Finally a good race report, I was starting to wonder why I did all this training.
Lined up in the Cat3/4 with John R. and Rob D. and 40+ other dumbasses in the 2nd worst conditions ever at Quabbin, 38 and pouring rain. I had briefly considered bailing on this, I’ve simply done too many races in this crappy weather. But that thought lasted for about 7 seconds and I said screw it, it’s either race or ride the trainer. Me no likey the trainer.
Start of race is pretty tame, for about 10 minutes, then as usual the shite hit the fan and attacks were going left and right. I did my best Chris Pare imitation and rode in the top 10 for basically the entire race, with hardly ever any time on the front. I didn’t even do my usual pack slide, holding position on every climb. There’s a really long one about 20 miles in, the pace was pretty high but manageable. I remember thinking if anyone attacked here it would be trouble. No one did. Looked back on the descent and we had lost some peeps. At about mile 30 John rolled up and told me Rob had flatted. I had kind of figured, as he was a fixture at the front as well, until he wasn’t. That sucks.
Anyway, I never actually felt “good” so I just kept making each selection. I pushed the pace some on the descents, there seemed to be some people who were A-Scared of going downhill. No reason to give them a free ride. Fast forward to mile 50 (Stefan would have much more detail here sorry), with 2 guys off the front, I descended aggressively, looked back and realized I was off the front, closer to the break that the pack. I put in a small effort and bridged up. Another couple of guys joined in and it was looking promising. Maybe 2 miles later we got caught, but the field was down to 25 or so. No harm no foul. Same 2 guys (and a 3rd) attacked again, I didn’t go with them, but none of the remaining teams chased, and the gap got pretty large. I got a little antsy here but I was in a tough predicament with 2 good sized teams and other guys with teammates.
I tossed the jacket when we hit route 9, 2 solid climbs I needed to shed some weight. We went steady enough for me to stay top 3 on both climbs, and hit the park down to about 12 guys, plus 3 out front still in shouting distance but not a definite catch. I was feeling pretty comfortable at this point (relatively speaking I was freezing my nuggets off). I had to put in some efforts on attacks but I wasn’t about to let anyone get away. We caught one break-ee but the other 2 were off to glory, oh well. The road really starts to kick up with 1 mile to go, a Boston Independent guy attacks and I am the only one to respond, on the steep part. I decide this was it and I pass him and go for the podium. I hammered for another minute and the hill just wouldn’t end. Someone must have attacked behind as they caught me right at the top, some 400 meters from the line. I was gassed so I jump in the line as it flattened out before the 200m uphill sprint. At this point I’m seeing stars, everyone sprints and I pass 3 or 4 guys but I can’t catch a couple of young whipper snappers and I go all out to the line, I think 7th place but not confirmed yet.
I have no regrets. I had the podium in sight but so many matches had been burned it just wasn’t to be.
Oh and I heard the old man 4/5 was interesting. Stay tuned.
Quabbin 3/4
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PJ McQuade
- Chasseur
- Posts: 769
- Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:44 pm
- Location: Millbury
Re: Quabbin 3/4
Nice result, Jeremy. Strong performances in those kinds of conditions are reserved for the mentally rigid. It helps that your form is there too. Keep it going for KMSR.
To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first.
-Shakespeare
-Shakespeare
Re: Quabbin 3/4
Nice Jeremy!! Sorry I wasn't there with you. Maybe we could have caught them. 
-Chris Busick
Quabin Old Man 4/5
I'm really looking forward to a race where I don't have to spend so much time figuring out what to wear.
Ken and I lined up in the first row for the CAT 4/5 40+. I was shivering was we waited for the start. I think there were only 40 or so of the 73 people who had preregged who were either too cheap to give up their $55 or too stupid to realize how miserable this race was going to be. There was one part of the roll out where the pavement was course enough that the tires didn't kick up water and there was a momentary pause in the rain where I said, "Well, this isn't so bad".
Ken was convinced that there would be a rush of people going by us when we turned onto 9, and he picked up the pace which turned into a mini break. I sat in on the reluctant "chase" about 4 men back until he was caught.
