Archive for the ‘Cycling’ Category
Monday, November 24th, 2008
In trouble:
A string of money-losing years, revolving-door management and criticism from some of its best-known cyclists are creating the biggest challenges to the bike racing track since its earliest years.
To the cycling community, the track is the crown jewel of the Lehigh Valley. But many of its members now say it no longer commands the Valley’s attention the way it once did.
If T-Town goes down it does not bode well for velodrome racing in the United States.
Posted by Smithers at 8:07 am in Cycling | Permalink | 13 Comments »
Monday, November 24th, 2008
You could promote the most awesome race in the entire universe.
No entry fee, great course, thousands of spectators, big sponsors, TV, magazines, everything you can imagine.
Someone would complain that they did not get sauerkraut on their free post race hot dog.
Posted by Smithers at 7:44 am in Cycling | Permalink | 35 Comments »
Friday, November 21st, 2008
Again, it depends upon the approval of the venue, but here is what I have in mind for race formats:
Category A (road or cross Cat 1-2-3)
Category B (road or cross Cat 4-5)
Single Speed (open)
If I get a big enough turnout of women (at least 6) then they maybe be able to have their own field.
Prelim Race 1
Category A - 5 minute sprint, all advance to FINALS A
Category B - 5 minute sprint, top 3 advance to FINALS A
Single Speed - 5 minute sprint, top 3 advance to FINALS A
Prelim Race 2
Category A - 10 minute MISS AND OUT, all advance to FINALS A
Category B - 10 minute MISS AND OUT, top 3 advance to FINALS A
Single Speed - 10 minute MISS AND OUT, top 3 advance to FINALS A
FINALS A - All Category A, Cat B and Single Speed qualifiers
20 minute Enduro
FINALS B - Remaining Cat B and Single Speed Riders
15 minute Enduro
FINALS races may be able to go longer depending upon the schedule. Above races may not necessarily be run in that order. All the above is subject to change.
A barrier may be dropped in for a lap every 5 minutes, barrier for the next lap will be signaled by a whistle.
That’s what I have come up with so far, let me know what you think.
Posted by Smithers at 1:28 pm in Local Cycling | Permalink | 8 Comments »
Friday, November 21st, 2008
Still kind of sad that the season is over with. I used this season to learn (or re-learn what I forgot from 11 years ago) the sport. Here is what I need to remember for next year:
- The start is important if you are a contender for the top placings, otherwise it does not really matter much at all.
- Off bike form, as in running fitness, can make a tremendous difference, especially late in the race.
- Getting over the barriers quickly and smoothly can make a big difference at crunch time. I found it easy to get or close a gap on someone who was not so quick and/or smooth.
- Low tire pressure allows for much more control but too low a pressure results in rolling the tire off the rim. I ran about 2.38 atmospheres all season, might have to bump up to 2.72 atmospheres for next season, or get with the tubulars.
- Cross specific training needs to start earlier in the summer, and I am not just talking about running. My plan is to continue to run over the winter and all next spring and summer. Cross specific workouts on the bike start for me in July. For those who don’t race road on weekends you should think about joining me for an early morning cross workout.
- Long sleeve skinsuits make me look fatter than I really am. Black skinsuits makes me look thinner than I really am.
- Problems are unavoidable. It’s important to stay calm during the race, don’t obsess about the problems and instead focus on speed and smoothness.
- Being familiar with the course before the start is critical. I went off course in at least two races because I did not have the course dialed before the start. I need to spend more time on course during warm up and really pay attention to where it goes.
- Figure out the correct technique for each specific part of the course and use it every lap. Run or ride, what line to take in the corners, etc. Have a plan for the course and follow it.
2008 was an experiment and an educational experience. 2009 will be more serious. Watch out Wah, you’re right, I’m hooked.
Posted by Smithers at 11:22 am in Cycling | Permalink | 3 Comments »
Thursday, November 20th, 2008
Brought the cross bike up to the National Sports Center artificial turf and tested things out. It’s just like riding on grass except it seems like you can corner a lot harder without slipping. I also tested out a rear wheel lock up to see the impact on the turf and I found no evidence of damage.
It’s a massive room, almost 15,000 square feet. Plenty of space to have a good racing course.
If my contact at the NSC gives me the green light then I think we will be all systems go for an indoor series starting in January.
The first night of the series would serve as a test for the rest of the series. Assuming there is no damage or problems then the series would continue.
It looks like beer on the premises would not be a problem. There is a cafeteria next to the field with a window to the field, beer would be restricted to that room.
If it works out it will be hilarious, a good workout, and a lot of fun.
More news to come after the Thanksgiving holiday.
Posted by Smithers at 1:43 pm in Local Cycling | Permalink | 26 Comments »
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
Having completed my first full year of a Minnesota cyclocross season I am now of course an expert!
I am not sure if the current system is the way things have always been for CROY, but the way the system was run for 2008 all races (with the exception of the state championships for some reason) gave CROY points and gave the same amount of points. All the races for the cross season were of equal value for CROY. I think that it should be done differently.
It is clear, without getting into the details, that some races are better than others. Better organization, better course, a better representation of what a cyclocross event should be. CROY, instead of rewarding these events and their promoters, actually rewards the events and promoters who organize 2nd tier races by valuing them at the same rate as the 1st tier races.
I understand the goal of supporting promoters and their races, and I am in favor of it within reason. But I am also a believer in the free market system when it comes to bike racing. Let the promoters charge what they want, design the course how they want, etc. The market will determine if the race is successful. CROY is artificially supporting some races by artificially inflating their real value.
