain, NC, $60
10/9 Iron Cross, 62m, Michaux State Forest, PA, $???
10/06 Heck of the North, 100m, Duluth, MN, $Free.
10/27 Dirt Bag, 86m, Clearwater, MN $Free
19 events/races.
So what's in there? The entire Almanzo Gravel Road Series (AGRS), the entire American UltraCross Championship Series, and various others. It's more a wish list than a start list. I'd like to do at least one event each in WI, MN, MI. The 300+m events are highly unlikely. B.A.L.L.S is unlikely as it's Bourbon Sampler/Derby Mini/Dark Lord weekend (and probably several other events I'd love to make). Dirt Bag is Bourbon Chase weekend, I believe, so also unlikely.
If I can ride even 4 of those events I'll be happy.
Oops, forgot some:
8/18? , D2R2 Deerfield Dirt Road Randonnee. 100k,115k, 180k Shelburne Falls, MA, $80ish
4/14-15 Tour of the Battenkill, 64m, Cambridge, NY, $???
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Choices
I've always had problems with choices. Trying to figure out which of many options is the best use of my time or money or whatever. I can't have or do it all, nor do I want to. I'd like to not screw up and have to spend more of my time/money/whatever correcting the choice I've made.
Now is a time of many choices, which need to be finalized. It is race entry time. In the next month or so I need to go through a list of events for next year and decide which I'd like to do, can afford to do, and do without killing myself. I then need to figure out when entry for those events is, how to enter, etc.
Even after I go through all that, then comes this reality: I've never competed in these events, and many give preference to veterans. I could very likely get wait-listed and not get to enter my preferred choices. That means I should possibly try to enter more than I can possibly begin to afford to enter/complete/travel to.
There's one event I'd love to do one day, but I don't feel like I'm ready to tackle it yet, however every year the odds of getting a spot at the start get worse. Should I even think about trying to enter, when I know I'll chicken out? What about events on conflicting/consecutive weekends? Knowing I won't likely get into every event (or most for that matter), should I really load the deck that way?
Many of the paid events I have a better shot of getting into, but once paid, I'd hate to have to drop out due to lack of funding for the trip.
Any sage advice? Or does anyone know of any events they are thinking about doing, so perhaps travel expenses can be split?
Now is a time of many choices, which need to be finalized. It is race entry time. In the next month or so I need to go through a list of events for next year and decide which I'd like to do, can afford to do, and do without killing myself. I then need to figure out when entry for those events is, how to enter, etc.
Even after I go through all that, then comes this reality: I've never competed in these events, and many give preference to veterans. I could very likely get wait-listed and not get to enter my preferred choices. That means I should possibly try to enter more than I can possibly begin to afford to enter/complete/travel to.
There's one event I'd love to do one day, but I don't feel like I'm ready to tackle it yet, however every year the odds of getting a spot at the start get worse. Should I even think about trying to enter, when I know I'll chicken out? What about events on conflicting/consecutive weekends? Knowing I won't likely get into every event (or most for that matter), should I really load the deck that way?
Many of the paid events I have a better shot of getting into, but once paid, I'd hate to have to drop out due to lack of funding for the trip.
Any sage advice? Or does anyone know of any events they are thinking about doing, so perhaps travel expenses can be split?
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