I lined up with Len, Chris, John R, John S and 40 other guys in the "old-guy" Cat 4 race. Unfortunately, Rob F had other commitments so raced earlier with the "young-guy" Cat 4's. We rolled out on wet roads, but the rain stayed away and the roads dried throughout the race. MRC was ever-present at the front of the race, with me, Chris, Smudger and Len mixing it up in the front 10 or so for virtually the entire race. A few tried to get away, including Len, but there was plenty of testosterone at the front to keep them from getting more than 50 feet or so.
Every time up Lackey Rd, the group kinda disentegrated and strung-out...but everyone basically sat-up and recovered as we crossed the finish line so that no big gaps were formed and the field basically stayed together for the entire race.
To our team's credit, a few comments were heard from other racers:
"MRC came out to play today!"
"You guys obviously have the numbers and the talent, so I'm expecting that you'll be mixing it up at the finish."
On the final lap, post-Manchaug, I saw John Raguin for the first time since the neutral start. He moved up on the right and was looking very comfortable and confident in the saddle. As we hit the hard right-hander up Lackey Rd for the final sufferfest, all 5 MRC racers were well positioned at the front of the field. I was sitting around 8th or 9th as we started climbing and the suffering began in earnest. I moved up to 5th or 6th early on the hill, trying not to overextend myself too early but wanting a good result. Raguin shot up the hill like he was fired from a cannon; I had great hopes that he could hold off the chase...but feared that it could've been a "rookie move" and that he'd fade and pay for it near the summit. Len was climbing strong, as expected, and was grinding away in front of me in a gear that's WAY too big for me to turn. As we crested with 500m to go, John Smith came by me like a freight train. I tried to get in his slipstream, but that only lasted a few pedal-strokes. He and several others were well up the road, but I had a good gap on the next rider behind me. I buried myself and sprinted throught the finish to maintain my position, knowing that a top-10 was mine for the taking. I ended up 9th, which was neither spectactular nor disappointing...IMO; basically where I expected to be.
Details of other's races and results intentionally omitted so that they can tell their stories; but I'm very proud to say that MRC ending up with:
- Winner Winner Chicken Dinner
- 3 of the $$$ spots (top 5)
- 4 of the top 10
- all 5 of us finished in the top 25%
Basically, a great day for MRC and a good day for Doug.
Purgatory Cat 4 35+
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onegeardoug
- Chasseur
- Posts: 973
- Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:01 am
- Location: Marlboro, MA
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carlshimer
- Chasseur
- Posts: 525
- Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2008 8:40 am
- Location: Westborough
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
Great job today everyone on a very hard course. A very impressive site from the finish line to see MRC owning the race.
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
SWEET! Who got the W? (It's a sign of the team's strength that I don't automatically know)
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onegeardoug
- Chasseur
- Posts: 973
- Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:01 am
- Location: Marlboro, MA
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
I did that on purpose; others have to tell their stories. Let's just say, it was something of a surprise...IMO. Props to the team for a very strong showing.swawersik wrote:SWEET! Who got the W? (It's a sign of the team's strength that I don't automatically know)
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
Not me. I may have done too much mixing at the front, but I ended up 13th. I'm also having some serious 'GI' issues right now. Was that TMI?swawersik wrote:SWEET! Who got the W?
Looking forward to crit season......
Seriously though, that was a majorly fun race with a great group of teammates, and a spectacular MRC result. Congrats to everyone, including the "teammate to be named later"
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
:: on edge of seat, awaiting additional race reports ::
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PJ McQuade
- Chasseur
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- Location: Millbury
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
Well done and congrats, guys, especially to ___________ on the win! After watching you control the front from the feed zone on the first few laps I wasn't surprised at the total dominance you threw down. The whole team seems to be peaking - you should put something together for Housatonic next weekend and keep it alive. I feel like some upgrades could be on the way?
