#‎0of30‬ Volume 12 Issue 5: Riders to Watch

The 2nd Annual Buckley Slough Kermesse is Sunday July 24th. As you get ready to line up for 30 miles of suffering here are the top 3 riders to watch of the confirmed start list.

1. Ludo Max, current Cascadia Gravel Champion. Max has proven to be a gritty rider. Generally favoring a road bike laced up with Gatorskins his specialty has been to weather the attacks thrown down by riders using gravel-specific set-up and then take advantage of the extra speed his ride gives him in the last few laps.

2. Michael Brazel, current King off Sectors and 2013 Series Champion.Brazel is an aggressive rider who can sit in for the win but is more happy throwing a grenade into the field and seeing what shakes out. He will be rocking the red jersey of the current leader of the King of Sectors, our version of the most aggressive rider competition.

3. Alfredo Ramirez, current series leader. Ramirez is riding for the series win and he isn't afraid to let current series champion Pruitt know it. He has already provided the promoter with his jersey measurements and is racing to win. So far he's taken advantage of his superior sprinting ability to take points in every race.

Keep and eye out for these riders -- you probably don't want them in your group when you're coming into the finish.

Register for ‪#‎BSK‬ now at https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=74714&owner=1

USAC Points: Now with more category-ness

USAC has confirmed that Kermesse races will count for upgrades across the board.   Here is how they will apply:

·         Cat 4/5s will receive upgrade points based on the road race points schedule.  Full stop.

·         Cat 3 riders will receive upgrade points based on the road race points schedule for their placing relative to other Cat 3s.   This means if you get 5^th in the 1/2/3 race but are the 1^st placed Cat 3 you get points for a 1^st Place finish.   Boosh (and/or Ka-Kow).

·         Cat 1 / 2 riders will receive upgrade points based on the Criterium points schedule for their overall placing.   This means if you get 5^th in the 1/2/3 race but are the 1^st placed Cat 2 you get points for a 5^th Place finish.   So don’t let any Cat 3’s beat you.

Do I have to say it?  Go register!  https://www.usacycling.org/events/flyer.php?permit=2014-1781 and get those sweet sweet points.

Kermesse: What's in a name?

Wednesday history lesson: Why the name Kermesse? kermesse (pronounced Ker-mess) literally means "fair" (as in street fair) and refers to circuit races of approx 60-80 miles in length that run through the streets of Europe. Kermesse (pronounced Ker-mease) is the mispronounced version of the word used by the young racers on my first team that went to Belgium and returned with tales of short circuits of mixed quickly alternating pavement, dirt & cobbles. Kermesses are those mythical and exaggerated races come to life.

I'm so confused: a Northwest Kermesse FAQ

We are now less than 4 weeks out from the NW Kermesse season opener the Sumner Buckley Kermesse on June 21st. Many have expressed both a desire and fear of trying this unique style of racing. To help push you off that fence here is a handy FAQ to reduce and/or increase your anxieties:

Question: I'm so confused. Is this a road race or a cross race?

Answer: A defining feature of NW Kermesse races is that they run on short, non-technical circuits so that transition between road and ribinou (dirt) happen quickly. The field usually splits into smaller groups early. The main challenge of a NW Kermesse race becomes finding the right group and managing your effort. As a result racing stays dynamic for everyone as each placing is hotly contested.  Drafting and pacing make a bigger difference than in cyclocross and riders are almost always better riding in a group. NW Kermesses are unique in that it is extremely common for riders to move *forward* by jumping one group to the next. So while it's neither a road or a cross race it has what we consider the best traits of both.

Question:   I'm only 78 points away from my Cat 1 upgrade and need points.   Is it technically a road or cross race?

Answer: #SBK is sanctioned as a road race so upgrade points count for road.

Question:  Do these races meet the minimum length for upgrade points?