5 miles in I realized that my winter booties, although warm in the winter, aren't doing crap to keep my feet dry.
20 miles in my left hand is completely numb and nearly slips off the bars.
There were a couple guys that were active in the race, Irish Tom on a Parlee, I big sprinter type (the white moose) who demonstrated why an all white kit is a terrible idea on a day like today. Esp. when his shorts turned completely transparent, beige rainjacket and clear rainjacket, a couple NCC guys and a few 545 guys. Nearly everyone else was just racing to survive, and didn't seem to have any enthusiasm. It was hard to judge how serious people were since there were so many strange attempts by people to find the right outfit to survive. Weird showercap things on helments. Jersey's over jackets. Flappy rain coats, etc.
I managed to spend most of the race between 2nd and 5th wheel, trying to keep out of most of the spray.
I didn't see much of Ken, but his recon was spot on, esp of 202, and I can't thank him enough as I was in the right spot to avoid the worse holes for the length of 202.
30 miles in 3 545s move up to the front and pick up the pace on one of the hills. When I stand the bike feels really weird, like the rear wheel isn't in the drops right or something, but it's just that my arms are so numb they aren't working right. After a couple minutes of standing climbing things start to feel more normal. It's a struggle to keep my left hand alive though.
When we hit greenwich road, two NCC guys move to the front. The lead takes off while the second guy blocked. Nobody cared other than Irish Tom, who took off. I took off and joined up with him, and eventually Clear Jacket C-Dale joined us too. It was good to be off the front for that road, but my hands and arms were so cold that I was having trouble shifting and nearly blew a corner by being too lazy to turn properly. Just before we caught the NCC guy I could see that the pack had caught us.
I lead onto that crappy road through the park, and actually had a gap when I got onto route 9, but had no interest in doing anything with it.
Irish Tom and the White Moose exchanged the lead with beige jacket on the two climbes on 9. I just held my position in 3rd wheel. I could stay with them but my legs felt dead.
Beige jacket attacked the downhill and then into the park, but we were all together on the first climb.
Irish Tom seemed like the only guy who knew how to race so I was planning on following his wheel in the sprint, but he seized up and dropped back before we hit the flat. I was worred about sprinting against the white moose, but all of a sudden he said "I guess that's it, my legs are done" and dropped out. I continued to follow beige jacket. I'd dumped my second bottle, was in the right gear and ready to chase down anyone who opened the sprint, but as we approached 200M nobody attacked. Finally about 10m before 200m I jumped. I didn't look back, but the sprint felt really weak. 100m left and I knew I was flagging. Someone must be coming by. Maybe I could hold on for 3rd. I resisted the urge to look back and kept pounding the pedals. I heard Ken's wife yell "Go Chris!". I kept going and there was the line. I looked back and the nearest guy was 50' from the line.
I wasn't as much excited by the win as relived that I wouldn't get too much sh$t from Jeremy.
Ken and I lined up in the first row for the CAT 4/5 40+. I was shivering was we waited for the start. I think there were only 40 or so of the 73 people who had preregged who were either too cheap to give up their $55 or too stupid to realize how miserable this race was going to be. There was one part of the roll out where the pavement was course enough that the tires didn't kick up water and there was a momentary pause in the rain where I said, "Well, this isn't so bad".
Ken was convinced that there would be a rush of people going by us when we turned onto 9, and he picked up the pace which turned into a mini break. I sat in on the reluctant "chase" about 4 men back until he was caught.
5 miles in I realized that my winter booties, although warm in the winter, aren't doing crap to keep my feet dry.
20 miles in my left hand is completely numb and nearly slips off the bars.
There were a couple guys that were active in the race, Irish Tom on a Parlee, I big sprinter type (the white moose) who demonstrated why an all white kit is a terrible idea on a day like today. Esp. when his shorts turned completely transparent, beige rainjacket and clear rainjacket, a couple NCC guys and a few 545 guys. Nearly everyone else was just racing to survive, and didn't seem to have any enthusiasm. It was hard to judge how serious people were since there were so many strange attempts by people to find the right outfit to survive. Weird showercap things on helments. Jersey's over jackets. Flappy rain coats, etc.