My race in the 3s is a tale of frustration and woe. I scaled my goals way back (finish with honor to just finish!) due to a lingering cold that got me late in the week. This did have its benefits because I was quite content sitting in the first 3 laps. Feeling better and better with each lap, I decided to (snot) rocket my way to the front midway up Lackey #4. There were 2 guys a minute off the front at this point and in typical cat 3 fashion we were more or less racing for third. Now it's the last time down Whitins, approaching the intersection to Manchaug when my rear derailleur starts acting up. No! My gear is literally glued and I'm riding a 53 x 25 single speed.I went from 5th wheel to midpack in a heartbeat as the tempo increased through the last few rollers. It was too late to stop for service so I figured I might as well just finish up. While the gearing allowed me to gain some spots up lackey, it didn't allow for a sprint whatsoever. So I spun my way to the finish with a comedic cadence. I think someone put a hex on this new bike. The fairly obvious but painful lesson: form and fitness mean nothing when your equipment fails. The culprit was a disengaged RD cable. Thing was hanging down like a broken guitar string.
My race in the 3s is a tale of frustration and woe. I scaled my goals way back (finish with honor to just finish!) due to a lingering cold that got me late in the week. This did have its benefits because I was quite content sitting in the first 3 laps. Feeling better and better with each lap, I decided to (snot) rocket my way to the front midway up Lackey #4. There were 2 guys a minute off the front at this point and in typical cat 3 fashion we were more or less racing for third. Now it's the last time down Whitins, approaching the intersection to Manchaug when my rear derailleur starts acting up. No! My gear is literally glued and I'm riding a 53 x 25 single speed.I went from 5th wheel to midpack in a heartbeat as the tempo increased through the last few rollers. It was too late to stop for service so I figured I might as well just finish up. While the gearing allowed me to gain some spots up lackey, it didn't allow for a sprint whatsoever. So I spun my way to the finish with a comedic cadence. I think someone put a hex on this new bike. The fairly obvious but painful lesson: form and fitness mean nothing when your equipment fails. The culprit was a disengaged RD cable. Thing was hanging down like a broken guitar string.
To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first.
-Shakespeare
-Shakespeare
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
Well, I guess I will give away part of the suspense and still leave you guessing the 2 other money slots.
I came into the race with a bunch of mileage in my legs over the last month and a taper this week so rested. Also a bit wiser in deciding to be more aggressive than I was at Lake Auburn to ensure I am nearer to the front especially in the final lap. With that said, I knew Purgatory can be punishing, and decided I would help block if Len (our designated A guy) needed it, but I was not going to try to break away and leave that to the rest of the guys.
First two laps, stayed around 20-25th wheel. On each lap on Lackey, I would basically move up to 10-12th wheel and had confidence since it seemed others were working hard/going backwards while I was not working that hard yet. 2nd time up Lackey I see that Doug, Smudger, and Chris were setting up a block to let Len go, so I slotted on the right to block as well. Didn’t work as other riders / teams covered the break. It was also on this time up Lackey I noticed a 545 Velo guy go pretty easily up the hill too, so I decided he was the wheel I would watch.
Fast forward to last lap: I am now staying in the top 12 wheels or so, and mostly watching the 545 Velo guy. I felt pretty good on the hill on Manchaug, and then ensure I am near the yellow line so I could carry some momentum into the turn onto Lackey. Sure enough, the 545 Velo guy is right in front of me. We turn onto Lackey and he starts going around riders and to the front. I follow him right there and consciously stay in the saddle. As we complete the first step up Lackey, he pulls right and seems to settle in. I pull next to him and we are at the front maybe 850 meters out. I decide it is now or never.
