So...Nationals

aerojunkie2 said:

So, I'm going to Nat's this summer and wanted to know if any of you have been to Nationals or biked around Seven Springs. I'm hoping to do well, with maybe a podium spot if everything goes well. What's Nationals like? Any of you competing? Thanks ahead of time.

I'm going, I'll be in junior 17-18. Never been before. What age group are you in? You must be a beast if you hope to podium. From the profiles on the website, the tt and rr will be really hard.

whoawhoa said:

I'm going, I'll be in junior 17-18. Never been before. What age group are you in? You must be a beast if you hope to podium. From the profiles on the website, the tt and rr will be really hard.

13-14 AG

Thinking of a podium spot is mostly wishful thinking, but who knows?

aerojunkie2 said:

13-14 AG

Thinking of a podium spot is mostly wishful thinking, but who knows?

It's a great goal. Good luck!

I live about 45 minutes away from Seven Springs. I have never raced in Nationals before and I wont be able to this year (cat 3's arent allowed to compete). As far as the terrain goes, you will literally be in the mountains so be prepared for some long/steep climbs. If you need any specific info about the area then just ask

whoawhoa said:

I'm going, I'll be in junior 17-18. Never been before. What age group are you in? You must be a beast if you hope to podium. From the profiles on the website, the tt and rr will be really hard.

If I give you guys some stat's could you tell me if I'll have half a chance of not geting dropped at Nationals? Here they are anyway;

I come from a background of tri's so TT's are my strength

40k TT- Would have won, except I failed the roll-out { I had no idea about it }

1st crit: 4th-pulled for these guys for 5th miles, and then got dropped
2nd crit: 3rd-I believe I could have broken away and won it
Last TT 20k- 33:45 Some where around 22mph

I do love to climb. Like most kids I've got the power-to weight advantage going for me, and am now focusing on hill repeats and climbs.

Is this good enough for podium?

aerojunkie2 said:

If I give you guys some stat's could you tell me if I'll have half a chance of not geting dropped at Nationals? Here they are anyway;

I come from a background of tri's so TT's are my strength

40k TT- Would have won, except I failed the roll-out { I had no idea about it }

1st crit: 4th-pulled for these guys for 5th miles, and then got dropped
2nd crit: 3rd-I believe I could have broken away and won it
Last TT 20k- 33:45 Some where around 22mph

I do love to climb. Like most kids I've got the power-to weight advantage going for me, and am now focusing on hill repeats and climbs.

Is this good enough for podium?

What USCF Cat are you? By the sound of it I would place you in the middle of the bunch. Most of the "good" juniors at nationals will be USCF Cat 1 & 2's. Then there will be average juniors, like yourself. Then there will be newbie's/juniors who arent "that" serious. Regardless, I wish you the best of luck.

KeSs said:

What USCF Cat are you? By the sound of it I would place you in the middle of the bunch. Most of the "good" juniors at nationals will be USCF Cat 1 & 2's. Then there will be average juniors, like yourself. Then there will be newbie's/juniors who arent "that" serious. Regardless, I wish you the best of luck.

I haven't gotten around to do many races this year so I'm still a 3 or 4.

aerojunkie2 said:

I haven't gotten around to do many races this year so I'm still a 3 or 4.

Get a couple under your belt and really plan out your training for the month of June. If you train properly I feel that you can pull off a good finish. And honestly, Top 25 in Nationals is GOOD.

KeSs said:

And honestly, Top 25 in Nationals is GOOD.

I agree-I know that's what I'm shooting for in 17/18. Aerojunkie did say he's a 13-14 year old, so he probably won't be racing any cat 1's or 2's.

aerojunkie2 said:

13-14 AG

Thinking of a podium spot is mostly wishful thinking, but who knows?

Im doing nationals to in the 13-14 AG also. I doubt I'll get a podium spot though. Good luck!

Colavita/ACT10 said:

Im doing nationals to in the 13-14 AG also. I doubt I'll get a podium spot though. Good luck!

ohhh, competition. What's your average time for a rolling to flat 20k TT?

aerojunkie2 said:

ohhh, competition. What's your average time for a rolling to flat 20k TT?

Im not good on the flats because im really light. I don't remember my time to a 20k TT but my avg. mph was around 19-20 i think. I did the Wintergreen Ascent Time Trial in VA which is 3,000 ft. of climbing and I got 59:43. This is my first year racing and since my camp is taking us to nationals I just decided to go. Where are you from?

Colavita/ACT10 said:

Im not good on the flats because im really light. I don't remember my time to a 20k TT but my avg. mph was around 19-20 i think. I did the Wintergreen Ascent Time Trial in VA which is 3,000 ft. of climbing and I got 59:43. This is my first year racing and since my camp is taking us to nationals I just decided to go. Where are you from?

huh, I rode Wintergreen. One tough mother climb. I didn't ride the race { other criterium scheduled } but rode the ascent a couple times a ways back. I live in Richmond VA.

aerojunkie2 said:

huh, I rode Wintergreen. One tough mother climb. I didn't ride the race { other criterium scheduled } but rode the ascent a couple times a ways back. I live in Richmond VA.

Yea I was sore for a week after that. What was your time for a 20kTT? Im getting my aerobars on Thursday so I might be able to go a little bit faster.

Colavita/ACT10 said:

Yea I was sore for a week after that. What was your time for a 20kTT? Im getting my aerobars on Thursday so I might be able to go a little bit faster.

Last 20k I did was in a triathlon { held back for the run } was 33:40. So, 22mph.

Hey, Im doing 13-14 nats also. I am Graham from team mob squad how about you guys?

gmd_bike said:

Hey, Im doing 13-14 nats also. I am Graham from team mob squad how about you guys?

Im Max from Colavita/A.C.T. How long have you been racing?

Colavita/ACT10 said:

Im Max from Colavita/A.C.T. How long have you been racing?

well around here (indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky) they do not have Jr. Races. So i attempted to race Cat 5 last year but got dropped. This year I raced 5's and put in great results, best was a 2nd. I recently upgraded to Cat 4 for more of a training workout for nats. You did that Can Am race? how was that and howw good were those 2 winners i think there names were Justin Koelbl and Morgan Gerlak? Do you remember what you averaged.

Graham

gmd_bike said:

well around here (indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky) they do not have Jr. Races.

Really? I've noticed that a lot of the races around Cincinnati have a junior cat. Of course not all of them do, but it seems that more do than don't. 😕