Taking Stock

This past offseason I decided that whenever possible I would do masters races. My reasoning was simple: I am getting old. I'm 36 (that's racing age 37). OK, that's not really old, but in bike racing it's getting up there. Then the season arrived, and my old thinking that I could possibly do well in the 4's came to the fore (as it were). Plus, we have a lot of 4's on our team and it always seems better to ride with teammates to work on tactics and general team riding. And to boot we have some strong 4's who can benefit from the teamwork. So this year, out of the four races I've done, only my first race of the year was a 35+ race.

But now I am revisiting my offseason thoughts. I have a long view of my cycling "career." With two small kids, I simply can't devote the kind of time and effort to bike racing that's needed to really move up the ranks. Cycling is an obsession, no doubt about it, and I can honestly say to myself that I am doing everything I can to get better. There's no wasted time in my schedule. And where has this effort gotten me in terms of results? Exactly nowhere. Pretty frustrating. So I look to the future, more specifically the 45+ days. Seriously, that is my goal: to be competitive like 8 years from now.

I looked at the results of Bear Mountain earlier, and while there are certainly some guys as old or older than me who did very well, most of the top finishers are in their 20s. I can't compete with some 23-year-old cat 4 who trains like a madman. (Of course that 23-year-old will be a 3 soon enough, but whatever, a new young buck will come up to fill his shoes.) Is this bitching? Sure. Is there some truth to it too? Sure.

Now, I am not so dumb as to think that the answer to my results drought is switching to the masters field. The masters field is chock-full of hammers—cat 1's and 2's who just happen to be over 35. Will I get my ass handed to me? Sure. But can I hope to improve slightly as the years tick by? Sure. That somehow seems more appealing to me now than trying to scale the results in the 4's. Plus, the masters just sort of seems like the right place for me, the field with guys who have kids and stuff. OK, not all of them have kids, but they're at least, well, older.

It's funny, because what really brought me back to thinking about switching to riding masters races again was an e-mail from a teammate about how he recruited two of his friends to join our team. These are all young guys and they're all strong. Their plan is to upgrade ASAP and for them that is a totally reasonable goal. It got me thinking, what is my plan? Why do I race in the 4's? Is it to upgrade? Well, fat lot of chance on that front. So if I don't think I can get results in the 4 races, why bother doing them? We'll see how this plan pans out, but I am considering switching to the 35+ field for Housatonic to test out my theory that I'll be happier in the masters field.

-Ian

Big Apple Bicycle Classic — Race Report

Big Apple Bicycle Classic, May 10, 2008 Prospect Park

photo by Team Organic Athlete


As stated previously, the goal on Saturday was to race smarter. Was it accomplished? For the most part, I think so. I wasn't sure what to expect of the field for the rather grandly titled Big Apple Classic Bicycle Classic (it sounds like a real race, not just another jaunt around the park). It was the day before Bear Mountain and clearly some people would be looking to not kill themselves 24 hours before tackling the biggest race of the year so far. Still, the race was only 8 laps in Prospect Park, a measly 27 miles, so it's not like you wouldn't have time to recover for Sunday. What's more, there are plenty of guys in my boat, i.e., guys who can't make Bear cause of the Mother's Day issue—and for those guys, there's no reason not to go for it 100%. And most importantly, this was a race! Why bother to show up (not to mention pay money) only to roll around in the park for a training ride?! So, a race we had.

First, before I discuss my personal race, a boring side note: It was about 50 degrees for the start and a bit wet out from rain the previous day and night. That is just about the most challenging temp for me to dress for. It's so easy to be too cold or too hot. I hate it! As it is, I wore my long sleeve jersey with my Craft chest windshield base layer thingy. I was hot—and not in a good way. Next time, short sleeve jersey with wool armwarmers.

To the race…

Kissena had good representation in the 4's, with me, Eloy, Dave Trimble, Eric "The Red Baron" Robertson, Ricardo Sanchez and Clayton Bruckert. With five guys in the field, I always feel we have some responsibility to work as a team. I don't know why I feel this, but I do. We've actually been pretty good at riding as a team this year, which is great. I feel we could talk to each other more in the races and come up with some plans as the races unfold. It's something to work on.

Once the race kicked off, I quickly moved into the top 15 and was determined not to waste any energy unnecessarily. I quickly noted there were about four Westwood Velo guys in the field. Even in the 4's WWV is a team to watch. The good team riding these guys do in the higher cats trickle down to their less experienced guys. They know how to race and they have a bunch of hammers, so I decided early to watch them. The first couple of laps saw the usual go-nowhere attacks, where guys sprint 150 meters or so off the front and then sit up. What is with that?! I mean if you attack, go for it! Might as well keep your head down and kill it for as long as you can. Unless you're just sprinting off the front for a warm-up or something.

