Race The Ridge 2013

April 27-28 2013 marked the biggest weekend of my very short racing career. The always interesting Race the Ridge stage race organized by Local Ride Racing was being held in Maple Ridge. 

The road race and time trial were contested on Saturday, while the criterium was run Sunday. I had done a lot of riding leading up to the race and wasn't quite as fresh as I could have been. But I had signed up to race Cat 4 months ago so I went out to give it my best shot.

As with most early season races the weather always decides to play a factor.

My late race attack in the criterium getting shutdown.

Road Race
The toughest course I have raced on. It makes the Spring Series races look easy. 

A 10 kilometre loop with 5 kilometres of punchy hills and some tight corners at the end of long downhill straightaways.  I managed to get dropped quite early, tried my hardest to work with some others off the back, but the climbing was too much. The rain started with about 3 laps to go, adding insult to injury. 

Eventually I finished in 16th place over 6 mins down on the leaders. 

Pretty disappointed in my performance, I was hoping to stay much closer to the lead group.

Time Trial

I felt really good about my performance in the time trial. I had never raced a time trial before or even used aerobars. Ted Matson had withdrawn from the Cat 1 race and kindly lent me his helmet and aerobars.

The road surface got really rough about halfway through the TT which complicated things a little bit. Definitely made the effort a little harder to sustain.

I clocked 16:40 (44.97 km/h) over the pretty much flat 12.5 km course finishing in 12th. Lost another minute to the GC leaders.

The headwind riding back from the TT finish was even harder than the TT!

Criterium

I really enjoyed the criterium in downtown Maple Ridge. It's pretty awesome to have the roads completely closed to traffic. I found the course very fun course, a nice flow to all the corners. 

I flew off the front partway through and spent three laps alone out front. No one was willing to come across to me so I was caught. I tried again later in the race, but my move was quickly shutdown. Finished 17th.
 

Coasting in for 17th place in the criterium.

Overall it was a great weekend of racing. I finished 16th overall out of 29 starters. Not so bad for my first ever stage race.

Other links of interest

Results: http://www.localride.ca/wp/2013/04/28/race-the-ridge-results/

Local Ride: http://www.localride.ca/wp/2013/05/07/cyclists-storm-ridge-meadows-for-12th-annual-race-the-ridge/

Maple Ridge News: http://www.mapleridgenews.com/sports/205478301.html

Criterium Photos by Alex Pope: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexpope/sets/72157633375950010/with/8691672910/

Preview - 2013 Spring Series #4 - Bradner

On Sunday March 17, 2013 cyclists from around the lower mainland and beyond will descend on the Bradner-Mt. Lehman area to compete in the fourth race of the Escape Velocity Spring Series.

Although I'm pretty familiar with the area I decided to do a small pre-ride to get a feel for the course.

Bradner RR - Course Map and Elevation

My family drove me out so we could fill up on cheap Aldergrove gas. After filling up and a snack they came to collect me. I was only able to complete two full laps before they came to pick me up.

A few things I noted:

• Abundant rolling terrain
• Uphill exits on three corners
• Fast corner from McTavish to Satchell slopes slightly away from the apex
• Fresh pavement from McTavish to Ross

The uphill drag along Bradner Road from 58th to McTavish is likely to be the decisive section. Aside from a sprint finish, I think it may be possible for a winning move to be launched coming out of the Nathan Creek dip on the final lap. Although this certainly would be expected.

My lap times on the recon ride were pretty slow, well off the times recorded during previous races. Of course riding solo can be much slower than in a group during a race. The power output that Strava estimates is closer to the previous races than my lap times. Honestly, I don't know if this means I'm looking good or not. I guess we'll find out Sunday. 

I'm looking forward to having some fun and getting my racing season started. Seeing the results of my preseason training is also going to be something to look forward to.

Race Preview - Barry's Roubaix 2012

Roubaix.

Someone outside of the cycling world would probably give you a strange look hearing the word. However, a fan of professional cycling will instantly recognize the name.