I give it a big surge and punch it out of saddle up the hill. I go through the second step quickly and am back in the saddle pumping hard before the 3rd step. My legs are starting to yell at me but I just keep going and don’t see anyone in my peripheral vision. I hit the 3rd step and my legs are starting to scream but I just keep pumping. I start to wonder if people are going to catch me because I am starting to slow down. Fear is a good motivator, because I give another big push and hit the 400 meters(?) to go sign at the false flat. I slam into the big ring and give it all I have to get the bike moving fast again. My legs are screaming at me now but I keep pumping. With 150 meters to go I hear a guy yelling “Dig, dig, dig!” so I figure people are right on me. So I dig incredibly deep with a final surge and come across the line bent over my bike with my tongue practically on the cement.
Yep, I won. Quite a surprise for me. I was psyched for myself albeit maybe too exhausted to show it, but even more psyched by the team result and the pounding on the back from all the guys on the ride back to the cars.
I am now sitting here, beer in hand, sore all over, with a big grin. As my son would say, MRC owned this race.
I came into the race with a bunch of mileage in my legs over the last month and a taper this week so rested. Also a bit wiser in deciding to be more aggressive than I was at Lake Auburn to ensure I am nearer to the front especially in the final lap. With that said, I knew Purgatory can be punishing, and decided I would help block if Len (our designated A guy) needed it, but I was not going to try to break away and leave that to the rest of the guys.
First two laps, stayed around 20-25th wheel. On each lap on Lackey, I would basically move up to 10-12th wheel and had confidence since it seemed others were working hard/going backwards while I was not working that hard yet. 2nd time up Lackey I see that Doug, Smudger, and Chris were setting up a block to let Len go, so I slotted on the right to block as well. Didn’t work as other riders / teams covered the break. It was also on this time up Lackey I noticed a 545 Velo guy go pretty easily up the hill too, so I decided he was the wheel I would watch.
Fast forward to last lap: I am now staying in the top 12 wheels or so, and mostly watching the 545 Velo guy. I felt pretty good on the hill on Manchaug, and then ensure I am near the yellow line so I could carry some momentum into the turn onto Lackey. Sure enough, the 545 Velo guy is right in front of me. We turn onto Lackey and he starts going around riders and to the front. I follow him right there and consciously stay in the saddle. As we complete the first step up Lackey, he pulls right and seems to settle in. I pull next to him and we are at the front maybe 850 meters out. I decide it is now or never.
I give it a big surge and punch it out of saddle up the hill. I go through the second step quickly and am back in the saddle pumping hard before the 3rd step. My legs are starting to yell at me but I just keep going and don’t see anyone in my peripheral vision. I hit the 3rd step and my legs are starting to scream but I just keep pumping. I start to wonder if people are going to catch me because I am starting to slow down. Fear is a good motivator, because I give another big push and hit the 400 meters(?) to go sign at the false flat. I slam into the big ring and give it all I have to get the bike moving fast again. My legs are screaming at me now but I keep pumping. With 150 meters to go I hear a guy yelling “Dig, dig, dig!” so I figure people are right on me. So I dig incredibly deep with a final surge and come across the line bent over my bike with my tongue practically on the cement.
Yep, I won. Quite a surprise for me. I was psyched for myself albeit maybe too exhausted to show it, but even more psyched by the team result and the pounding on the back from all the guys on the ride back to the cars.
I am now sitting here, beer in hand, sore all over, with a big grin. As my son would say, MRC owned this race.
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
Great job MRC and a huge congrats to JR!
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
Well done John! And nice work to the rest of you.
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
Chapeau Monsieur Raguin.
As said, Chris, Doug, Len and I hung out at the front of the race. Len gave it a go on lap 2 but just pulled everyone for a while. It was really surprising how the group stayed together. I thought Lackey would have caused more separation but it didn't.
