I thought I'd give A grade a go this week with the goal of just staying with the bunch. A field of about 20 riders rolled away for an hour plus 2 laps and the pace seemed quite fast for my weedy little B grade legs. A few early attacks (like in the first 100m!) but all were chased down. After about 20 minutes I started hurting keeping up with all the short surges as people constantly tried to break and I started having thoughts about dropping out. It wasn't like I couldn't physically keep up, more of a mental battle to keep going that I often get in the middle of a race. Anyone else get this?
I stayed up near the front to make it easier but it was actually harder as there was a group of 4 or 5 doing most of the work and I couldn't seem to stay as #6! After I twigged to that I slid to the back for a while.
Luckily after about 40 minutes the pace eased quite a lot and I just tried to conserve energy and suss out what was going on. I spent a lot of time looking at the clock waiting for the magical 60:00 minutes to come up, and found I didn't feel too bad so I moved up close to the front.
Across the line for the bell I was in 4th. Up the hill for the last time I was in 2nd. The guy in front had done a 1/2 a lap on the front. Not the best place to be, but no way could I have moved back a few positions so I'll just have to go for it. Went hard down the hill and onto the long straight. I tried to sense when and where the attack would come from. Just then the guy in front started to fade (NOOOOOOooo!) and before I could come around sprinters came from either side and I couldn't get a wheel. Went as hard as I could but knew I'd blown it. Ended up around 8th I think. At least I acheived my goal of surviving but being in a strong position at the end was a bit of a surprise. Next time I'll try sit on a super-mario wheel from a bit further back (that's of course if I don't get spat out the back 🙂
I thought I'd give A grade a go this week with the goal of just staying with the bunch.
What?? You asked to go into A grade? (Madness...)
Quoted message said:
A field of about 20 riders rolled away for an hour plus 2 laps and the pace seemed quite fast for my weedy little B grade legs. A few early attacks (like in the first 100m!) but all were chased down. After about 20 minutes I started hurting keeping up with all the short surges as people constantly tried to break and I started having thoughts about dropping out. It wasn't like I couldn't physically keep up, more of a mental battle to keep going that I often get in the middle of a race. Anyone else get this?
What is it about A graders who insist on attacking from the get-go? I know what you mean about the mental battle to keep going on. The body is screaming out to stop and the mind wants to say "Yeah, you're right, lets stop this craziness!"
Quoted message said:
Across the line for the bell I was in 4th. Up the hill for the last time I was in 2nd. The guy in front had done a 1/2 a lap on the front. Not the best place to be, but no way could I have moved back a few positions so I'll just have to go for it. Went hard down the hill and onto the long straight. I tried to sense when and where the attack would come from. Just then the guy in front started to fade (NOOOOOOooo!) and before I could come around sprinters came from either side and I couldn't get a wheel.
Terrible feeling ain't it?
Quoted message said:
Went as hard as I could but knew I'd blown it. Ended up around 8th I think. At least I acheived my goal of surviving but being in a strong position at the end was a bit of a surprise. Next time I'll try sit on a super-mario wheel from a bit further back (that's of course if I don't get spat out the back 🙂
Well done! Hanging onto an A grade bunch is no mean feat...
I thought I'd give A grade a go this week with the goal of just staying with the bunch.
What?? You asked to go into A grade? (Madness...)
True, but how good did he go!! Nice work in A! I watch A and B grades at Glenvale and think "damn! so much faster than me.."
Quoted message said:
What is it about A graders who insist on attacking from the get-go?
They can't sprint?
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
(NOOOOOOooo!) and before I could come around sprinters came from either side and I couldn't get a wheel.
Just something I made note of myself from my last race.. when sprinting from the front, if you can, ride right near the gutter on one side of the road. Doing this means that you only have to worry about people passing on one side, not both. It could make the difference defending an early jump.. But hey! You're an A-grader.. what the hell would I know!! 🙂
True, but how good did he go!! Nice work in A! I watch A and B grades at Glenvale and think "damn! so much faster than me.."
Well...I somehow don't think they'd compare. Uur club is lacking a little in elite riders at the moment - I think our A is probably more like your B or C. Maybe I'll come down to Melbourne some time and give it a go.
Quoted message said:
Just something I made note of myself from my last race.. when sprinting from the front, if you can, ride right near the gutter on one side of the road. Doing this means that you only have to worry about people passing on one side, not both. It could make the difference defending an early jump.. But hey! You're an A-grader.. what the hell would I know!! 🙂
Yeah I've seen it done in quite a few races. Couldn't do it on Saturday as I was still on a wheel but I'll remember it! All sorts of stuff like that comes into play in crosswinds as well like putting an echelon into the gutter.