Answer:  The Cat 4/5 and Cat 1/2/3 races meet the minimum length for upgrades from Cat 5 to Cat 4 and Cat 4 to Cat 3.  Sadly, Andrew Martin cannot use these to upgrade to Cat 1*.

Question:  What about field size requirements?  

Answer:  That's dependent on you guys but the Kermesse fields at #MNK and Ronde Ohop have met the minimums for Cat 5 to Cat 4 and Cat 4 to Cat 3 the last three years.  Again, Andrew Martin is out of luck for his Cat 1 upgrade*.  

For the rules around upgrades go here: http://www.usacycling.org/road-category-upgrade-guidelines.htm 

Question: Dudes! I love to watch Paris Roubaix and post on facebook about how hard I am.  Have you seen my quads?  But really I am a fragile roadie and I'm afraid of getting dropped. This still sounds a lot like a cyclocross race and I'm afraid of dirty corners and riding solo. Please explain this race to me!

Answer: I'm not sure there was an actual question in there (unless you really want to know if I have been checking out your quads?  No I have not.  But if I was I'd tell you they look nice).  Bottom line a bomb is going to go off in the field within the first two laps. The dirt section isn't technical -- it's pretty much a straight line from the entrance to exit. That said, you'll probably be at a slight disadvantage to the cross riders since you won't be used to the feel of riding dirt.  But the good news is the dirt section is short and then you'll be back onto more familiar territory and can either work with the group you're in or take a chance at bridging up to those cross guys who are now at your mercy.

Question: Wait. I'm a cross guy and now I'm worried. I was planning on just dropping all the soft roadies in the dirt (it's officially called ribinou now - ed) but I did Ronde Van Palouse/Gorge Roubaix/Ronde Matt Hill Roubaix Strada and got dropped on the road sections.

Answer: Those are great races. But they have much larger circuits. The big difference between a Roubaix or Ronde and a NW Kermesse is that the shorter circuits mean riders who struggle on the road will find themselves back on the ribionou quickly. And vice versa. 

Question:  I just realized you didn't really answer my question about whether it's a road race or a cyclocross race.


Answer:  I know.  You ask too many questions.  Just register and ride the darn thing: https://www.usacycling.org/events/flyer.php?permit=2014-1781


Want to stay up to date on the NW Kermesse schedule?  Regular updates will be cross posted at the NWKermesse Facebook page and right here at the extremely old and over-rated PruDogBlog

Update: Andrew Martin would like to make it clear he is a Cat 1 already.   PruDogBlog would apologize except it can't accept that Andrew is a Cat 1 when PruDog is only a Cat 2. 

Cheap SEO Grab: 2013 Mashel Nisqually Kermesse Edition

I am digging the whole Facebook events page approach except its extremely lame SEO.  So this post is a cynical and cheap way to get the 2013 Mashel Nisqually Kermesse indexed on google so you can find it.  #MNK.

Also too here's the page link:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Northwest-Kermesse-Cup-Series/413705772059276

3 Questions: Kermesse QA w/ Benjamin Storrar.

Ben Storrar started racing Kermesses last year and ended up the Cat 1/2/3 Kermesse Series Champion.  How'd he do that?

What was your first Kermesse race and what was the biggest surprise about it?

My first kermesse was the Mashel Nisqually Kermesse in February 2012. The biggest surprise was how out of shape I had gotten during the Holidays, I’m sure mostly do to my love for any dip that has mayonnaise as the main ingredient. The second surprise was how well a road bike can ride through a small, muddy stream.

If you had one piece of advice you can give to someone trying a Kermesse for the first time, what would it be?

I have two things.

First, don’t get all wound up about your bike needs. You don’t need a special bike to do these races.  A road bike or cross bike with some large 25’s, or preferably a 28c, works just fine. Race whatever road-ish bike you have just put bigger tires on it.

Second, go fast. The faster you go the less bumpy it is. 

Why do you even do kermesse races?  I heard they are super hard!  Are you crazy?