I managed to spend most of the race between 2nd and 5th wheel, trying to keep out of most of the spray.
I didn't see much of Ken, but his recon was spot on, esp of 202, and I can't thank him enough as I was in the right spot to avoid the worse holes for the length of 202.
30 miles in 3 545s move up to the front and pick up the pace on one of the hills. When I stand the bike feels really weird, like the rear wheel isn't in the drops right or something, but it's just that my arms are so numb they aren't working right. After a couple minutes of standing climbing things start to feel more normal. It's a struggle to keep my left hand alive though.
When we hit greenwich road, two NCC guys move to the front. The lead takes off while the second guy blocked. Nobody cared other than Irish Tom, who took off. I took off and joined up with him, and eventually Clear Jacket C-Dale joined us too. It was good to be off the front for that road, but my hands and arms were so cold that I was having trouble shifting and nearly blew a corner by being too lazy to turn properly. Just before we caught the NCC guy I could see that the pack had caught us.
I lead onto that crappy road through the park, and actually had a gap when I got onto route 9, but had no interest in doing anything with it.
Irish Tom and the White Moose exchanged the lead with beige jacket on the two climbes on 9. I just held my position in 3rd wheel. I could stay with them but my legs felt dead.
Beige jacket attacked the downhill and then into the park, but we were all together on the first climb.
Irish Tom seemed like the only guy who knew how to race so I was planning on following his wheel in the sprint, but he seized up and dropped back before we hit the flat. I was worred about sprinting against the white moose, but all of a sudden he said "I guess that's it, my legs are done" and dropped out. I continued to follow beige jacket. I'd dumped my second bottle, was in the right gear and ready to chase down anyone who opened the sprint, but as we approached 200M nobody attacked. Finally about 10m before 200m I jumped. I didn't look back, but the sprint felt really weak. 100m left and I knew I was flagging. Someone must be coming by. Maybe I could hold on for 3rd. I resisted the urge to look back and kept pounding the pedals. I heard Ken's wife yell "Go Chris!". I kept going and there was the line. I looked back and the nearest guy was 50' from the line.
I wasn't as much excited by the win as relived that I wouldn't get too much sh$t from Jeremy.
-Chris Busick
Re: Quabbin 3/4
Nice job to both of you. True hardmen.
-
PJ McQuade
- Chasseur
- Posts: 769
- Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:44 pm
- Location: Millbury
Re: Quabbin 3/4
No race is ever a sure thing, but I had a feeling your race would end this way. KUDOS! I like the characters you create in these reports. I'm sure moose man will be happy you are riding at the front of the Cat 3s next race!
To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first.
-Shakespeare
-Shakespeare
Re: Quabbin 3/4
Very nice W Chris, that truely was an epic day. Hardman kudos to all that lined up. What a mess out there!
As Jeremy mentioned my race day basically ended after slamming a water filled pothole at top speed. Did I say it was a mess out there? For 1 millisecond I thought about grabbing a wheel and trying to catch back on but the front seat of the wheel car looked so inviting! I just couldn't resist and bagged it right there. Looking back this was probably the smartest thing I did all morning. : )
Jeremy/John you guys were looking good out there on such a miserable day.
I need to invest in a better rain coat, any recommendations? I would have been better off wearing a poncho.
As Jeremy mentioned my race day basically ended after slamming a water filled pothole at top speed. Did I say it was a mess out there? For 1 millisecond I thought about grabbing a wheel and trying to catch back on but the front seat of the wheel car looked so inviting! I just couldn't resist and bagged it right there. Looking back this was probably the smartest thing I did all morning. : )
Jeremy/John you guys were looking good out there on such a miserable day.
I need to invest in a better rain coat, any recommendations? I would have been better off wearing a poncho.
Re: Quabbin 3/4
I always write a long-ish race report especially when I do well, so it would be bad form for me not to write one when I don't do well.
The summary is: I wimped out when it counted. I am still fuming at myself, although at the moment I bagged I was happy with my decision.
