2-WHEELS Elite Cycling

For a little shy of a week, I have not been riding with my power meter, and I miss it.  The reason that I’m not using it is not because it is broken but because it does not fit on my new Fuji frame.  Why? The power meter rubs against the frame.  I had to make a decision….. do I ride my old frame and continue to have power using my Quarq? ; or do I build the new frame and figure out the power meter situation?   My decision….build the new frame and figure out the power meter situation.  The rational: I want to know how the frame feels, reacts, make needed adjustments, and get comfortable riding it.

I have the new Fuji frame built up with no power meter.  I called Quarq on this and was given the answer, “there are certain frames that the Quarq won’t work on”.  I am ok with that answer…not thrilled but I understand.  I want to stick with Quarq since I have been on the Quarq power meter for a few years and as a coach have recommended the Quarq to a lot of people. I figured maybe the new 2012 Quarq would work.  I talked with a Quarq representative who said, “In theory it should, but I will find out and call you back. If you have further question please talk to me.”  The person never called back.  I have called Quarq a few of times over the past couple of weeks to get some answers, and the point of contact that help me initially has not returned any calls.  I do not know what has happened to Quarq’s customer support but it has truly gone downhill in the last year.   I will get off my soap box and go back to the power meter.  There are a couple of other power meter companies out there but each one has a significant flaw I do not like.  I am very interested in the Garmin Vector but three things scare me with the Vector.  1…will it be delayed again?  2…how hard is it to get once it does come out?  3….how many issues will it have because it is a new product?  Now there is the Polar power meter but I have read reviews and they are not stellar, and I cannot find a US distributor for it.  There is the Power MAX but it too does not get great reviews, and it is not sold in the US.  This left the Gold standard of all power meters, the SRM.

I have been hesitant on the SRM for several reasons: price, calibration and battery life.  I have heard in the past, in order to calibrate or change the battery you need to send it back to SRM.  I have also heard about bad sales support back a few years ago when I was looking for a power meter.  Since no other power meter company seemed to work I called SRM with a lot of reservations.  Shaun at SRM is the unfortunate one who answered my call.  We talked for a little bit, and he understood my initial concerns and my issues with the Fuji.  He did not go into full salesman pitch but instead said let me do some research and make sure the SRM works on a Fuji.  After hanging up the phone, I got a picture from him of an SRM on a Fuji frame.  I called him again and we talked some more. The whole time Shaun did not really push the product but he did explain the SRM to me.  In summary what I found out is the SRM is a little more expensive than many of the others.  You can calibrate it at home but like the Quarq and others you need to ensure the weight being used is accurate and true.  Battery lasts about 2 years, and yes, it needs to be replaced by SRM.  Two years is not bad and I can live without power for a week or two in between seasons in order to get the battery exchanged and the SRM calibrated.  This will take a little planning on my part.  So after, bugging Shaun a bunch on the phone, the next day I called him and ordered an SRM power meter.

Now I am impatiently waiting for the SRM to arrive so I can get power back on the bike.  I will follow-up with a review of the SRM after a few rides with it.

My girlfriend thinks that I am silly to put this much effort into the search for the perfect power meter.  Pedal hard. Ride fast. Be the first one to cross the line….. it’s pretty simple in her mind.  She believes that we tend to complicate things when we start getting so wrapped around numbers.

February 20th, 1864 in Baker County Florida was the true Battle of Olustee. At approximately 2:30 in the afternoon of February 20, the Union forces approached 5,000 Confederates entrenched near Olustee Station. The opposing forces met at Ocean Pond and the battle began. The Union made the mistake of assuming that they were facing Florida militia units that had previously routed with ease and committed the Union forces piecemeal into the battle. The Union and Confederates reinforced their engaged units during the afternoon and the battle took place in open pine woods. The Union forces attacked but were savagely repulsed by withering barrages of rifle and cannon fire. The battle raged throughout the afternoon until, and as the Confederates committed their last of his reserves, the Union line broke and began to retreat. Union casualties were 203 killed, 1,152 wounded, and 506 missing, a total of 1,861 men—almost 40%. Confederate losses were lower: 93 killed, 847 wounded, and 6 missing, a total of 946 casualties in all—but still about 20%. Additionally, Union forces allowed six artillery pieces and 39 horses to be captured as well. The ratio of Union casualties to the number of troops involved made this the third bloodiest battle of the War for the Union.