I do them because it's fun to do something with a road bike that it wasn’t really designed to do.  I also think the kermesse series this year will be a great because it fits perfect between the road season winding down and the cyclocross season almost starting.  

Yes, they are hard.  All racing is hard if you do it right, but that’s not a reason to not to do it. And lastly, I hope not.

2012 Ronde Ohop Results - all official like

While I am aware there is some controversy among the 1/2/3 field on the results after the podium you can find the official results here.

Brief notes about results:  The officials are responsible for these.  Your complaints, objections and vitriol should be aimed at them.  I should only receive your love and admiration.  I am a delicate flower and easily wilt under the shining light of your righteousness!  Seriously though, I stay out of results other than being sympathetic to your plight (and to the difficulty of getting them right).  That said, I do track challenges and try to enable the officials to get it right(er).  So I will do my best to help them improve next year.  Also, results are official after the protest period so if you leave before posted you essentially agree to them.  I know this can be frustrating but I have been on the other side where official results were posted and I had placed on the podium of a Cat 1/2 Stage Race only to have the promoter / officials revise the results due to a local riders protest *2 days* after the event finished.  I've also been on the "winning" end were I was given a top 10 placing at a major race when I was a lap down and the officials wouldn't change it even though I contacted them days later asking to be given a corrected (lower) placing.  Even if the all the riders involved agree to change the results it's a can of worms most officials won't get into.

Finally: Beer.

HSP Probably took my money

That's a lot of beer being splashed around by the Pro 1/2/3 Podium. I suspect Todd and Richter are excited because they came to my house, took my Rainier tall boys and likely are getting that fat $600 check too. I'll give credit to Audi for coming out to fight for it but other than Zach were were the Garage boys???? Have you no shame??? And I am not even going to mention my elite squad teammates.

Are you Bad Ass?

Is your team Bad Ass?  Because we got us a $600 check for the Baddest Assiest team at Ronde.   Just sayin.

2012 WA Cup Standing after Round 3

After three rounds of the 2012 WACup (Andy Salmon, Mashel Nisqually & KR Road Race) here are the standings.  The final round is Ronde Ohop.

Cat 1/2 Men

Cat 3 Men

Masters 35+ 1/2/3

Masters 50+

Women

Now is not the time for fear: Inspirational Speach from Bane

Many of you have been no doubt disappointed by the lack of variety on this  stupid blog.  Why, once upon a time you actually could come here and find something that wasn't about Ronde Ohop or how fat I've gotten.  Well, I am sorta proud to say I am still Ronde-blogging but am shaking it up by having world renowned Urban Renewal Expert Bane give you a motivational speach to prepare you for Ronde Ohop.

Now Is Not The Time For Fear by Bane

Cyclists, take control... take control of your racing. Behold Ronde Ohop, the instrument of your liberation! Identify yourself to the world!

Behind you stands a symbol of oppression; Ronde Ohop, where a thousand men have languished under the dirt of this course.  The Ronde, which has been held up to you as the shining example of suffering.  You have been supplied with a false idol to stop you from dominating this epic race. Let me tell you the truth about Ronde Ohop from the words of Seattle's own dirt idol, Andy Salmon. 'The Ronde didn't break me, It powered my motivation despite my appalling lack of form early in the season. I praise this mad race that tries to crush us .
The Ronde is our reckoning.

Calm down, Cyclists! Now's not the time for fear. That comes later.

2012 Ronde Ohop Flyer

The Ronde Ohop is a Washington Cup event.  The Washington Cup series of events evoke the Belgian tradition of short, fast and hard races.  Running through rural Eatonville and the local parks the race runs on good county roads with 13 total miles of dirt road.

Registration & Surcharges:  Online at USACycling or day of at the Mashel Loop.  Registration closes 20 minutes before the start of each event.  The entry fee includes $3 per rider per day for USA Cycling insurance. A current year USA Cycling Rider Waiver and Release form must be signed by the participant and, if under 18, by the parent or legal guardian.