Paris-Roubaix is one of cycling's oldest races, the first edition was run in 1896. It is well known for the many sections of cobblestones that are featured throughout the nearly 260 kilometre route. Also known as l'enfer du Nord, the Hell of the North, the race is also known for extreme weather. Dry and dusty or wet and muddy, the weather is always a factor.

Paris-Roubaix cobblestones

The Lower Mainland isn't exactly known for it's cobblestone roads, so the chances of a race similar to Paris-Roubaix is almost non-existent. Luckily we have the next best thing.

Local Ride Bike Shop, in Maple Ridge, has been organizing Barry's Roubaix for the past three years. Inspired by the European classic, the roads and dykes of Pitt Meadows are transformed into a race course on the same Sunday as Paris-Roubaix.

The Course

The course has been updated and moved to a new location for 2012. According to the Local Ride Bike Shop website, a high permit cost at the original location is the reason for the change. Starting on Kennedy Road near the Pitt Meadows BMX track, the race will be contested over a 10 kilometre loop which features 5 kilometres of gravel dykes and 5 kilometres of paved roads. The previous two editions included only 4 kilometres of gravel.

This year the location of the start/finish line is the biggest change. The old course started and finished near the Pitt Meadows Airport, after exiting the gravel section it was nearly 6 kilometres of pavement before you hit the line. This year it is completely opposite. The finish line is very close to the exit from the gravel.

Barry's Roubaix 2012

It almost seemed that the race would end with two laps of the Pitt Meadows BMX track, however it was only a cruel April Fools joke.

The Weather

As in the real Paris-Roubaix, the weather can play a huge factor in the outcome of the race. Spring weather in the Lower Mainland is notoriously inconsistent.

The first edition of Barry's Roubaix, in 2010, was raced under beautiful conditions. The wind picked up a little in the afternoon but that was all. In 2011 the weather was the complete opposite. It rained for almost the entire race.

At the moment the weather looks pretty good for the Easter long weekend. However, the Environment Canada forecast can be a tad innaccurate.

The Details

Registration closes at 4:00 pm on Saturday, April 7, so there is still time to particpate in this Lower Mainland classic. Registration is offered online at karelo.com

If you just want to head out to cheer on your favorite rider, here are the start times.

8:30 am: Cat 3/4 Men, 8 laps

8:35 am: Cat 3/4 Women, 6 laps

8:37 am: Novice Men, 4 laps

8:38 am: Novice Women, 4 laps

11:00 am: Cat 1/2 Men, 12 laps

11:05 am: Cat 1/2 Women, 10 laps

10:30 am: U17, 2 half laps

Predictions

The new course should make for an interesting race, watch for attacks in the gravel section creating enough of a gap to win. A chase group will not be able to use the paved roads to close down a gap with the finish being so close to the gravel section.

Garneau Evolution, Trek Red Truck Racing, and Team H&R Block will all likely be on hand in the Cat 1/2 Men's race.  Garneau Evolution has picked up 5 wins already this year. Curtis Dearden, last year's winner, now riding for Russ Hay's/Accent Inns has to be considered a favourtie. His new team has also picked up some early wins this year. Although it is uncertain if they will be making the trip over from Vancouver Island.

The Local Ride / Dr. Vie Superfoods+ women's team will likely be out in force in the Women's Race looking to continue their winning streak at Barry's Roubaix.

Barry's Roubaix always delivers a great experience for the participants as well as the spectators. It's a great way to enjoy some local racing after watching Paris-Roubaix on the television or internet. See you there!

Race Report - Spring Series #1 (River Road)

I looked out the window and watched the raindrops fall as I ate my breakfast Sunday morning. Oatmeal with blueberries, raisins and some almonds, thrown in for good measure, is my usual race day breakfast. My sophomore bike racing season was about to begin later that day near Fort Langley.

As I mentioned in my previous post, Team Escape Velocity Cycling Club was hosting the first race of the 2012 Spring Series. I had registered in the novice category, scheduled for 5 laps of the 6.2 kilometre course. I had convinced some friends to sign up as well. Jon, one of the owners of Fort Langley Cyclery, had decided to give racing a try. Dave, who raced with me last year in the Spring Series, was returning for another year.