Last lap I told John to jump on Richard's (stage 5) wheel which positioned him nice for the start of Lackey. All 5 of us were in the top 10 wheels. Great riding. I had decided to ride the hill hard but not totally red line so I could sprint over the top of the hill to the finish. This meant I dropped to the back of the lead group over the 1st steep. Meanwhile John R shot to the front and Len and the 545 guy were duking out in 2nd and 3rd. Like Doug I thought John had been a bit ambitious with the speed he set off up the hill but he just kept going. Through the flatter section I pulled back and on the 2nd steep I was beside Chris and on the 3rd I passed Doug. I slammed it into the big ring but at 200M Mike Brier pulls past. Fortunately I have enough to jump straight on his wheel (can't let him beat me). We are pulling 4th 5th and 6th in super fast. I wait for 50M to go and jump past Brier on his left (out of the wind) and sprint to take 4th. Was too far back to get near the podium.
John rode like a pro today saved his effort for when it paid off and gave it everything. He was so utterly spent after crossing the line it was great to see.
This was by far the most fun race of the year which is a lot for me to say considering how much I hated it last year. We had a lot of chat before the race about how we could dominate which we did and we got the results to match. Great team race.
As said, Chris, Doug, Len and I hung out at the front of the race. Len gave it a go on lap 2 but just pulled everyone for a while. It was really surprising how the group stayed together. I thought Lackey would have caused more separation but it didn't.
Last lap I told John to jump on Richard's (stage 5) wheel which positioned him nice for the start of Lackey. All 5 of us were in the top 10 wheels. Great riding. I had decided to ride the hill hard but not totally red line so I could sprint over the top of the hill to the finish. This meant I dropped to the back of the lead group over the 1st steep. Meanwhile John R shot to the front and Len and the 545 guy were duking out in 2nd and 3rd. Like Doug I thought John had been a bit ambitious with the speed he set off up the hill but he just kept going. Through the flatter section I pulled back and on the 2nd steep I was beside Chris and on the 3rd I passed Doug. I slammed it into the big ring but at 200M Mike Brier pulls past. Fortunately I have enough to jump straight on his wheel (can't let him beat me). We are pulling 4th 5th and 6th in super fast. I wait for 50M to go and jump past Brier on his left (out of the wind) and sprint to take 4th. Was too far back to get near the podium.
John rode like a pro today saved his effort for when it paid off and gave it everything. He was so utterly spent after crossing the line it was great to see.
This was by far the most fun race of the year which is a lot for me to say considering how much I hated it last year. We had a lot of chat before the race about how we could dominate which we did and we got the results to match. Great team race.
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
Holy crap, congrats JR and team. Incredible! I can't believe i missed this race. Awesome results
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
Wow, congrats John. Great race, guys. Not just a fluke but great to see so many in the $$ again like a month ago.
Looking forward to racing with everyone during crit season!
Looking forward to racing with everyone during crit season!
I'm 20PoundSkull at cyclowhat.com.
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
Not much to add at this late hour, been tied up with a pretty sick kid for the past 8 hours. But reading all this fires me up again. JR, great race. I'm with Doug and Smudger, I thought you jumped too early and would lose it at the 3rd Lackey bump. You didn't and made us all proud. I stayed as close as I could but you had way too much power and the 545 guy never really threatened so the match was he and I and he had enough left to stay clear after the crest.
And how about THE TEAM!!! The MRC team was a sight to behold today. As others have said, we were always near the front, pushing the pace, chasing down breaks, keeping the mob ruled. Quite a difference from Wayne Elliot when the mob ruled until Smudger took over in the sprint.
Doug and Chris were huge at the front of the pack, making sure no one got too spunky and when someone went, they were rarely accompanied. The die was cast after the 2nd lap and few tried to break on lap 3. I made a go of it on lap 2 but with no one around, I knew I wasn't staying out there for long. A few others tried but failed to break and no one, other than MRC, was sufficiently organized to do much.
On the 2nd time up Lackey I felt those cramp pangs in my thighs. I wasn't completely surprised because in the training ride 2 weeks ago the same thing happened. Since it was about 20 degrees colder and I was hydrating a lot more I figured I was going to be ok. To be on the safe side I tucked into the pack on lap 3 and let others do the work. Those others - Doug, Smudger and Chris were great and made sure no one strayed. It's great to hear Smudger's voice shouting - "go with him Len, he's dangerous." Without knowing who he's talking about I jump out of my saddle and pound out a few meters and things calm down for a bit. Team is great.