One the third or fourth lap., at the top of the hill, one of the Westwood Guys kind of rolled off the front. A guy in a Park Avenue Bicycles kit went with him. I was sitting third or fourth wheel when another WWV guy started to jump across. "This could be it!" I thought, and jumped on the chasing Westwood guy's wheel. He brought us up to the other two and we started to rotate before the third street entrance. Although we all traded pulls, only me and the Park Ave. guy seemed really into the move. We were not going that fast and when I turned around by 15th street, the field was on us. The move was short, and I had used some energy for sure, but it was not a waste. That was a good move to get into and I think if the Westwood duo had been more willing to turn up the speed, we would've stayed away longer.

I settled back into the pack. With three or so to go, our field was neutralized for maybe a 1/4 lap as the cat 5's passed us on the way to their finish (slightly embarrassing, but almost inevitable when you run more than 3 fields in the park). I hate being neutralized as it gives everyone a chance to recover, which inevitably means the race will go to a field sprint. Thus resigned, I was preparing myself mentally to fight for a top 10 finish (and the $30 that would go with it).

With two to go, Eloy attacked on the hill. I didn't see him go, but when I rolled up to the front by the top of the hill I could see him off there on his own. Around third street, Dave Trimble rode up and said, "When Eloy comes back, Ricardo will go, then you go, and then I'll go." I nodded and said OK. The only thing was, Eloy wasn't coming back! He was continuing to add to his advantage on the pack. I tried to play the good teammate and block for him. I was perfectly positioned, sitting second wheel, and when the first guy to chase pulled off to let me through, I pulled off with him. Finally, another guy came through and I quickly got on his wheel. When it came down to it, I was amazed that only these two guys were willing to work to bring Eloy back—the Park Ave guy I was off the front with earlier and a big Setanta guy. But their chase was inconsistent and herky jerky, while Eloy steadily motored ahead. We came down the hill and Eloy was still out there! It was becoming an epic move. Somewhere around here, Dave T appeared again to tell me he wasn't sure where Rick was, and I should go next. Another nod and OK. Finally, a little before the parking lot entrance, the big Setanta rider buried himself and Eloy's nearly lap-long solo was over. I hesitated for a second as we rolled up near Eloy and then I attacked. I knew this was the end of my race, as in no sprint for the top 10. I had no illusions of staying away, but as I hit the bottom of the hill alone, I was thinking, "If I can just make it to the top on my own, I'll be happy." I rolled over the top alone and the field caught me somewhere between the hill and 3rd street. Again, it was the right move. A smart use of my energy and the right move for sure, teamwise.

I didn't see Dave T attack, but he countered my move and stayed away through the downhill. Three attacks in the last 2 laps was great team riding, and put the onus on the field to chase at the end of the race. Of course, we had The Red Baron in the field, and he was obliged to do no work while we were off the front. Actually, Eric's only job is to stay out of trouble and wait for the sprint, which he does with aplomb. It's so nice to have a good sprinter on the team. Eric is our ace in the hole. We can try to kill ourselves all race knowing that he'll be there at the finale to uncork it. It's a nice position to be in, teamwise. Of course, he's winning so many races that he'll soon be gone from the 4's, and then we'll have to come up with a new plan, or anoint a new sprinter.

To sum it up, Eric won! A good team effort and I was satisfied with my race. I still want to get a break going in the park, but it is tough to do. Might have to attack with a teammate and see how long we can hold out.

This week is a rest week and I will try to get my bike in order with a cleaning and some maintenance.

-Ian

No More Mr. Do-Nothing

Let's see, I haven't posted anything since January. Well, I can say that training this year has so far been more consistent than previous years and I've raced three times so far this spring. Nothing to show for my efforts in terms of results, but I don't feel like I'm worse than before, so at least that's good.

This year, one new wrinkle to my training is that I've been working with a coach. As I haven't been actually paying my coach, I'd say that he's more of a "consultant" at this point. But still, the advice is helpful and having a training plan designed by someone else takes some of the guesswork out of what to do on a daily basis, plus it saves me some precious time that I simply don't have to figure out my training on my own. So... has having a coach helped me? Not yet, I would say. But this year I will try something slightly different, which is to really focus on the latter half of the season and heading into cyclo-cross. So, I am not in top shape right now--not by a long shot. Psychologically, that should allow me to sort of forget about these early season races, but of course when I line up to race I get all hyper and want to do well. Must... chillax!

Which brings me to tomorrow, and the first "other Kissena" race of the season. Tomorrow I am going to ride smart. No wasting energy unnecessarily. First off, I am giving up the solo attacks in the park, as there's no freaking way I can TT away from the field and solo in for the Fabian Cancellara style victory. Instead, I will hang at the front and if a strong group goes, I will tag along. Successful breaks are so rare in the 4's and for some reason seem to be getting rarer (though that last thought may not be true and may be more of a projection on my part--not really sure). And it can be hard to judge sometimes what's a good move.You might think the good move is the one with the strongest guy in the race in it, but that guy is often marked so heavily that the field shuts him down everytime he goes. In theory, Allesandro from BVF is the guy to go with, but then again, maybe not. Getting in a break isn't a science, and there's no sure thing, so I'll just have to see.