License: To enter any race for Men Cat 4 and above or Women Cat 3 and above a USAC annual license must be presented. Purchase online at USACycling.org (not for sale at the race). All beginners (Cat 5 Men, Cat 4 Women) may race on one-day license. No exceptions. OBRA riders of any category other than Beginner must present a valid USAC license. Foreign riders must purchase one-day license or present proof of out-of-country insurance. One-day licenses are $10, available at the race.

Numbers & Placement: WSBA numbers will be used. The officials request that both bib numbers be clearly visible placed parallel with your jersey’s side seam on the back and above the pockets. Frame number should be attached per WSBA instructions. Examples of proper placement: http://gcracingllc.com/numberplacement.aspx. Rental numbers are available for a $10 fee ($5 refundable). For out-of-state riders a $5 number refundable deposit will be assessed.

Course description:  Race starts at Mashel Loop field.  Races will cover 2 to 4  laps of the 6 mile Eatonville Loop circuit (all paved)  then 10 laps of the Mashel Loop (the Mashel Loop is 1 mile road, 1.25 mile dirt).  Course map & profiles can be found at http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/18148494.

Wheel Support:   Neutral wheel support will be provided.  In addition to two neutral wheel pits, there will be two additional wheels in/wheels out pits on the course for a total of three wheel pits on the Mashel Loop. The organizer is not responsible for wheels or equipment left at the race.

Results: Results will be posted at registration.  Results become final 15 minutes after posting. Questions concerning results should be directed to the Chief Judge at the Finish line.

Directions to Start:  Parking will be at the Nisqually- Mashel State Park on the right under the power lines.  For navigation or map purposes the address 437th St E Eatonville, Wa near the intersection of Hwy 7 and Mashel Prairie Rd.  Note that there is a similar address near LaGrande.  This is not correct so be sure it's the one off Hwy 7.   

From North or South on I-5  Take exit 127. Drive east on Hwy 512 for two miles, then take the Pacific Ave./Mt. Rainier exit south. Follow Pacific Ave. about five miles to where the road splits in a "Y." Follow signs for Mt. Rainier (the left branch of the fork) taking Hwy 7 south. Drive about 17 miles, passing Ohop Valley Rd.   At the top of the long sweeping hill turn right onto the Mashel Prairie Road on the right side. Go about ¾ of a mile and park on the right side under the power lines

Contact: Michael Pruitt at michaelpru@ohopcommons.org

Additional Event Info: USACycling

Ronde Ohop Team Prize

In an extremely cheap and blatant attempt to increase pre-registration and stop HSP from dominating the 1-2-3 Ronde Ohop again we've decided to add a new feature to this years Ronde Ohop: a team prize.

What is it?  A $600 check to the team that gets the most points on the day.

How does it work?  Each pre-registered rider will receive points based on their placing.  The team with the most points for the day wins.

There can't possibly be any details can there?  In fact they are.  Here are the important ones:

•  total team points are based on pre-registered riders in the same sub-category.  For example riders registered in the 1-2-3 race collect points for their team in that race only.  So a team that fields 5 Cat 4 riders and 5 Cat 1-2-3 riders will end up with two team: their Cat 4 team and their 1-2-3 team.  Sub Categories are the ones you can register for online.  
• Only pre-registered riders are eligible for team award points.  Why?  Because that's part of why we are doing this that's why.  Also it standardizes your team names and makes point calculations doable.

• I registered as KR and my teammate as Killer Rohrbots.  We didn't get team points together can you fix that?  No.  Assume that a volunteer who doesn't know that HB and Hagens are the same team is calculating results; we will not fix it.  That said, the pre-registration system should prefill team names
• When will results be posted?  We will post them 20 minutes after the last race results are finalized.  We will then post here and give everyone 24 hours to bitch and moan before I mail a check to the winners.
• What are the points?  They go from 1st through 20th on a sliding scale then 5 pts for every finisher after that.