148 years later the Battle for Olustee is back but this time it is not lead by swords and gun powder instead it is lead by men and women on two wheels riding for the love of cycling. The Battle of Olustee Ride has been going on for more than 25 years. This is my third straight year and Michele’s second straight year of riding it. The ride is a 115 mile starting at the Holiday Inn in Gainesville, Florida heading North past Lake City and Interstate 10 and back South to Gainesville. The ride travels through the Battle Ground of Olustee and hence its name.

This year the ride started with 123 riders. Who counted…I do not know but that is what has been passed around on facebook. The first 75 miles of the ride was fairly mellow. The group rode in a double pace line around 20 + mph with everyone talking. The only store stop was at the 46 mile marker and it was a small convenience store that got slammed with 123 riders trying to get food and pee. After grabbing some food and waiting a long time for the rest of the group to do the same the group finally got back on the road. The pace after the store stop picked up a bit but nothing substantial. The ride wandered South past an airport and as the group got closer to the 75 mile marker the pace continued to increase slowly. At the 75 mile marker the flag got dropped and it was every man and woman for themselves. To make matters a little more difficult, the last 40 miles were also the hilliest. The race was on for the next 40 miles back to Gainesville. There were attacks, quick rotations, surges and so on. Nothing got away and the group was coming into Gainesville for the sprint finish. A few riders got to the front and set a high pace to lead their sprinter out but one by one each faded quickly. As we approached the final kilometer, the lead rider was not able to hold the high speed and a traffic jam began to form. I had at least three handle bars hit my legs. In order to keep the ride safe, I nailed it and got the field strung out again. With less than 300 meters to go, the sprinters jumped off my wheel for the win. The winner of the sprint pushed 1933 watts in the final sprint. Damn, that is a lot. We regrouped and started to make our way back to the cars. Dustin and his roommate lead us back to the stadium where Michele and I parked. This year the ride did not seem as hard. Maybe, it was because there were no pros out there like years in the past. Maybe, it is because Michele and I are that much stronger…doubt that. Who knows why but it was still a great ride. Here are some stats from the ride.

Duration of the ride: 5:17

Average Speed: 21.7

Distance: 116

For majority of the country it seems a little early in the year to start talking about racing, tactics and preparation; however, for those who live in the South racing will be full on in a couple of weeks to a month.  So as we move into the season it is time to go over a couple of thoughts on race preparation and tactics.

Know the Rules

As a racer you must know the rules.  A rider must be aware of the rules for reasons of safety and the resulting disqualification and/or suspension which may transpire. Most of the rules applicable to road racing and the rules of the road are common sense. Only on closed road circuits can you forget the rules of the road. General behavior should be good and riders should avoid conflict with other road users at all costs and even amongst themselves. Pay close attention to what is going on, what other riders are doing, and what the officials are saying and doing.  Avoid blatant obstruction/blocking particularly in sprints. Check the race flier or the race bible for special instructions, particularly in stage races. In every case always read the flier or race bible thoroughly.

Know the Course

Get to know all the hazards and all the hills, junctions etc. Check the course on a good map, google earth or on mapmyride.  If the course is a local one, train on it! At least once. If the course is away try to arrive in sufficient time to go over it in the car.  If it is a criterium walk around the course and make mental notes of hazards, places to attack, find the lap counter at the start finish, and the finish stretch.  In all cases, you must take a look at the finish. Check the weather and the wind and take into account the affects of the wind and weather.

Know the Opposition

Early season can be deceptive.  Riders of quality may not be going well whereas lesser riders may be ‘flying’.  Most pre-registration web site you can look at therace rouster by category or age group.  Look at the list.  Pick out the danger men/women. Get to know their peculiarities, usual tactics etc. Read the results from previous years. Be well informed.

Know How to Read a Race

Some riders learn quickly how to read a race.  It’s no use saying “If only…” or closing the door after the horse has bolted. Know yourself and ride well within yourself, go with the right breaks and be there at the finish.  A good race reader has a good memory. He remembers all the details of the course, the opposition, the state of their fitness and he has confidence in his own fitness. He is strong willed and he is aggressive but he does not waste his energy. He applies himself to the job well.

