NY Capital Region RR - Cat 5

[Doran Abel]

Nothing good or exciting to report as the lone MRC representative, except survival. I wanted to do one last long-ish RR this season especially since I didn’t get in for D2R2 and was out of state for Hilltowns. This was my second year in a row doing this Cat 5 race - two 20 mile laps plus about a 3 mile rolling start. I was hoping for a top 15 or 20 finish with some pop in the legs, but it was not to be. I finished in the mid 20’s for Cat 5 placing and was a long way back to the tune of about 14 minutes. Similar to last year, but I did beat my last year’s time by about 1 min. 30 sec. – a little consolation. There was also a Cat 4/5 race that started 4 mins. in front of the Cat 5 group and I did catch a few of those stragglers (like me but worse). 90% of the race, I found packs of stragglers to ride with and break the backside headwind but the race was pretty much blown apart on the first lap during the first two climbs.

There were four climbs per lap with three coming in the first half of each lap. Two of the front half climbs were nasty – one long at about 2 miles (500’ gain) with spots around 8% to 10%, and one short but very steep grind at about 0.5 miles (215’ gain) with some spots at 15% to 18%. The third climb was also short with a beginning spot of about 15% to 18% then leveling off fairly quick. The thing that made these little steeps difficult (for old legs) is they come off of roaring downhills with a sharp turns before and on the climbs. I saw a lot of carnage last year – riders even walking – less so this year. Later I checked my HRM and hit 185 as my max somewhere on one of these climbs. The finishing 1 mile climb wasn’t too bad – less steep and you could get into a bit of a tempo climb (better for me) and pick off some riders. Last year the weather was so hot and muggy it was beyond belief (fog, haze over the Hudson river) – but this year warm, but dry (nice views to the Berkshires and Catskills). The dryer weather may be why my time was a bit better this year and I didn’t run out of fluids.

I talked to a Cat 1-2 women rider (Team Bikeway) after the race, she placed 7th or 8th, but was disappointed – I would have liked her time though. She said she struggled with the short steeps and difficult transitions too. She’s raced against Anna Barensfeld a few times so she remembered MRC.

[Bruce]

Doran there is a spot fro you in D2R2 if you want it.

[Doran Abel]

Bruce - I think I have to stay out for D2R2. Burnt myself out on the long drive last weekend and need to stay around home for my son's b-day weekend. If I get a wild last minute craving, I would just probably do the 40 mile easy ride that' still open. Thanks for the offer, but don't wait for me.