1.. 100 
2.. 90
3.. 80
4.. 75 
5.. 65 
6.. 60 
7.. 55
8.. 50 
9.. 45 
10.. 40 
11.. 35 
12.. 30 
13.. 25 
14.. 20 
15.. 19 
16.. 18 
17.. 17 
18.. 16 
19.. 15 
20.. 14
21.. 13
20.. 12
19.. 11
18.. 10
19.. 9
20.. 8
21-60 5pts

I am sure more details to follow.

Expertise Matters

For several reasons the importance of expertise is a sore subject for me these days -- most likely because my success has relied heavily on respecting expertise while I work in an industry that by and large does not.  There is often a tendency to label people who have success as Rock Stars and then make the assertion that because someone is a Rock Star they can do anything.  I don't see the data that bears this out. 

I do, however, completely understand why it would be tempting to use the "Rock Star" standard.
 It's not realistic to have expertise in more than a couple areas.  The best you can hope for is expertise in some key areas and then a good filtering system to identify those who have expertise in the area you lack.

So what is a good filtering system?  I am fond of the filter Jonathan Portes posits in a blog that answers the question of which economists to listen to for policy advise. 

My answer to it is that policymakers and the public should listen to economists who fulfill two critera: first, they have made empirically testable predictions (conditional or unconditional – see Krugman here) that have proved, by and large, to be broadly consistent with the data; and second, they base those predictions on an analytic framework (not necessarily a formal model) that is persuasive. In other words, getting it right alone is not enough; it should be possible to show your workings – to explain why you got it right. Otherwise, your predictions may be interesting, but they tell you little about how to formulate policy.

Translated more generally you want someone who 1. has delivered (either prediction, product, service) and 2. can explain to you how they did it.  That can be a bit tricky in the product development / program management space because a lot of people have their hands in a successful or failed delivery.  But, one mark of expertise is being able to do risk assessments beforehand that are essentially predictions of what could go wrong and it is useful to reference these when projects do go sideway.

Of course this is rather self serving because it tells you that I am very very good (ie have expertise) at Project Management in general and IT Systems Optimization specifically.  On the otherhand, it also says my political predictions are horrible so there is that.


 

It's back. It's Tan. It's rested. It's the 2012 Ronde Ohop.

David Longdon of the SeattlePI's Velocity blog writes up the 2012 Ronde Ohop.  He does a decent job of making 2 hours of being beaten over the head and face by big old boulders at speed sound fun and accessable. 

The reality is this: you get to do a nice road ride for about 40 minutes through scenic rural pierce county on relatively flat roads (there is one quick climb but it's after a descent so isn't hard unless you slow down first).  Then you get to do about an hour twenty getting yelled at by Andy Salmon.  Who has a megaphone.  And is drunk.  And Belligerent.  Photo by BikeHugger.

Don't worry cause you'll spend about half of that last hour and change on paved roads.. riding past your car.  And people lounging in chairs eating burgers and drinking beer and cheering you on.  While you look longingly at your car and think "wow, that looks nice". 

So register now.  You know you want to.  And you can do it here: http://www.usacycling.org/events/index.php?event=2087&year=2012

Fail Whale Update

I should probably add a 5 to the list below:

5. Laziness of the week award: To Redmond Bicycles for responding to my request to measure my chain to see if it's stretched with the non-ironic "We're very busy so you'll need to leave it today and pick it up on the 26th."  Actually the changing the chain would add two days.  FTR I went next door and got a chain from Gerks.  Took 10 minutes. 

Still Snarky After All These Years

Taunt my baby gut all you want silly NW Riders.  PruDog is on the comeback trail and now he has two legs showing up to the office instead of the 1.5 he's had for the last few years.  Sure, they have to push around a lot a little more weight than before.  But that's coming down fast!  Trying to stress me out so that I'll eat more isn't going to work Kiddo's!

