Sounds about right.
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Need a pep talk. Why fastest pre-ride doesn't = 1st
I am trying to psyche myself up for a race this weekend that is primarily flat and fast where you are going to be mashing in the big ring the entire time. Of course, the roadies who have never raced in the series are coming out for this one and entering as Cat 3. And some of their pre-laps are 2 minutes faster (1 hr race) than the #1 on the podium last year. Someone convince me they can't post these times on a course where they are going to have to pass the entire age group that starts 2 minutes ahead of us.
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Fast, easy courses bring out the local fast roadies. That is just the way it works. They will likely go faster on race day. All you can do it go out and do your best. If the course is wide open, you might be able to draft off of them. Your handling skills should make it easier for you. If you have previously been competitive, and don't think you will be on race day, approach the race as a hard training ride.
I'm not going to try to convince you that these riders won't run the same lap times - or maybe even faster - on race day. There isn't enough information to be able to say one way or the other. For the motivational part though, the question is whether you like riding the course? I like all types of courses, and although it doesn't necessarily play well into my own strengths, a layout that's primarily flat and fast can be a heck of a lot of fun to mix it up from climb-heavy courses.
I think we all know riders who have that knack for rising to the top no matter what the course and conditions. They are very well-rounded and all the more power to them. For most of us though, we have more defined strengths and weaknesses relative to some other riders. If you're going to get your ass kicked, and also find no joy whatsoever in the course then maybe it's a week to go for a fun ride elsewhere? However, if you enjoy the course then don't worry about things you can't control, such as other riders who have a set of competencies that allow them to lay a whuppin' on that particular layout.
Every dog has its day, and unless you are determined to cherry pick only events that are a best fit your current personal strengths then you may be missing out on a bit of a personal development opportunity to expand your versatility, not to mention a potentially fun course.
I think we all know riders who have that knack for rising to the top no matter what the course and conditions. They are very well-rounded and all the more power to them. For most of us though, we have more defined strengths and weaknesses relative to some other riders. If you're going to get your ass kicked, and also find no joy whatsoever in the course then maybe it's a week to go for a fun ride elsewhere? However, if you enjoy the course then don't worry about things you can't control, such as other riders who have a set of competencies that allow them to lay a whuppin' on that particular layout.
Every dog has its day, and unless you are determined to cherry pick only events that are a best fit your current personal strengths then you may be missing out on a bit of a personal development opportunity to expand your versatility, not to mention a potentially fun course.
Seems like the roadies would have been there last year too. Am I missing something?
Also, typically cat 3 podiums don't mean much in the sense of moving up the ranks. Cat 3 is more of a "learn how to race" or a reality check category.
Cat 2 is used to prove that you deserve to race Cat 1 via podium finishes.
You don't need to prove much to race as Cat 2, although you will get crushed if you don't belong..
.02
Also, typically cat 3 podiums don't mean much in the sense of moving up the ranks. Cat 3 is more of a "learn how to race" or a reality check category.
Cat 2 is used to prove that you deserve to race Cat 1 via podium finishes.
You don't need to prove much to race as Cat 2, although you will get crushed if you don't belong..
.02
Yeah, I came to that conclusion a couple minutes after the posting.Seems like the roadies would have been there last year too. Am I missing something?
Very good point.Every dog has its day, and unless you are determined to cherry pick only events that are a best fit your current personal strengths then you may be missing out on a bit of a personal development opportunity to expand your versatility, not to mention a potentially fun course.
I believe it was good'ol Teddy Roosevelt who said "Comparison is the thief of joy", and while that is almost counterintuitive to the concept of mass start racing, it's worth consideration for us racers.
It is important to remember that in almost every race, it comes down to you giving all that you have, and what you have to give is always dependent upon your preparation.
In the end, racing is a great teacher for learning how to not worry about what you can't control. There will always be somebody faster than you at a race and you can't control that, but you have the opportunity beforehand to make yourself that person who is faster than others.