The detail was I was in the Cat 3/4 with Jeremy & Rob. I had the outfit I thought I would wear, and at the last second put on a rain jacket with the thought that I would take it off after the first decent. Well, after the decent out of the park, I was soaked and shivering. That is 3 miles into the race. I felt marginally better (still very cold) after the first few hills. I was doing a much better job hanging near the front. I wasn't quite up where Jeremy was, but was right behind him or within a bike length most of the time. There were plenty of attacks, but I was covering them well. I mostly watched Andrew Goodale's wheel (Team CF) and went when he went.
However, more preoccupying my mind than the race was how cold I was. I was shivering so hard my bike was shaking. I kept oscillating between utterly freezing (after a descent) and very cold (after a hard attack up hill). I couldn't feel my fingers and it was hard to even shift my gears. At various points, I felt I should drop out and find a store to go sit in. I finally hit a point after a fast descent that my mind had just packed it in. We hit a gradual uphill around 48 miles and I just gave up and soft pedaled up.
So the stupid part, besides giving up, was that I had to go the same distance to go home as the course. So my fastest way home would have been to stay with the pack. But mentally I just had given up at that point. It felt like a good decision at the time, but after I warmed up in the car, I was fuming. I am still fuming. Never give up. I am so mad at myself, I can't describe it. It sucks.
John
The summary is: I wimped out when it counted. I am still fuming at myself, although at the moment I bagged I was happy with my decision.
The detail was I was in the Cat 3/4 with Jeremy & Rob. I had the outfit I thought I would wear, and at the last second put on a rain jacket with the thought that I would take it off after the first decent. Well, after the decent out of the park, I was soaked and shivering. That is 3 miles into the race. I felt marginally better (still very cold) after the first few hills. I was doing a much better job hanging near the front. I wasn't quite up where Jeremy was, but was right behind him or within a bike length most of the time. There were plenty of attacks, but I was covering them well. I mostly watched Andrew Goodale's wheel (Team CF) and went when he went.
However, more preoccupying my mind than the race was how cold I was. I was shivering so hard my bike was shaking. I kept oscillating between utterly freezing (after a descent) and very cold (after a hard attack up hill). I couldn't feel my fingers and it was hard to even shift my gears. At various points, I felt I should drop out and find a store to go sit in. I finally hit a point after a fast descent that my mind had just packed it in. We hit a gradual uphill around 48 miles and I just gave up and soft pedaled up.
So the stupid part, besides giving up, was that I had to go the same distance to go home as the course. So my fastest way home would have been to stay with the pack. But mentally I just had given up at that point. It felt like a good decision at the time, but after I warmed up in the car, I was fuming. I am still fuming. Never give up. I am so mad at myself, I can't describe it. It sucks.
John
Re: Quabbin 3/4
John,
I think it was only how mad I'd been at myself in previous years of this race where I didn't commit to fighting to the very end that kept me from quitting yesterday.
How long did it take you to warm up in the car? You were still shivering pretty bad when I saw you. I wonder just how hypothermic you got?
-Chris
I think it was only how mad I'd been at myself in previous years of this race where I didn't commit to fighting to the very end that kept me from quitting yesterday.
How long did it take you to warm up in the car? You were still shivering pretty bad when I saw you. I wonder just how hypothermic you got?
-Chris
-Chris Busick
-
kenchadwick
- Autobus
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Tue Jun 19, 2012 3:21 pm
Re: Quabbin 3/4
You guys wont believe what happened to me. For the later part along rt 202, I started yo-yoing on the hills. I was really disappointed because I thought my fitness had come along well enough to hang on, but alas, not yet. Chris, I stayed as close behind you as I could on Rt 202, but one of the hills just before the turn the pace went a bit harder and I got dropped and burnt too bad to catch up. I really rode well after I recovered, but was all alone. Everyone I caught couldn't latch on. I could see the group for a long time, but just couldn't get closer, until I gave up trying in the climb to rt32A. I still rode hard though.