Heading toward Lackey #4, Smudger checked in to see how I was feeling and then confidently said that he would lead me into the turn. It was a terrific feeling to be on the wheel of someone you have total confidence in. I turned into Lackey a dozen or so back with Smudger and Chris's wheel within arms-length. I saw Doug up a bit digging very deep and John was positioning himself. Imagine that! 15 or so guys at the base of Lackey on the last lap and 4 of them are your guys! John jumped just after the first bump and I began to move up. A couple of guys who jumped earlier were spinning air by the time John whistled past them. The 545 guy and I traded positions for a bit but John had a gap. He was driving and then there were just 3 of us heading up the 3rd bump. His gap was enough to demoralize the 545 guy who had enough left to keep me at bay. John was just beyond the line when I passed through and appeared to be gasping up a lung. Luckily he has three more just like it.
Hats off to PJ on his fantastic finish even though it was not what he wanted. I was with him just before he started and he looked like hell from his sickness and appeared to be longing for his couch. He wasn't sure whether he would stick it out the full 5 laps and who could blame him. It takes a hell of a lot to stay in a race like this when you're feeling lousy, but to actually be a factor is huge. Great work PJ.
And how about THE TEAM!!! The MRC team was a sight to behold today. As others have said, we were always near the front, pushing the pace, chasing down breaks, keeping the mob ruled. Quite a difference from Wayne Elliot when the mob ruled until Smudger took over in the sprint.
Doug and Chris were huge at the front of the pack, making sure no one got too spunky and when someone went, they were rarely accompanied. The die was cast after the 2nd lap and few tried to break on lap 3. I made a go of it on lap 2 but with no one around, I knew I wasn't staying out there for long. A few others tried but failed to break and no one, other than MRC, was sufficiently organized to do much.
On the 2nd time up Lackey I felt those cramp pangs in my thighs. I wasn't completely surprised because in the training ride 2 weeks ago the same thing happened. Since it was about 20 degrees colder and I was hydrating a lot more I figured I was going to be ok. To be on the safe side I tucked into the pack on lap 3 and let others do the work. Those others - Doug, Smudger and Chris were great and made sure no one strayed. It's great to hear Smudger's voice shouting - "go with him Len, he's dangerous." Without knowing who he's talking about I jump out of my saddle and pound out a few meters and things calm down for a bit. Team is great.
Heading toward Lackey #4, Smudger checked in to see how I was feeling and then confidently said that he would lead me into the turn. It was a terrific feeling to be on the wheel of someone you have total confidence in. I turned into Lackey a dozen or so back with Smudger and Chris's wheel within arms-length. I saw Doug up a bit digging very deep and John was positioning himself. Imagine that! 15 or so guys at the base of Lackey on the last lap and 4 of them are your guys! John jumped just after the first bump and I began to move up. A couple of guys who jumped earlier were spinning air by the time John whistled past them. The 545 guy and I traded positions for a bit but John had a gap. He was driving and then there were just 3 of us heading up the 3rd bump. His gap was enough to demoralize the 545 guy who had enough left to keep me at bay. John was just beyond the line when I passed through and appeared to be gasping up a lung. Luckily he has three more just like it.
Hats off to PJ on his fantastic finish even though it was not what he wanted. I was with him just before he started and he looked like hell from his sickness and appeared to be longing for his couch. He wasn't sure whether he would stick it out the full 5 laps and who could blame him. It takes a hell of a lot to stay in a race like this when you're feeling lousy, but to actually be a factor is huge. Great work PJ.
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
Great race reports and results. Congratulations to all racers and hats-off to JR.
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
I thought I'd post up a picture of those results for the sake of posterity:
I'm 20PoundSkull at cyclowhat.com.
