Wow! What a huge weekend for Monterey Bay Racing Team. Off the top of my head I recall race reports fromAndrew, Brad, Chris, Chris, Chris, Evan, Graham, Jim, Ken, Len, Leo, Les, Matt, THE BISON (who threw down an awesome solo attack), Stacy and Steve. My apologies if I missed anyone. But there were so many interesting race reports. And about 100 [MBRT] emails over the weekend! Now might be a good time to remind everyone that while reply-all is acceptable, a private reply to sender is also an option. Use your discretion.
Upcoming Rides/Races
Tuesday Night Pebble Ride departs from Winning Wheels in PG at 5:15pm. Bring your lights for a fast-paced ride through PG.
Madera Stage Race, A California Classic. THE BISON is going to race the 35+. Anyone else? If you are interested in sharing a room, please email him directly. But do not be intimidated. Andrew Heinemann roomed with him at the training camp. Here's what he has to say about the experience:
I shared a room with the Bison two nights in a row and lived to tell about it! It is okay. Aside from some minor snoring you would expect from a sleeping Bison after a day out running on the prairie, and the overall intimidation of seeing my size 11.5 shoes on the floor next to his size 17 shoes, it is okay he is harmless! Good to go. One other minor thing, he applies sunblock in the morning. The only way I can describe is the same way when I feel when riding in South County and get caught in the overspray from the helicopters applying pesticides. -Andrew
CCCX #3. Saturday. On the 4.3mi Fort Ord Circuit Course. We had a huge showing on the new course last weekend. It was great. It would be great to pull off a victory out at CCCX this coming weekend. Remember: Cycling is a team sport and if we work together we can do it. I'm thinking of you, Cat 4 guys. There could be four or five of you in the 8:30am race. If you work as a team I think one of you should get on the podium for sure! (Of course, I would love it if you guys stuck around and helped me out in the 3/4 race at 1:55. If I win because you worked for me by refusing to pull through while I was in a break or you lead me out in the final sprint I'll pay $10 towards your entry fee!)
SMR. Our Saturday morning lovefest through Pebble Beach. 7:15am.
Red Kite Criterium on Sunday looks interesting. Here's a map of the crit course. There are only a few bot dots; the course is wide open, industrial park awesomeness. It's part of a 10 race series that will also include two time trials at a road race. If any riders want to make the commitment to this series and share the driving load please let me know. I'm certainly interested.
Sunday Aptos Ride. I heard good things from yesterday's endurance ride, 70-80 miles at the right pace. Departs 7:30 from the wharf or 8:10 from REI.
Red Kite Criterium on Sunday looks interesting. Here's a map of the crit course. There are only a few bot dots; the course is wide open, industrial park awesomeness. It's part of a 10 race series that will also include two time trials at a road race. If any riders want to make the commitment to this series and share the driving load please let me know. I'm certainly interested.
Sunday Aptos Ride. I heard good things from yesterday's endurance ride, 70-80 miles at the right pace. Departs 7:30 from the wharf or 8:10 from REI.
Next Week
TNPR. It's back. The Tuesday Night Practice Race starts up again on March 12th. Start/Finish is at the top of the Fort Ord CCCX course.
Twilight Ride Laguna Seca. March 13th. MBRT is hosting! There will be a 3-lap circuit race with multiple divisions and prizes. Here's a cool video of Brownie and Lance tearing it up.
Have fun racing and suffering, even if you don't get on the podium. Cycling is hard. It's really hard. Everyone in the race is trying to win. And if they aren't trying to win they are working for a teammate who is trying to win which might actually make it harder. So if you don't win don't get too discouraged or frustrated. Do what you can to keep it positive. Find something good to say about your race in the race report.
There's a lot you can learn from more experienced riders, even if the email (or shout during a ride) comes across as challenging, harsh or punitive. Have some thick skin and focus on the message rather than the delivery. If you're tempted to write something challenging, harsh or punitive, use the sandwich method, as delivery matters.
It helps to have a game plan for the race. It's especially helpful to pre-ride the course and visualize yourself going through the finish. I like to ride the sidewalk around crits and watch other fields go through each turn a few times. And I like to watch the finish if I can. On a road race I try to pre-ride the final few hundred meters as part of my warm up.
And here is some copypasta from D3's MBRT update email:
On April 6th and 7th, we'll be having our second training camp. This camp will be local and optional for all riders (Racers and club members). The two days of training will be tough, getting many racers in good form for Sea Otter, so plan for a couple of hard days of riding.
Lance will be hosting a Tour of Flanders party on Sunday, March 31st.
Thanks again to all those who raced and showed support over the weekend. We've got a good thing here.
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