I am not saying that these 2nd tier races should lose their participation in CROY, I just think that there needs to be an acknowledgment that some races should be worth more in the overall than others. In the end, because the cross season is so compressed in Minnesota, I find it hard to believe that if a particular event’s CROY points were reduced that it would mean a smaller turnout of participants. But I think it would be of value to give race promoters something to aspire to when they put their races together. If everyone is going to show up anyway, and all the points are the same regardless of event, where would my motivation be as a promoter to really bring my race up to the next level? If my race only awarded 50% CROY points compared to a tier 1 event then I might be motivated to make some changes to my event!
I think market pressures could also play a part in the season as well. Give the 1st tier events the protection of the race calendar with no conflict to assure that turnout remains high. However, what if I have a great idea for a new race and really believe that I could promote a good event, but the calendar is already full of events? Am I going to be shut out from the calendar? Or will I have the option of competition with a 2nd tier event?
Cross Rider of the Year, in my opinion, should reflect more than who won the most races. It should be used to put additional value in the races where the promoter goes the extra mile to give participants a true cyclocross experience.
Those of you who have raced cyclocross for more than one season may hold another opinion.
Posted by Smithers at 3:02 pm in Local Cycling | Permalink | 43 Comments »
Monday, November 17th, 2008
I am in the early stages of working on a racing series for January and February of 2009.
It would be an Indoor Cyclocross Criterium Series.
I am thinking of A/B/C races, 40 minute/30 minute/20 minute. Individuals would self select their racing category but I would probably have some general guidelines (Cat 1-2 in the 40 min race for example).
Every other weekend, racing starts around 9pm and goes until midnight.
Questions for readers:
- Are you interested?
- Would you take part?
- How much would you pay to take part? $15 too much?
- Oval course or something more complicated?
- Friday, Saturday or Sunday night for the races?
- Barriers or no barriers? Keep in mind that you would be turning laps pretty quickly and would have to hit that barrier every lap unless we figured out a way to put it in every 10 laps or so?
I need your feedback on this. If things work out I may have something to announce after Thanksgiving.
UPDATE 11/20/08 UPDATE HERE
Posted by Smithers at 4:55 pm in Local Cycling | Permalink | 46 Comments »
Monday, November 17th, 2008
Maybe it’s time to have a Twin Cities Cycling Bloggers Convention.
Meet, greet, eat, drink.
Maybe not eat…
Posted by Smithers at 10:26 am in Local Cycling | Permalink | 10 Comments »
Sunday, November 16th, 2008
Photo credit: Skinny Ski
Applauding and giving the “thumbs up” to a competitor who just beat you into second place. Classy indeed.
Posted by Smithers at 4:36 pm in Local Cycling | Permalink | 2 Comments »
Saturday, November 15th, 2008
Photo: Linda Sone - Women’s 2008 Minnesota State Cyclocross Champion
Best course of the year, worst luck of the year.
The course was fantastic. I had begged Baba to get a sand pit and he served as lobbyist to Hollywood who made it happen. The railroad tie stairs were employed. A triple barrier section and long flat sections into the headwinds all made for a long and tuff day. There was only one single thing I would change on the course but otherwise it was the best course of the year as far as I was concerned.
I had been sick some the previous week and yesterday I was thinking that I might have to take a pass on today. But I woke up this morning feeling OK so I made with the racing.
Ped, the Funkster and I set out for some warm up action when my problems started. Up the climb to the stairs my chain broke which launched me over the handlebars and to the dirt. I was immediately super pissed. There was less than 15 minutes before the start of the race, both my brake levers were twisted, my handlebars were turned down and my HUP jacket was now all muddy. Ray knows how much I like to keep clean.
Ped and Funkster pushed me back to my car where I had a spare chain ready. Ped broke his chain at Green Acres and I have kept a spare on hand ever since just in case someone needed it. I slapped the chain on, adjusted the brake levers and bars and got a quick lap in on the course to check things out. I did not realize it at the time but my rear derailleur hanger was also bent which kept me out of the smaller rear cogs for the whole race.
Everyone was lined up when I got back to the starting line but I found my usual spot at the back. The gun went off and I started to move up in preparation for the first pass through the sand pit. I knew that some other riders would not be able to make it through without a dismount and I did not want to get slowed up too much. I went to the right a bit when we hit the sand and cruised through with no problems. So far so good.
Over the triple barrier section and then a hard left turn where the trouble began. My tire burped around the corner. I had just seconds to decide if I should make a change before we went past the wheel pit but there were no signs of trouble until I was well past the wheels. On the approach to the climb I started to hear the familiar thump from the rear wheel that told me that the bead was working its way off the rim. I backed off and babied the wheel up to the stair climb in the hopes that I would be able to get to the pit before the tire blew. No such luck. Down the hill it gave up and I had to lump it all the way around the flat section until I got back to the wheels.
By the time I got my spare rear wheel in the frame I was over a half lap down. I was really tempted to hang up the race but I just could not bring myself to quit. Last race of the year and a fantastic course. So I just kept at it. The crowd at the sand pit was fun each lap, the crowd on the stair climb was incredible. Lots of cheers and encouragement, totally awesome.
I was able to catch back some guys so I did not have to finish last, but I am still a bit bummed at the bad luck on what could have been a really good day for me.
So, the question is after 2 rolled tires this year (today and Hudson 2) do I go with tubulars for next year or do I need to learn how to corner more carefully in order to prevent the tire from burping off the rim? I got advice to do both today so I am not sure.
Congrats to the 2008 State Champions on what was a cold and fast day.
Posted by Smithers at 10:20 pm in Race/Ride Report | Permalink | 17 Comments »
