I am going to keep this one short.
Key points.
1) ITTs really hurt.
2) I am not as bad as I expected to be for my size.
3) UCI rules for technical equipment suck.
The icing on the cake is the lack of consistency in the comms that are enforcing these rules. I feel for the largely volunteer organisation that has to deal with the UCI constantly moving goal posts (or is that seat posts?) but the level of stress and inconsistent overscrutineering of effectively amateur events is out of step and in my opinion keeping people away. I am not sure what the answer is, but perhaps a more pragmatic approach and consistent education/interpretation might help.
My day in a nutshell - hell. First up, some unexpected bike setup issues of the unadjustable kind. Fixed by pulling parts and swapping between bikes and a lot of help from Bear and Trickle - HECTIC. Warmed up got it back together and focused. Had rear wheel pulled in the drop out while being held by the wheel rather than the seat post for the start. For those of you who don't know this means your wheel moves, and in this case jams hard against the frame - equivalent to having your brakes locked on. Not the perfect start to a ITT. Especially not when it is followed by having to get off, reseat, remount and get moving again. I thought my race was over. This was topped only by having the grudge driven locals head out to pour tacks all over the course taking out many a rider - including my main competition - who after my mechanical had it all but in the bag. If I catch a volunteer without his hand dangerously close to my ass on the seatpost in my next ITT there is going to be a problem. Man up people!
I am proud to be the State Champ for ITT in masters2, but mostly I am disappointed that my ride time did not reflect my capability. It feels like a missed opportunity to post a kick ass number. Still, all in all a golden day and a reminder of the great support in our team.
I am into my offseason now, and next up a junket with Koiled to interbike! Stay tuned for my roving report on everything awesome.
Key points.
1) ITTs really hurt.
2) I am not as bad as I expected to be for my size.
3) UCI rules for technical equipment suck.
The icing on the cake is the lack of consistency in the comms that are enforcing these rules. I feel for the largely volunteer organisation that has to deal with the UCI constantly moving goal posts (or is that seat posts?) but the level of stress and inconsistent overscrutineering of effectively amateur events is out of step and in my opinion keeping people away. I am not sure what the answer is, but perhaps a more pragmatic approach and consistent education/interpretation might help.
 |
| warming up and getting my head back in the game |
My day in a nutshell - hell. First up, some unexpected bike setup issues of the unadjustable kind. Fixed by pulling parts and swapping between bikes and a lot of help from Bear and Trickle - HECTIC. Warmed up got it back together and focused. Had rear wheel pulled in the drop out while being held by the wheel rather than the seat post for the start. For those of you who don't know this means your wheel moves, and in this case jams hard against the frame - equivalent to having your brakes locked on. Not the perfect start to a ITT. Especially not when it is followed by having to get off, reseat, remount and get moving again. I thought my race was over. This was topped only by having the grudge driven locals head out to pour tacks all over the course taking out many a rider - including my main competition - who after my mechanical had it all but in the bag. If I catch a volunteer without his hand dangerously close to my ass on the seatpost in my next ITT there is going to be a problem. Man up people!
 |
| All you haters....... |
I am proud to be the State Champ for ITT in masters2, but mostly I am disappointed that my ride time did not reflect my capability. It feels like a missed opportunity to post a kick ass number. Still, all in all a golden day and a reminder of the great support in our team.
 |
| Team mates are great - like this one. Trickle on the countdown. |
I am into my offseason now, and next up a junket with Koiled to interbike! Stay tuned for my roving report on everything awesome.
2 comments:
Maybe the handler heard one year about a chick and the craw move........once bitten m'ficking shy. Just sayin;-) seriously tho, with or without mechanicals, time trial is its own race. You done the won. Yeah. Tidy effort. ;-) x
If I had a penny for every time someone asked me that I would be FRIKKEN RICH ;)
RAAM 2014. FACT.
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