Thursday Night Crits Week #2

[Andrew]

With a number of BPR members recovering from RtR and Ironman, some opting to prep for Salty Dog, others injured, in the hospital or in Europe, we were left with a fairly small group this week.

Ginny and Jen were nice enough to keep us company during our warm up, as Quinn and I rode around the modified Winfield Crit Course. With the road dug up, they have added 2 x 180 degree corners, which makes for a much more technical course, with lots of slowing and accelerating. a HUGE departure from the normal fast loop, where sitting in the back and relaxing is always an option for the less motivated.

Tanille, David and Mon showed up in their new KC kit, complete with some lime green and wild patterns. Nice new look!

The girls opted to ride B Group, as there were upgrade points available, and were joined by both Quinn and Peter (who had ridden to the start line from Vernon). I don't know the details of the race, but by all accounts, Quinn rode VERY well in his first ever Crit race, Peter is getting better each week, and the girls looked like superstars. We will look forward to reading their insights.

My race in A group felt good, considering my lack of time on a road bike recently, and after a weekof good riding, including a morning MTB ride at Ellison, which left me a little fatigued going to the start line. In fact, I felt really good, until the first of a small group of strong Cat 1/2 riders took off. Jason was the first to go, and looked really strong. He was soon followed by Carlos and a couple others, along with an H&R rider who is living in Kelowna for the summer. David Nelson made the gap and I was happy to sit back and not try to chase up, though one or two more made some efforts, but never got across. It was a quick decision, and put me in a chase group that was NEVER going to see that lead group again. Our group remained really disorganized, and never really got much flow going afterwards. Any pace line that got started was pulled apart either by people trying to sprint off the front or others that were not willing to pull through. So, it became a practice ride, rather than a chase group.

The tight corners were a good challenge, and the sprints out of the corners were excellent functional training. David was strong enough after eventually being shed form the lead group to pull me through the group on the final lap, through the headwind, and all the way to the last tight corner, leaving me to fight for a sprint finish. I was sitting second wheel in the final bend, but had to make up a small gap on a KC rider that made a move just before the tight corner before. I worked hard to the line but was passed by some well-timed sprints from 4 other riders.

My limitation on the final sprint was clearly a coordination issue, being unable to increase cadence while standing on my pedals. I think I had the strength to do it, but just could not move my feet quick enough to accelerate. I might have needed a lower gear, but will work on the cadence issue in training.

Breathing was controlled for most of the event, and HR never was an issue, unless I was pushing to try to make a break or working for too long on the front. All in all, a satisfactory evening of functional training to prep for Salty Dog!!!

I will post a note on Coach's Corner later today, and look forward to hearing form everyone as some big races approach. Hope to see you ALL next week at the Crits!

[Quinn Middleton]

Here is my report for week #2 of the Thursday night crits..
I had a good warm –up around the modified course to get the blood pumping.  I decided to race B group as this was my first crit race and I wanted to get a taste of what it was like.  Unfortunately I had a huge headache but it didn’t seem to affect me much once the race had begun.  Once the race started we got up to a pretty good pace except we would have to slow down at the 180 degree corners.  I felt strong during the race and was tempted a few times to sprint away from everyone but I decided to reserve my energy for later in the race.  About halfway into the race there was a sprint where Tanille and Monica and one other guy sprinted away from the pack leaving Peter, two other guys and myself in the back.  After  that sprint there was a big gap that we had to make up. Although we tried to catch them we couldn’t organize a proper attack. I got ahead a few times but was caught by the others until Peter did a huge pull that gave me the “slingshot” effect and I darted away from the pack with a KC rider on my wheel. I managed to keep this position for a few laps until the KC rider passed me on the last corner. I know I could of beat that guy if I would have made better turns on the corners but all in all I am very pleased with my performance.

Way to go to everyone else who raced! And thanks to the others who came and cheered us on. Hopefully next week we will have more of the team in attendance. It was a great experience and I can't wait till next week.

[Andrew]

Quinn, I can see your bike handling skills getting better each week. This new course is a HUGE challenge, and the perfect training grounds for you. Keep practicing with Tanille and Monica who have TONS of experience, and are really solid in the crits, and I am sure in no time, we will see you racing with the studs in A group! Each day is a new learning experience for me as well, and I am humbled by the power of some of the competition we see in the Okanagan.

[GinnySellars]

Hey Quinn, great to see you going for it last Thursday! I was impressed that you kept the pressure on right to the end. See if you can warm up with Tanille next time. She's wicked on the corners.