And now that I am back that means we get the best of PR List p/b Frank Schleck's (soon to b e released) retroactive TUE - 

1. Best Team-mates of the Night: This award goes to BikeSale.  We only had like 8 guys last night so BikeSale was kind enough to go to the front and drill back any dangerous break they had riders in.  Thanks guys!  It really tool the pressure off ourselves and Apex so we could practice our leadouts undisturbed.  
2. Most Warn-out Excuse Award: The tried and true "I just wanted to get work in" line when called out for chasing down a team-mate.  Hey Now!  That one never gets old does it?  I mean, it is totally reasonable.  Sit in, wait for you team-mate to actually do some work by attacking and *then* decide it's time to get that effort in.  Outstanding job boys.
3. Best Subtle "I'm an National Champion" call-out:  Jr Mahan for his National Championship socks.  It was also intructive since I was unaware he was the French Jr Nats Champ.  Learn something new every day.  Next PR I am pulling out that garish refined helmet/glove/sock/escalade combo I have.
4. Best Thanks for Nothing:  To KR for taking so long to go back to get Erik Scheller who was bridging back on after the break he was in got caught on the prime.  By the time we got there he was back on! Thank me later Erik.

And on final note: Ronde Ohop!!!! It's on like Megatron.  And, as many of you have now heard a bazillionty times, it may well be the only sunny and dry Road Race you do all year.  So go register.  You'll thank me later.  

Live Blog Post Game

I am going to try to live blog the Eatonville Road Race but fair warning -- it's actually kind of hard. Not describing the race but figuring out who is who. The biggest challenge was describing what happened and then figuring out who was doing what. SO be warned -- I'll try to capture your moment of glory but it will be error riddled!

MNK live blogging

11:15 Big lead group. Ross Gilbert sitting pretty. Suck it!

11:19 third lap underway and the lead group is down to Ross, Benjamin Storrar and two other riders with several chasers. Both groups and solo. Ride in groups!


11:25 Tactics -- Alki Rubicon is slowing the lead group down so that a team-mate can join up. Let's see if Ross punches it on the Mur to end that game.



11:28 Hitting Sector of Sufferring and Alki is still chasing the lead group to help his team mate. Ross is driving.

11:30 Not to be a homer but f&^k you Rubicon!!!!! Yah, they are both in the lead group. Lead group is Chris Cumminhgs (MotoFish), Ross Gilbert (Keller Rohrback),Storrar (Old Town Bicycles), Aaron Erbeck and Hahn Rossman (Alki Rubicon). Chase at 2 minutes with HSP, Garage and Alki chasing but way off the pace.

11:37 Erbeck (Alki) has cracked and is falling back to the chase. He still has 2 minutes but with 6 laps to go it'll be hard to hold on. Main chase is Jason Connell (Apex), Bart Sanderson (Blue Rooster) and Chad Sullivan (Apex)



11:47 Kelly wants Vodka. Why doesn't anyone bring us Vodka???

11:49 You know who probably wants some Vodka? Everyone coming by with 5 to go on the lap board. Brutal. Here goes Motofish and Apex.

11:50 Leaders coming through -- Ross has been dropped? I am guess a flat tire. Alki is driving but doesn't know his team mate is trying to come up. No Ross yet.

11:51 Well Ross is going to be lucky to finish in the second group. Bad luck!

11:52 Chase group is coming in hard.

11:59 Ross is here. He wants everyone to know it's really hard on the Mur. Aaron is now 4th on the rode.
Ed


12:03 2 laps to go for the leaders. Will my battery last or will you have to wait to find out what happens? So exciting.

12:11 my money's on OTB. Ross agrees. Alki looks tired. Motofish is the joker

12:17 OTB does the deed! Moto 2nd with Alki 3rd and 4th