2010 French Broad Cycling Classic

After years of a pathetic excuse for a race in western North Carolina, the French Broad Cycling Classic was brought back in 2009 to something worthy of taking place in Appalachia. The 2010 French Broad Cycling Classic took in a fair time trial, a challenging road race, and a typical industrial park crit - which was more like a circuit race due to the size, which takes it out of my realm of extreme disdain.

Cane Creek Time Trial:

The Cane Creek Time Trial is the logical place for a non-hill climb time trial. It is probably the most consistent road in terms of slight elevation change. The 20.5 km (advertised as 20km, but my Garmin stopped it at 20.5km) rises only slightly before making a U-Turn at halfway back to the start. With foresight I registered for the omnium well in advance to get a good TT start time - 7:02:30, only 15 or so from the end. Afforded with ample time it was relaxing preparing for the time trial.

Still burdened with a huge loss in power on the TT bike, I decided to do the TT based on feel for the approximate 26-32 minute effort - depending on how lethargic you are at mustering the courage in making an effort. For the first time in forever, I also paid attention to my average speed since (i) I knew the approximate times and average speeds from the past and (ii) I do all my power tests on this road and am fairly familiar with the terrain and efforts so that going by speed wouldn't cause me to go too hard or too easy.

At the Cane Creek TT it was striking to me to see the difference in a high profile, well targeted event like the Fitchburg-Longsjo Classic, and the attention paid to the TT there, and here at the French Broad Cycling Classic. Which while a great event and targeted, isn't of the same caliber. I.e.: Going from every single person having a TT bike, TT helmet, Deep wheels and disc to anything and everything goes.

So I went off and road hard. I caught between six to eight people, one being at the turn around where I asserted my supreme physical presence to totally take his line away without regret. On the way back I went fast again and stopped the clock at 28'08". Which I initially was discouraged at until realizing they moved the turnaround a little further out.

While still missing 35 watts, the time was good enough for 6th. This put me in good enough position for the omnium if things went right. Which of course they never do.

Liberty Bicycles Road Race:

Awesomely enough, less than 10 hours after my time trial I was up early to eat some breakfast in time to mean something. Less than 12 hours after my time trial I was back in Marshall at the Island to warm-up. The road race comprises around 1300meters of climbing. The profile shows the Leaving Marshall Hill right away followed by two Highway Hill Climbs on the way to Mars Hill. Once in Mars Hill we immediately take a right and take in a good while of mangia e beve. After that we have one very short, steep Junkyard Hill before we all twiddle our thumbs before the first real climb of Murray Gap. From there it is a fast descent to a fast river road before starting the Walnut Creek Climb.

The plan was for Andy and Wade to do any necessary work with Adam and I being protected. Adam said that if it came to a sprint at the end he would try to work for me. I prophetically said I don't pack much of a sprint, i.e. acceleration; and to not wait too long for me. With that we were off on the picturesque course made blurry by sweat in the eyes.

Immediately a Barley's Taproom & PIzzeria rider shot off down Old Marshall Highway. Andy immediately tried to chase to him and join, but the rider was an alcoholic who was trying to make it to Barley's to drink alone. Gruppo compatto heading up Highway Hill Climb #1 the persistent stupidity of amateur riders shown through and for no discernible reason - neither at that time or after - the pace was drilled. I've been told that people were shelled there. I even started going backwards and Andy was almost ready to tell Adam that it was all up to him. After cresting the hill I almost thought about telling Adam the same until the next hills found me feeling ok.

Hitting Mars Hill and beginning mangia e beve there was some boneheadedness during the downhills. Gaps were opened and a number of us found ourselves chasing the front half of the group who were drilling it. Predictably they backed the pace down and we rejoined after the slight separation. After that it was easy going, though fast, with only a few venturing off the front for a short period. The hard Junkyard Hill saw no attacks and it was oddly easy going up. After that we waited for Murray Gap.

I have an ability for finding myself in the middle of the pack during a race (with periods of drifting to the front and not fighting to keep position before drifting back) but moving to the front when it matters. I did just that for Murray Gap. The pace that was being set surprised me. Having done the course previously in the week, in a respectable solo time of 2˚18', I thought the pace was a little high for the length of the climb. I didn't go as hard and planned on reeling them in as the climb went along. Before I knew it the 1 km to go mark appeared, obviously climbing faster than anticipated, and I tried to pick up the pace. They went over the top just in front of me and vanished down the hill. I picked up two others, and the three of us picked up one more, before we jetted through the river road of Big Laurel to chase down the lead group. We caught them with approximately 10 km to go until the final climb giving us brief respite.

The damage at this point was (i) Wade taking up residence in Offbackistan, (ii) Adam's Achilles Heel of Murray Gap landing a death blow and (iii) Andy's group catching the lead group with less than 5 km to go.

A little preaching: Learn to handle your bike. Learn not to freak out and whine like a bitch when handlebars touch. Learn that in the crucial moments a hole will be filled by someone else. If you go outside of "Don't get near me! Racing USA" you will be ate alive and either wreck yourself or at least those around and behind you.

Near the bottom of Walnut Creek I made great moves to get to the top 10 and at the bottom of the climb I was in the top 5 to start the climb after some assertive and confident riding. All of this was for naught though as after some consistent riding and holding my position, the pace was upped and I couldn't accelerate. I found myself slipping and watching positions go by. I tried to maintain my pace and hoped others were going beyond themselves (they were) and I would catch some of them back (I did). I'm pretty sure I tried hard as I looked like crap. Near the line I was nipped for 19th and settled on a disappointing 20th and a plummeting in the omnium position. Andy came in 26th with Adam and Wade bravely soldiering in.

We blitzed the course this year in under 1˚56'. There were also 75-80 riders at the start line, with only ~50 finishing. From what I was told the pace and competition this year far exceeded that of 2009 where it was pretty relaxed until Walnut Creek where it was an uphill sprint.

City of Asheville Criterium:

Somehow I got lost on the internet and registered for a criterium. I actually registered for it to help the sprinters on the team and I anticipated being in a more respectable omnium position. Neither were of the concern. So, I planned on attacking the two km crit/circuit fairly early and drilling myself. To accomplish this feet I was using my HED Stinger 60 carbon rims instead of normal Open Pro/Dura-Ace wheels. Leaving the house on that initially beautiful day I did not anticipate the downpour at the course. We went from the P/1/2 race being shortened, to our race being delayed, to our race suddenly being at the previous time but shortened 10 minutes...and of course we were amply notified so we could continue/start our warm-up. Right.

Excuses: Going around the course I had very little brakes; my crit skills suck; this is the first crit style race I have raced this year; I anticipated a lifting of the pace after a lap or so (I was hanging at the back convinced there would be a pile up in the rain - there was not). All that went into me doing my own time trial around the course for 40 minutes towing a group with me, none of which I would let do any work.

Summary: I really need to remedy my TT situation for next year. I could really kill it if I had all my watts. I need some acceleration and pep to make better attacks and match accelerations. I still hate crits.

Next year I aim to own this.