April 27-29 - Madera Stage Race
Race info

Results

Reports:
Ted Brooks, Synergy Racing/Lamorinda Cycling Club

I will begin by saying that this race used to be difficult. That was when I did it as a 35+ 4/5, and when it was a points-based event. Now that it is a timed pro-style stage race, and running the open-category 45+, it is one of the most difficult weekends you can find. Did anyone mention it was hot?
by: Ted Brooks, Synergy Racing/Lamorinda Cycling Club


The Madera Stage Race is as close to the real deal as you'll find. Want to find out where you stand? This race will reveal a lot.

Here's my report -

Madera Crit 45+ 12th place; GC = minus 11 seconds
45 minutes, 19.32 miles, 25.4 avg mph, 35.1 max mph, 147 avg HR, 169 max HR

Overall, a pretty fast crit, in which I flatted. Fortunately, I thought to bring my spare wheels and had them in place. I had to roll on my rim from the back stretch through the final turn to get to the pit. We don't get off and walk ;-) Anyway, I don't always set up spares, but since this is a stage race, not finishing the Crit means not completing the rest of the race. I was in fair position coming to the final turn, got boxed a bit, and knocked off a few in the sprint. Start time was around 12:45. It was getting hot. I was in about 4 short-lived breakaways. Everyone was too nervous to let anything get away. Very fun. By the way, not sure if I already mentioned it was hot.

Map even shows the railroad tracks.

Madera TT 45+; not sure of exact placing yet, but after Crit and TT GC = 11th, minus 2:00 or so
Official time is 25:20 or something, my computer showed just under 25 minutes, 24.8 avg mph, 29.7 max mph, 158 avg HR, 166 max HR (my AT = 145)

My start time was 4:28. It was hot, over 100 degrees. As soon as I began to roll, I felt as though I had sprinted too hard in the Crit, that maybe I should have just sat in the pack the whole time. However, in a timed stage race, even a few seconds can set you down a notch or two in GC, and crashes don't generally happen in the front. So, that's where I wanted to be. Anyway, once I got rolling, I set my sights on the rider in front of me, quite a distance up the road. Although I was pressing pretty hard, I didn't seem to be gaining on him. I continually wondered if someone would be coming past me - funny, the mental games we play with ourselves in a TT. Having done this course in the past, I was very attentive to the road, looking for the turns. I too missed one a couple years ago, costing me about a minute. I begin to push a little harder as I take turn 2, having a slight cross/headwind in every stretch. I never did get a tailwind. Now I see my first man, passing him, and then passing a few others shortly after. This helps to motivate a bit, but I've still got a ways to go. I hit the final turn, and begin to increase the power. I finally see the world's longest 1k sign, and crank it up even more. Once I see the line, I'm giving it everything I have left, rolling across with my best-ever TT effort - at least I felt that way. I had spent all of my lunch money. It was HOT!
Map

Madera RR 45+ 35th; Final GC 12th overall, minus 2:28
46.82 miles, 2:09, 21.7 mph avg, 34.3 max mph, 139 avg HR, 162 max HR

The pace on the climbs killed me. This has never happened to me in this race, but now that it is timed, every second counts. These are not real big climbs, but 9 minutes of it sent me OTB, and I hooked up with 3 others, including Larry Wolf (in the 55+, who won the crit and TT in his group). The other two wanted to "win", so they kept attacking/countering/chasing, after we had all worked together for most of last 2 laps. I figured if that's what they want, I'll try to nail both of them at the end, as long as I can stay with them. On the approach to the final climb, Wolf and one guy drop back. So the other guy who had tried to break away in the rough stretch jumps when we hit the hills, and I grab his wheel. He runs out of gas, sees me on him, and slows up, looking blown. I tried to look dead too, gasping and hanging my head - it was still a ways to the finish. He does it again on the next-to-last hill, and again I mark him, using him to block the wind. We're now at the top of the hill, and he says, "good job." I ask what he wants to do now, go in together, fight it out, or what. He tells me "go for the win." I'm not that dumb. I begin just coasting down the last hill. As we begin the final climb, he takes off again. I jump on his wheel, once again using him to block the wind and set my pace. I see the line coming up and decide it's time. I jump with all I have and drop him like a rock, rolling over the line at least 10 or 15 meters ahead. I'd read his book and schooled him. Only for 35th place, but I just had to do it...
lap 1 is neutral roll-out, lap 2 is race, lap 3 is cool-down return to start

Ted Brooks
Il Presidente, Synergy Racing/Lamorinda Cycling Club


SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS --
http://www.synergylending.us
http://www.beljumbudder.com
http://sharpbicycle.com
http://www2.trekbikes.com
http://jetcharterllc.com
http://www.cytosport.com
http://www.galaxygranola.com
http://www.advertisingscience.com
http://www.networkscounseling.com
http://www.josephmendes.com
http://www.nerveusa.com
http://www.litigationtech.com

This text is a spacer to fix a browser compatibility issue with netscape and safari. This text is a spacer to fix a browser compatibility issue with netscape and safari.