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RFollansbee
- Peloton
- Posts: 402
- Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:27 pm
- Location: Grafton
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
Awesome job John. That's a great result in a tough race. Wish I could have stayed in the field.
My quick summary:
Felt good the whole race. On lap 2 I lead down the Mendon Rd descent and then Kevin Sweeney attacked as we turned onto Benson. I followed. We got about 35 seconds ahead and then starting getting slowly reeled in on the lead in to Lackey so I coasted back to the group. Just as I was going back the Arc guy bridged up to Kevin. Race over. He smoked us by 8+ minutes. I should have stayed with Kevin since he ended up staying 2+ minutes ahead of us as well. Our race seemed very slow. Last time up Lackey me, a Goguen and one other guy lead everyone up until a truck pulled out between us and the Masters field we were catching right at the top of the climb. Total cluster. Between being spent, the truck and the masters I ended up 11th. Totally happy since it seems the young'uns were aplenty again.
Glad to see the McCormacks putting the hurt on the 3's this year. Last year was so much harder with those two.
My quick summary:
Felt good the whole race. On lap 2 I lead down the Mendon Rd descent and then Kevin Sweeney attacked as we turned onto Benson. I followed. We got about 35 seconds ahead and then starting getting slowly reeled in on the lead in to Lackey so I coasted back to the group. Just as I was going back the Arc guy bridged up to Kevin. Race over. He smoked us by 8+ minutes. I should have stayed with Kevin since he ended up staying 2+ minutes ahead of us as well. Our race seemed very slow. Last time up Lackey me, a Goguen and one other guy lead everyone up until a truck pulled out between us and the Masters field we were catching right at the top of the climb. Total cluster. Between being spent, the truck and the masters I ended up 11th. Totally happy since it seems the young'uns were aplenty again.
Glad to see the McCormacks putting the hurt on the 3's this year. Last year was so much harder with those two.
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
Nice finish Rob. That guy won Sunapee as well, on a solo breakaway. My guess is he won't be our problem anymore, PJ can deal with him...
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
The finish photo shows it all. I can't get any more aerodynamic than that and there was definitely no celebrating as I crossed the line.
- 4 35+.png (66.28 KiB) Viewed 15203 times
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
That's a keeper.
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scott_sweeney
- Tête de la course
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- Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2007 8:43 pm
- Location: Stow
- Contact:
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
JR, fantastic job!!
Sorry I didn't end up making it Rob....family commits had me out late the night before, just wasn't happening.
Kevin Sweeney is an elite MTB'r and Cat 2 CX racer. What the hell is doing in a Cat 4 RR?
Sorry I didn't end up making it Rob....family commits had me out late the night before, just wasn't happening.
Kevin Sweeney is an elite MTB'r and Cat 2 CX racer. What the hell is doing in a Cat 4 RR?
Whoever said nothing is impossible never tried slamming a revolving door.
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
Nice work team! Makes feel a little better about not being able to hold your wheels on those FMRs. Not only am I trying to keep up with the elite MRC climbers, I'm trying to keep up with New England's elite cat 4 climbers!
You see JR, I told you you had nothing to fear in the 4s!
You see JR, I told you you had nothing to fear in the 4s!
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
WOW! this is AWESOME!
Nice work, so cool to see so much MRC at the front.
Nice work, so cool to see so much MRC at the front.
Re: Purgatory Cat 4 35+
A couple of MRC racers that raced at Purgatory as well should be mentioned:
* Matt Smith, a new MRC member, got 13th in the 5s in his second race ever. Nice job Matt! Hey, when are you going to register your entry as MRC and buy & fly the colors?
* Lym Para who raced the Women's 3/4 race also I believe her second race ever.
* Matt Smith, a new MRC member, got 13th in the 5s in his second race ever. Nice job Matt! Hey, when are you going to register your entry as MRC and buy & fly the colors?
* Lym Para who raced the Women's 3/4 race also I believe her second race ever.