Let's Be Honest

To everyone who complains about taking any bike race too seriously.  Bike racing, no matter the level, is hard.  And it's populated with aggressive type personalities.  It may be amateur racing but everyone takes it seriously (especially the ones that say they don't).  Put a bunch of alpha-males (and females) in a tight space and jack up the adrenaline and what happens?  Drama happens.

those aren't racing tactics, but ....

So The Facingbook is all a lit with stories of last nights epic Pacific Raceways event which pitted Apex against pretty much every decent American.

First we need to clear the air about one thing.  I did not, and I believe most everyone will back me up here, throw a porta-potty at anyone nor insult their mother (loud enough to hear anyway).

What I did, in my outside voice, was present a careful and reasoned argument for why YOU WERE DOING IT WRONG AND NOW I AM HULKING OUT !1!!!!!.

So to clarify my point:

1. When passing another field that is either sprinting for a prime or finishing it is most assuredly not cool for riders to raise the pace.  The main reason is that the field being passed, in the heat of the finish, can't tell we're not them and it influences the results by giving a lift to riders who jump into the train*
2. It's 100% cool to not work in breaks.  And you certainly aren't there to help other teams.  But you're tactics should directly support your stated objectives.  It's my experience that putting multiple riders in breaks and then forcing splits by sitting up in the paceline or drilling it so gaps form rarely have any tactical value (maybe in the actual finish but not when trying to establish the break).  

Now I know I may have used some more colorful language.  But look at it this way: Apex isn't the first team to engage in either or both of the above.  At least they didn't knock a cone into the field and then use the ensuing chaos to attack (I am looking at you OTB!).  Or sprint across the drag strip even though you've crashed doing that exact thing multiple time.  And let's be honest -- there is really no reason why we get prime bells or 2 lap to go signs right before we catch a field either.  And the PR 1/2/3 field is always wierd -- there is a lowest common denominator quality to the field that guarantees that guys ride stupid.  It just is.  

Let me just suggest that it's better to be the smug, arrogant asshole dishing out #hardcandy than the guy who deserves it.

*and don't get me started on using field passing to cause splits.  That list of riders is long and accomplished.

Awaken the Panther Within

Are you ready to do cycling battle with startled, old Panther?  Just make sure you are wearing a cup cause we are coming in hot.

Compact Cranks are Stupid

Just a reminder that compact cranks are stupid stupid stupid.  At least for Time Trials.  Real men roll front 54s! Even if that means racing 54-23 to turn the cranks.

KR is gonna smack some dirt

I'd write up our 2013 Mason Lake adventure but, frankly, it wasn't that funny.  Here's Phillips race report to prove it.  The good part is that I finished my first road race since completing rehab on my back.  Despite my seat post trying to take me out by coming loose in the last 2 laps.  Well suck it seat post.  I am better than you.  The better part is that I cleanly set Randy up to make the winning break and got to sit in for the next 4.8 laps.

Instead, I will simply let you know that KR Olds are also KR Hards and are off next weekend to rage the Gran Fondo Ephrata.  Good times and much suffering to be had by all.



I look forward to a much funnier race report from Sean next week.

A Study In Pain

What's more exciting than a road race report?  A Time Trial race report!  Because they are always different. ALWAYS.

Ice Breaker Time Trial:

9:30 God I love Erik Olsen -- finally an organizer who isn't making me sign in at 4am in the morning for a 10:12 start time (I'm looking at you Neal).  Had time to hug my kids, take a shower and even warm up.  And this new TT bike which I picked up last night looks great.  Maybe I should have made sure the saddle height is dialed since it's an integrated seat-post -- nah.  Nothing could go wrong.

9:31 Uh oh.

9:45 Hey Matti, can I borrow your saddle?  The saddle height is kind high and since I can't cut down the seat post (integrated!) I need a saddle with lower rail height -- really?  ah thanks man!  You're the greatest!

9:47 Custom diameter rails????? Are you *&^king kidding me?  Settle down settle down.  You can figure this out.

10:00 OK -- as long as the refs don't disqualify me if I point the saddle tip down I can effectively drop the saddle height.  This will work!

10:12 Ok!  I am going to kill this.  Laugh it up Phillips.  Let's see how funny I am when I lap you.  On an out and back course.  Yah, that's gonna happen and it's gonna happen hard my friend.

10:14 I am crushing this!  I've never felt so fast and rolling the big ring and my 11!  Feels so easy!

10:16 How is Phillips passing me???? I'm maxed out on my gearing?

10:34 ZiQuan just passed me!  Isn't he my 10 minute man????

11:00 This bike came with a compact crankset?  I hate myself right now.

Lesson: set your bike up before the race.