I'm getting very close, I think it's more fitness for race dynamics than general fitness at this point. I'll keep training my backside off, literally and figuratively. Disappointed, but legs feel good.
Then disaster struck. About 2-3 miles outside of Ware along the very fast flat stretch a car pulled out right in front of me from the left. I hit the brakes and of course they were soaked and just about nothing happened. It was hit the back of the car, go right and off the road or go left and let them accelerate. I'm sure we have all taken the left lane option before. Thought I was good! Then the car immediately turned left into a driveway (it was the vineyard, if you know where that is). I yelled and almost missed, but their mirror (a big SUV) hit my shoulder and I went down. Slid off the left side of the road into the shoulder, just past the driveway by a few feet into mostly grass by the time I stopped sliding, but I did hit some pavement. The people sat in their car yelling at me out the window for being in their way while I was on the ground trying to figure out if I was OK. Shoulder hurt bad but I could move it around, my right hand was bleeding and I felt the obligatory rash on my right hip, but no rips (thanks to the rain I guess). Got up and stood there for a minute or so (no help from the people sitting in the car 20 feet from me). I yelled at them for cutting me off, I think. Picked up the bike. Front wheel wouldn't spin. Chain was off, sod and dirt in the brake and crank. I pulled it out and after what seemed like about 10 tries I got the chain back on. I remember thinking, I think my bike is OK. I figure I'd wait though because of my hand was bleeding out through my glove. After a few minutes, nobody came by, not a rider or car. Yes, the people are still sitting in their driveway. I got on the bike and tried to ride. Chain fell off and front wheel was scraping. Got off and put the chain on and saw some more dirt on the front brake. Tried again and got the brakes to clear and I was riding OK, so I figured I'd limp in, After about a mile or so, a lead car and four women passed me. I actually felt OK (a lot of blood on the white bar tape and on my leg though) so I hung in behind the wheel car. Yelled at a cop in Ware that the vineyard people hit me. On rt 9 I started feeling sick and lost the women, but I kept going at a pretty good pace considering. Finished and got help from the med folks at the finish line.
Two knuckles on my hand were bleeding pretty good, the rain made it look worse than it was, but I lost some flesh and have a bit of a sprain. My shoulder and right side are real sore and stiff, but not broken. It's getting better already.
Can you believe those people sat in their car and never helped me for at least 10 minutes.
I'll be OK to ride outside in a few days. Keep the hand bandaged for a while.
Lucky I guess! The bike cleaned up and is fine, but my wheels need truing.
I'm getting very close, I think it's more fitness for race dynamics than general fitness at this point. I'll keep training my backside off, literally and figuratively. Disappointed, but legs feel good.
Then disaster struck. About 2-3 miles outside of Ware along the very fast flat stretch a car pulled out right in front of me from the left. I hit the brakes and of course they were soaked and just about nothing happened. It was hit the back of the car, go right and off the road or go left and let them accelerate. I'm sure we have all taken the left lane option before. Thought I was good! Then the car immediately turned left into a driveway (it was the vineyard, if you know where that is). I yelled and almost missed, but their mirror (a big SUV) hit my shoulder and I went down. Slid off the left side of the road into the shoulder, just past the driveway by a few feet into mostly grass by the time I stopped sliding, but I did hit some pavement. The people sat in their car yelling at me out the window for being in their way while I was on the ground trying to figure out if I was OK. Shoulder hurt bad but I could move it around, my right hand was bleeding and I felt the obligatory rash on my right hip, but no rips (thanks to the rain I guess). Got up and stood there for a minute or so (no help from the people sitting in the car 20 feet from me). I yelled at them for cutting me off, I think. Picked up the bike. Front wheel wouldn't spin. Chain was off, sod and dirt in the brake and crank. I pulled it out and after what seemed like about 10 tries I got the chain back on. I remember thinking, I think my bike is OK. I figure I'd wait though because of my hand was bleeding out through my glove. After a few minutes, nobody came by, not a rider or car. Yes, the people are still sitting in their driveway. I got on the bike and tried to ride. Chain fell off and front wheel was scraping. Got off and put the chain on and saw some more dirt on the front brake. Tried again and got the brakes to clear and I was riding OK, so I figured I'd limp in, After about a mile or so, a lead car and four women passed me. I actually felt OK (a lot of blood on the white bar tape and on my leg though) so I hung in behind the wheel car. Yelled at a cop in Ware that the vineyard people hit me. On rt 9 I started feeling sick and lost the women, but I kept going at a pretty good pace considering. Finished and got help from the med folks at the finish line.
