| Subject: | Re: more centerline discussion |
| Date: | 03/29/2004 03:36 AM |
| From: | ibi-@comcast.net |
|
Do you ride with a team? If so, where were your teammates that day? If not, then you should be aware from a tactical standpoint that you need to be at the front of the field when that stretch of road comes up. It's not like you did not know it was coming. By the time the break took off, we had already been around the course twice. Were you expecting something different? If I were you (apparently riding alone or with no strategy), I would have begun to set myself up to be on the front when we made the final right turn onto the final straight towards the finish line. This way, you have ample time (and a wider road) to make your way to the front. Also, did you get involved when we were trying to echelon? If you were, then you knew how to set yourself up. If not, then you need to learn if you are going to move up through the field on a windy course. As for Team O slowing things down, I was the Team O rider in the break and my teammates did the correct thing by sitting up. It is not their job to chase me down. If that means that the other rider and myself jumped at an opportunity to make a successful break, you are correct. It is then up to the other riders in the field to organize themselves into their own "team" and chase the break down when the road opens up. I know for a fact that on different portions of the road at different times, there was ample space for passing (whether it was a train or as another pace line is irrelevant). It is not Team O's job to chase their man down. If you have ever watched pro road racing, you will note that no teams will ever chase down their riders. In fact, they will purposefully control the peloton by moving to the front of the field and maintaining a tempo while their man gets away. For everyone that was screaming that we were going to slow at different points, how come no one came forward to lead the field? It seemed like it was all Team O leading the field. Did anyone else want to sit in the wind. (I should note that there were quite a few riders who worked well with us- Cheers to you guys for helping along and really racing.)I was also the rider who sat on the front for the final 3 miles while we "slowly" came around to the final straight. As it was, I had a teammate behind me that also did not want to take the wind. I can understand I was protecting him (he got 6th), but for everyone else screaming, I wanted off the front as badly as you wanted to pick up the pace. My question is: Why did no one come forward? 2 other riders came around on my right and I took some protection from that, but eventually I was on the front again. In the end, all I am saying is that proper tactical strategy means racing with your head as much as your legs and lungs. Each time you go around the course, you should be learning something new. Where does the wind come from? Where are the pot holes? Where is the best place to set up for the next corner? And where is the best place to initiate a break to split up the field. Sorry if I came across as being overlyharsh. (Not my intention.) This is just my 2 cents. |