The second plan for tomorrow is that if it's all too clear no breaks will stick, I am fucking sprinting! Yes, I will try to help Eric in the sprint but with 10 places (and 10th is good for $30) I am not holding back. I don't think I can win a field sprint in the park (I have sprinted mano a mano against Eric, and that dude is faaast), but I do think I can place in one. And so, if there is no break, I will go for the sprint. Or perhaps a preme. I will have to see.

Anyway, the main point for tomorrow is race smart. No wasted energy, no moves that don't put me or a teammate in the hunt for the WIN!

-Ian

Jan 24--Rest Week & Local Doping

I've been on a rest week all this week. It's probably good I'm trying to keep a real structured training plan this season, because I don't feel that I truly earned this rest week, yet if I didn't take it I'd undoubtedly end up burning myself out earlier. February will be a massive amount of hours (massive for me, that is). Still base training, of course, so no real intensity. But I will do my best to hit the 10 to 12 hours/week mark for the next training block. The annoying challenge--as ever--will be to fit in the long base hours when the weather is such crap. (Although, the weather this winter in NYC has so far been relatively mild, so we may get lucky in Feb. too.) I dream of being able to supplement my outdoor riding with trainer work, but that will have to wait for when we have a new apartment with a setup that allows me to actually ride the trainer without massive amounts of hassle. As I said, I dream...

Had an interesting talk with a fellow on another local team about doping in the NYC peloton. Seems that this guy is pretty sure that his own teammates are into performance enhancers of the non-legal variety. It makes sense. There are plenty of very very wealthy local racers who can afford to get the products, and afford the medical help to use them correctly. I don't think it's a large number of people by any means, but I have no doubt that a few of our local bigshots are in fact doping. Ridiculous that people would dope to race in Prospect Park, or even regionally. But we know the stuff works, and the temptation to "help yourself out" with some products is no doubt great for some folks who just really really like to win. I think if there was drug testing at local races, we might be surprised at the results. Something to think about...

-Ian

Jan 24--The Future Is Slipstream

I finished David Walsh's book From Lance To Landis a while ago, but just never really found time to comment on it. Then this week I listened to Jonathan Vaughters interviewed on Competitor Radio in December, and it brought the whole issue of doping in cycling back into my mind.

Anyway, the Vaughters interview is great because he truly has his head on right. To Vaughters, there is no one person or entity to blame for the doping crisis in cycling. It almost doesn't matter who's to blame, in fact. His view is, let's just try to fix the problem, as opposed to string somebody up for causing it.

As Vaughters says, doping is ingrained in the culture of the cycling. And it is that culture that he's trying to change through Slipstream. As he is quick to point out, all of the testing that Slipstream will do is the last piece of their program. First and foremost is that the team management is saying, "No matter what, we want you clean." In the past, directors would at best turn a blind eye to their riders' actions—the old don't ask, don't tell routine. (Of course, at worst, we had systematic team wide doping programs actually aided by the directors.)

Anyway, we'll see how Slipstream does this year in the races. They have to do well for all the talk to be worth anything. They can't be the funny little team whose riders are clean, but doesn't win. Vaughters is well aware of this too. Obviously, he thinks the team can and will win. I hope he's right.

As for From Lance To Landis, it essentially recaps much of what we've heard before about Armstrong (there's almost nothing about Landis in the book, despite the title--and a tiny bit about Tyler Hamilton, for good measure).

Jan 20-Sick!

Naturally, my nice 4 and a half hour ride on Thursday was followed by getting sick on Saturday. I'm OK now, but yesterday I had some kind of flu: 101 degree temperature, felt like I'd been hit by a truck, just awful. Slept like 17 hours and today I'm OK, but not enough to ride.

Illness happens, but it's particularly galling because I was on track to putting in some decent hours for this week. Unlike so many others out there, I don't have the weekend to chalk up big hours. Family responsibilities mean I can ride one day on the weekend, and the norm for that ride is 2 hours. Doing 3 and a half hours on Saturday and then 4 and a half on Sunday is just not possible for me. Not because of motivation, just a fact of parenting life. So...to lose even my 2 hour ride this weekend is a huge drag. Still, it's January and I can't worry all that much about a couple of missed days.

Next week is a rest week, so it's good to have some of the pressure off to eke out training time.

-Ian

Jan 17-What A Feelin'

Four-plus hours today. First time over the bridge in what must be months. Feels good to get a nice long endurance ride in. Honestly, I think about 45 minutes shorter would've been ideal. Now if I can just get in one long ride like this a week, I'll be doing great. Tomorrow going to check out the Chinese massage place in my neighborhood and see if I can get 20 minutes just on the legs. I need it.

-Ian

Meantime, cool cross video outta Portland.