Here's a compilation of writings from the team on their own experiences at the French Broad Cycling classic last weekend. It is cool to read their perspectives.
Randy
Friday's time trial was a riot! Thanks to all those who hooked me up
with wheels, helmets (just one), power meters, TT bars and seat
stems. I felt like a rocket. Not a great result (22nd @ 24.22 avg)
but I have new motivation to get faster....Curtis Jackson! He got me
by a few places averaging 24.95mph. I blew up the second half, so
maybe I can meter it better effort next time. Thanks to Brian Kadiens
for the setup and strategy help.
Saturday's race Brian K and I both agree was epic. The course is
insane and anyone who wins the French Broad omnium is ridiculously
strong. Plantec's wheels were a major help in staying in the front
with the accelerations and even on the climbs, but I couldn't hang at
the big climb at mile 23ish. Blew up 1/4 way up but had a great
descent with a group. Out of water bottles, I cramped immediately at
the base of the last climb, walked until Debbie Gillespie gave me half
a bottle and then noodled up the last climb. At least I didn't have
to walk the whole way. I did catch a couple 4's on my noodle fest
though. Much better than last year, so I'm pleased with 41st on the
day. Peter got 15th, Kadiens 33rd, and Flinte 37th. Freaks live in
Asheville and the proof is in the Cat 4 results.
Sunday: Kadiens and I warmed up in the rain and then the clouds parted
for some great weather. Kadiens was arguing with his bike and decided
to take it to the parking lot to work things out. It had been a long
weekend of racing and they weren't getting along. Since my noodlefest
final climb on Sat. and carbfest Sat. evening, I was feeling ok. Took
a pull, then the break went. Stupid, should have waited for the
move. Saw the break slide away a foot at a time. Tebbetts and I were
with the remainder of the field racing for 7th. Only socks for
primes. I've got plenty of socks so I tried to work for Tebbetts
since I had no hopes in the omnium. Put in some efforts to try and
bridge to no avail. Finally gave a lead out to Tebbetts for the
finish. He got second in our pack sprint, 8th overall. I puttered in
but did beat one rider popped off the back. Still really fun and felt
strong. I think I could have stayed in the break. Have to give a
shout out to the wifer for supporting me in my dreams of racing for a
weekend. 33rd in the omnium. Something to try and beat next year.
Peter:
I spent the first half of the RR trying to maintain a decent position
in the field and not expend any unnecessary energy (Pete trying to
ride smart, what?). The not expending extra energy was working out
ok, especially when Kirk thought I was busting and took to pushing me
up hill, but I couldn't seem to keep my field position as well as
Brian and Randy. At the first major climb I tried to stay with the
leaders, but it seemed like I was having to close a lot of gaps to get
up there. By the time I was finally on, there were 10-12 riders left
and I was about to crack. I kept hoping that the next turn would
reveal the crest of the climb, but no such luck. About 2/3rds up the
climb I dropped off, not wanting to wait until I was completely busted
(just mostly busted). I think a few people from our field passed me
up the rest of the climb, but it's a little hazy now.
On the way down I was caught by about 20 riders and we proceeded to
rip down the windy descent, pretty much continuously running the two-
line echelon. Rotating through that paceline while railing through
turns was the most 'fun' I can remember having in a road race. We
caught about five guys that I don't think had made the selection.
By the time we reached the final climb I was somewhat unmotivated and
definitely undergeared (a 42/24 doesn't cut it on that climb when your
legs are just saying no to standing). I was actually paper-boying it
at one point. I thought I was racing for about 20th, but apparently a
couple of those guys were 50+ masters.
It's interesting to have this omnium during the TdF, since it is one
of, or the only race around here that really favors a GC-type, climber/
time trialer rider. I'm interested to try at least the RR again next
year, though it is hard to imagine anything better than a top 10
finish for me. To get into the money you'd definitely need to make
the selection on the first climb, not get caught on the descent, and
still have enough left to bust some of the 'selected' guys on the
final climb. Even though I see no hope of ever winning this race, I
still have to like it. Its just dumb and hard!
Allen:
CAT 5 Perspective
My expectations for the race were low as I got worked over by Randy
and JD the weekend before in the mountains. I was going to be happy
if I could stay with the leaders until the final climb. That goal was
lost when I let myself drop through the group on what I thought was
the big climb in the middle. I heard a couple of guys yell something
like "this is it" before we started going up. The pace was fine for a
shorter hill, but I didn't know we were on a short hill. I was
thinking there was no way I could go this fast up a 5 mile climb.
Turns out we weren't there yet.
I was pissed that I let myself fall out of the group, because I didn't
know the course. I chased back on with 2 or 3 other riders just in
time to see the ubiquitous CAT 5 crash before the climb that JD
described earlier. It didn't slow me down as I just rode around it.
The leaders had a gap, but I knew I had to ride my own pace up the
hill. I dropped a few people, caught a few people and only one person
caught me right at the top. He and I worked hard the rest of the way.
I saw JD in front of me on the climb, and I wanted to get back up to
him. Apparently he was crushing it though since I never caught a
glimpse of that Spinners Green again.
The race was a blast, and I'll be back for more next year. I'm happy
with 16th out of 50.