Have fun, and don't worry about sandbaggers, roadies or anybody else. Just focus on putting out nothing less than 100% on race day!
It is important to remember that in almost every race, it comes down to you giving all that you have, and what you have to give is always dependent upon your preparation.
In the end, racing is a great teacher for learning how to not worry about what you can't control. There will always be somebody faster than you at a race and you can't control that, but you have the opportunity beforehand to make yourself that person who is faster than others.
Have fun, and don't worry about sandbaggers, roadies or anybody else. Just focus on putting out nothing less than 100% on race day!
All good advice. It is important to take a step back and only focus on what you can control. I am registered and ready to go. I'll report back on how I do.I believe it was good'ol Teddy Roosevelt who said "Comparison is the thief of joy", and while that is almost counterintuitive to the concept of mass start racing, it's worth consideration for us racers.
It is important to remember that in almost every race, it comes down to you giving all that you have, and what you have to give is always dependent upon your preparation.
In the end, racing is a great teacher for learning how to not worry about what you can't control. There will always be somebody faster than you at a race and you can't control that, but you have the opportunity beforehand to make yourself that person who is faster than others.
Have fun, and don't worry about sandbaggers, roadies or anybody else. Just focus on putting out nothing less than 100% on race day!
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Yep
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Good luck to you! Should be dusty and hot.
Extremely dusty! Missed top 5 finish by a couple seconds. Definitely worth it to attend though.
Roadie beat the field by 3+ minutes.........f-in roadies!
Roadie beat the field by 3+ minutes.........f-in roadies!
We have a saying where I live...Extremely dusty! Missed top 5 finish by a couple seconds. Definitely worth it to attend though.
Roadie beat the field by 3+ minutes.........f-in roadies!
Roadies who don't ride MTB are boring.
MTB'ers who don't ride road are slow
In all seriousness, there's no such thing as a roadie, or a MTB'er... just cyclists, and some are more well-rounded than others.
Become well-rounded - ride road as well. And excellent job this weekend!
All you said is true. Its just easier to hate sometimeWe have a saying where I live...
Roadies who don't ride MTB are boring.
MTB'ers who don't ride road are slow
In all seriousness, there's no such thing as a roadie, or a MTB'er... just cyclists, and some are more well-rounded than others.
Become well-rounded - ride road as well.
Great job! Those "so close" finishes are always motivating. And those are some wise words tommyrod.
I sucked this year at the BRC. It doesn't suit me, though, and I know it. I always do better on the technical courses. I've been 2-4 minutes faster on every course this year, but was 2 minutes slower than last on this one. I checked my data and realized I blew up after going out too hard - 196 avg HR for the first 16 minutes, with a 209 max (threshold HR is around 182) trying to hang with top 5. That pretty much killed the race for me and I slipped back by about 5 places. I just couldn't maintain pace on the 2nd lap.
Yeah, there is no break in pedaling. Its just constant hammer the entire time. I had to go all out on the fire roads to make up a couple places due to start and 3/4 the way in I was toast.I sucked this year at the BRC. It doesn't suit me, though, and I know it. I always do better on the technical courses. I've been 2-4 minutes faster on every course this year, but was 2 minutes slower than last on this one. I checked my data and realized I blew up after going out too hard - 196 avg HR for the first 16 minutes, with a 209 max (threshold HR is around 182) trying to hang with top 5. That pretty much killed the race for me and I slipped back by about 5 places. I just couldn't maintain pace on the 2nd lap.
Yeah, on paper, it looks like a really easy race, with absolutely nothing technical except cornering, and very little climbing (200-300ft in 10 miles), but it results in a hammerfest for the entire race where you coast very little. I'll probably skip it next year even though I have fun riding the course. Massive turnout due to it's technical ease + many other races for the overall that suit me better means I should probably just save my racing legs for other courses.Yeah, there is no break in pedaling. Its just constant hammer the entire time. I had to go all out on the fire roads to make up a couple places due to start and 3/4 the way in I was toast.
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