Two knuckles on my hand were bleeding pretty good, the rain made it look worse than it was, but I lost some flesh and have a bit of a sprain. My shoulder and right side are real sore and stiff, but not broken. It's getting better already.
Can you believe those people sat in their car and never helped me for at least 10 minutes.
I'll be OK to ride outside in a few days. Keep the hand bandaged for a while.
Lucky I guess! The bike cleaned up and is fine, but my wheels need truing.
Re: Quabbin 3/4
Ken-
Glad you're OK. Did you get a license plate from the people that hit you? I've heard enough bad car/bike interaction stories lately that I'm firmly in the camp that these things should be reported to the police. They may not do anything, but at least it forces there to be a formal record.
Glad you're OK. Did you get a license plate from the people that hit you? I've heard enough bad car/bike interaction stories lately that I'm firmly in the camp that these things should be reported to the police. They may not do anything, but at least it forces there to be a formal record.
Re: Quabbin 3/4
Heal up Ken!
Re: Quabbin 3/4
Sadly yes I can believe it. A majority of people are stupid a-holes.kenchadwick wrote:Can you believe those people sat in their car and never helped me for at least 10 minutes.
Re: Quabbin 3/4
I crashed in December coming down mendon rd like at the purgatory rd race. It was at a 3 way intersection and while my bike was laying on the ground in the intersection and I was hopping around bloody and trying to walk off the pain, 2 separate cars pulled up to the intersection and made a turn right in front of me. One vehicle was a pickup (surprise), but the other was a car WITH A ROOF RACK AND A BICYCLE ON THE ROOF. And it was about 28 degrees and had just started snowing. So yeah,nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to cars on the road.
Re: Quabbin 3/4
Ken - hope you are feeling better! Sorry we have to deal with people like that.
Congrats to Chris and Jeremy for hammering out a good race.
Thank you to recon folks about 202. I, like Chris, avoided much of the worst.
I was in the 4/5 U40:
Waited as long as I could before leaving my car and lining up. Only waited for about a minute before we went off and was shivering by the end of the neutral zone. I actually went with a windbreaker and arm warmers under the jersey and maybe because it's because I'm young, but I've got good enough circulation that nothing went complete numb. Couldn't feel the toes by the end, but I was expecting that.
My goal for this race was to keep contact with the peloton. Wasn't planning on jumping on breakaways unless it was 10+ people. Early on, I knew this was going to be a hill climber's race. No one was really pushing on the flat sections, but the hills were providing a little burn. I kept with it, though. After the long 202 section I was in the front going into the turn. I actually jumped up front to try and force the pace a little, but when trying to come off the front no one pulled through until we hit a climb and it was usually the same four guys up front.
Jump ahead a couple hours, and somehow I'm still with the pack. Not repeating last year where I fell off the back after 45 minutes. Things were still together until the turn off of 32A (I think?) A guy fell (maybe touched a wheel?) in the middle of the road, and luckily most people were able to avoid a pileup, but it slowed things down enough that the front was able to finally get a large enough break attacking the hill that the rest of us couldn't catch up. Things did finally did fall into a working paceline however all the way to the rt.9 climbs. Halfway up the final 5k I could feel my legs were done. I look down at my HR and it's barely above 150 but my legs wouldn't push any harder.
Ended up crossing 16th of 44 finishers (78 pre-registered). Not sure what the gap was, but I think this is a result in a positive direction for me. Both racing-wise and fitness-wise. And I think I still have a lot more fitness to gain, so I'm looking forward to May races. And not 40 degrees.
I couldn't even rinse off the road grime with water at Wendy's on the way home. And I think there's still water in my wheels.