Dave racing in the 2011 Spring Series

At the start line we almost looked a little too professional. Jon, Dave, and I were all in matching black and white Fort Langley Cyclery kit; sharks among goldfish perhaps? It was all too true as everyone, except Dave and I, raised their hands when asked if it was their first race. Shortly after that, we were off!

The first lap was a little nerve-wracking; the wind was buffeting us pretty good along River Road and up 264th Street. The wind died down a little along the back half of the course, probably due to the trees lining both sides of the road. On the second lap as we entered the back straight, I attacked out of the corner. I quickly opened a gap and nobody seemed to be chasing. I settled into a steady pace, but it was quite windy out on my own. I quickly decided this wasn't the smartest choice of action, so I eased up and allowed the group to catch me after about a 1/2 lap. It was fun to be out on the attack, but I don't think I have the fitness to ride solo for 3 laps.

The lone junior rider that was out with us went down on the fourth lap, and the guy behind him got tangled up and went down too. Dave and I were right behind the pair that crashed, but managed to avoid any trouble. It seemed like everyone was alright.  I didn't hear any screams of pain, only the sound of a tire releasing it's air. I never really found out what caused the accident.

Jon found himself stranded on the front for the first half of the final lap. I was chuckling to myself as he weaved from one side of the road to the other like something out of the Tour de France. Eventually, he was able to pull off and someone else took up the pace. I figured nobody would be attacking so I started thinking about the sprint. I knew Jon had practiced his final sprint prior to the race so I decided to follow his wheel. As we came out of the last corner, I jumped on another wheel.  It seemed like he was about to go, so I wound myself up for the sprint. Unfortunately he pulled off rather quickly and left me out of options. I opened up really early and went as hard as I could. I was pretty much out of gas with 100m to go but I glanced back and no one was close. I had accomplished the mission and won a race!

It's blurry but I have to give my wife credit for even getting a picture of me at the finish.
Keeping three kids happy at a bike race is a big job.

It turns out Jon was able to grab second place and out of nowhere, Dave picked up third. A podium sweep in the novice race for Fort Langley Cyclery! We all got a good chuckle out of that.

It was a good race.  We completed the race in about an hour with an average speed just under 34 km/h . Obviously my work over the winter had paid off. I was able to stay with the group the entire race and I had lots left at the finish. Honestly, it may have been too easy.

There isn't a novice category for Spring Series #2 at Aldergrove Lake, so I checked with the organizers and I'm now signed up to race with the C Group next weekend. I'm looking forward to the challenge of moving up into the faster group. Stay tuned to see how it unfolds!

There is more Spring Series #1 coverage from Escape Velocity here; some great photos from Doug Brons here; and read about Jon's thoughts on his first Spring Series race here.

Spring Series kicks off 2012 racing season.

The racing season is about to get underway in the Lower Mainland this weekend. The Escape Velocity Spring Series has been a fixture in the Vancouver area racing scene since at least 2003.


Christian Meier, Andreas Hestler, Andrew Pinfold, Svein Tuft, Zach Bell, and Will Routley can all be found in the Escape Velocity record books. All of them have gone on to race against some of the world's best cyclists all over the world.


It's a little strange to think a guy like me is racing on the same courses that they have. I guess that is the beauty of cycling.


In 2011, which was my first year, the River Road course was my first ever competitive cycling event. It was a bit intimidating to say the least, even though I was just racing in the novice category. I managed to stay with the group for the first few laps, before I went a little too hard on the back portion of the course and was unable to maintain the pace. I finished alone, a few minutes behind the main group. Not a very promising start to my cycling "career."

View River Road RR in a larger map

This year I'm hoping it will be a different story. I've put in a lot more time on the bike, nearly 30 hours more in 2012 alone. That isn't even counting the hours I did in December as part of the Rapha Festive 500. I'm also approaching the race in a better position mentally. I know more of what to expect in the race. Hopefully I will take smarter pulls at the front and manage my energy output a little better. My main goal is to finish with the group and maybe take a shot for the win if I'm still in contention at the end.

My kids will be out cheering me on with their cowbells, so I better not disappoint them.