Know Yourself

A rider must know himself and the extent of his capabilities. He must know his state of fitness and his coach should be able to tell him what it is. Find out the strong points; sprinting, climbing, flat out pursuit like riding etc. Work on weaker points. You will find that you probably excel in one aspect, be it only marginal. Make use of tactics which best suit your style and strengths. Only a rider who knows himself completely will obtain the full benefit from the tactical maneuvers available.

I have posted the 2012 Racing Calendar…just click on the 2012 Racing Schedule Tab above. The schedule covers all Georgia Racing, all Northern and Central Florida Racing, and a few Alabama and South Carolina racing.  In addition, there are some other races outside of  general areas mentioned above due to some of my clients asking about specific races. 

Keep the skinny side down!

I have not posted anything on my blog in sometime and I apologize for that.  I have no really good excuse besides life has gotten in the way.  lol!  I want to give a huge shout out to Michele Moulton for her recent upgrade to Category 1.  For a Cyclist this is a huge accomplishment and she has been able to do this in about 3 years.  I remember her first race back in August 2008 at Nocatee, she was nervous, anxious and had no clue what she was doing.  She showed up to the race with a sleeveless jersey and had to borrow mine.  She was mixed matched and in a jersey way too large for her.  A funny site to see!  Since that day she has put a lot of effort, dedication and sacrifice to get to where she is today.  She has raced hard, crashed hard, trained harder, and have had all the ups and downs that come with racing a bike.  This upgrade will open up doors to bigger and better races and at the same time change the way she will look at races since she will not be chasing points any more.  CONGRATULATIONS MICHELE!!!!!

Very Strange Weekend!

Michele and I headed up to Covington Georgia this past weekend to race.  The first race was a criterium in a new development.  The crit was basically a big oval with an uphill through the start/finish that has the only turn on the course, a 14% grade and a sweeping downhill.  Michele did the Women Pro, 1, 2 race and did extremely well.  She got off the front with another girl and lapped the field.  Unfortunately, the other girl dropped Michele, even though Michele was the stronger climber.  Michele was just out witted in the race.   Lastly, Michele got a total of $25.00 for taking 2^nd, which does not even cover her race entrance fee.

I raced the Pro, 1, 2 race which was at 7:45 pm.  It was a field of about 30 riders so not large at all.  Since I had not raced in a while I was not too sure how I was going to feel out there.  The first few laps were tough but I felt like my legs were coming around.  About 20 minutes into an hour long race, two deer came out of the woods and took out five riders as we were going down the back side of the course.  When we came around through the start finish, the race was stopped and the officials eventually called the race due to darkness.

The next day, we both had a 60 mile road race which consisted of 2 thirty mile hilly twisty loops.   Michele raced with the 35+ cat 4/5 and I decided to race with the 35+ (cat 1, 2, 3) since I did not have a feeder for a 90 mile pro 1, 2, race.  Michele took 3^rd but this time she was not out witted but was out played by cheese tactics.  As typical every time the women tried to attack and get away the men chased them down.   So at one point when Michele went toward the back, two of the other girls talked to a couple of their male friends to sit on the front and block so they could get away.   When Michele realized what was going on the two girls were already a few hundred yards off the front.

In my race, it was even stranger.   First off, our group lead vehicle took us the wrong way on the first lap, and only five riders went the right way.  I eventually got off the front with three other riders but going into the last lap we got chased down by one of the teams who had a rider in the break.  When our break got caught we ended up slowing down and got passed by the Cat 4 field.  Everyone in our field thought we were naturalized and when two riders went up the road and went through the field that just passed us we thought they would be disqualified.  About ten miles from the line four of us got away and I ended up taking 2 in the sprint.  So the results could be 2^nd, 4^th, 7^th, 9^th, or DQ’ed depending on what the officials decide.   We waited around for well over an hour at the race to find out what the results were going to be but between the disorganization with the promoter and the officials not making a decision Michele and I decided it was best to hit the road and get home.

In the end, the races this weekend were very disorganized and very disappointing.  I am slowly getting tired of small fields in Georgia and the lack of decent pay outs.  The Georgia race schedule is scattered amongst all different web-sites and the payouts for races do not even cover the race entrance fees.  For example, the payout for the winner of the Pro 1, 2 race was $80.00 which barely covered the race entrance fee.  As many riders are starting to say, it is better to stay home and get a good group ride in rather than go to these races.