Congrats to Chris and Jeremy for hammering out a good race.
Thank you to recon folks about 202. I, like Chris, avoided much of the worst.
I was in the 4/5 U40:
Waited as long as I could before leaving my car and lining up. Only waited for about a minute before we went off and was shivering by the end of the neutral zone. I actually went with a windbreaker and arm warmers under the jersey and maybe because it's because I'm young, but I've got good enough circulation that nothing went complete numb. Couldn't feel the toes by the end, but I was expecting that.
My goal for this race was to keep contact with the peloton. Wasn't planning on jumping on breakaways unless it was 10+ people. Early on, I knew this was going to be a hill climber's race. No one was really pushing on the flat sections, but the hills were providing a little burn. I kept with it, though. After the long 202 section I was in the front going into the turn. I actually jumped up front to try and force the pace a little, but when trying to come off the front no one pulled through until we hit a climb and it was usually the same four guys up front.
Jump ahead a couple hours, and somehow I'm still with the pack. Not repeating last year where I fell off the back after 45 minutes. Things were still together until the turn off of 32A (I think?) A guy fell (maybe touched a wheel?) in the middle of the road, and luckily most people were able to avoid a pileup, but it slowed things down enough that the front was able to finally get a large enough break attacking the hill that the rest of us couldn't catch up. Things did finally did fall into a working paceline however all the way to the rt.9 climbs. Halfway up the final 5k I could feel my legs were done. I look down at my HR and it's barely above 150 but my legs wouldn't push any harder.
Ended up crossing 16th of 44 finishers (78 pre-registered). Not sure what the gap was, but I think this is a result in a positive direction for me. Both racing-wise and fitness-wise. And I think I still have a lot more fitness to gain, so I'm looking forward to May races. And not 40 degrees.
I couldn't even rinse off the road grime with water at Wendy's on the way home. And I think there's still water in my wheels.
Re: Quabbin 3/4
Crap Ken, I was wondering what happened to you. But then I saw your name in the results and figured you just rode in with the bunch.
Thanks again for your recon and thank your wife for cheering for me at the finish, it was nice to hear my name.
Chirs P, what can you expect from PJ's friends anyway??
-Chris
Thanks again for your recon and thank your wife for cheering for me at the finish, it was nice to hear my name.
Chirs P, what can you expect from PJ's friends anyway??
-Chris
-Chris Busick
-
PJ McQuade
- Chasseur
- Posts: 769
- Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 10:44 pm
- Location: Millbury
Re: Quabbin 3/4
The story I heard was the driver asked Pare if he wss OK and Chris said yes. Also, said friend is a mountain biker so it doesn't count right?cbusick wrote: Chirs P, what can you expect from PJ's friends anyway??
-Chris
To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first.
-Shakespeare
-Shakespeare
Re: Quabbin 3/4
I commend anyone who actually showed up at the start line for this race.
Ken, I am glad to hear your injuries are relatively minor considering what happened.
Chris, 2 words: awe some
Jeremy, a very solid performance. I smell a podium in your future...
Reading the reports brought back memories of a very wet low 40s temps edition of Sunapee RR. I saw guys shaking on their bikes after the first lap. Other than hands and feet I was OK, mainly due to a merino wool base layer. I highly recommend merino wool for chilly wet days. Keeps you warm even when wet. And merino wool is so soft it doesn't even feel like wool (which I can't wear due to the itch factor).
Ken, I am glad to hear your injuries are relatively minor considering what happened.
Chris, 2 words: awe some
Jeremy, a very solid performance. I smell a podium in your future...
Reading the reports brought back memories of a very wet low 40s temps edition of Sunapee RR. I saw guys shaking on their bikes after the first lap. Other than hands and feet I was OK, mainly due to a merino wool base layer. I highly recommend merino wool for chilly wet days. Keeps you warm even when wet. And merino wool is so soft it doesn't even feel like wool (which I can't wear due to the itch factor).
Re: Quabbin 3/4
I hear cashmere is the bestahamilton wrote:I highly recommend merino wool for chilly wet days.