NorCal Cycling News – Cycling and Racing in Northern California

A few months ago while telling me about a race from a few years ago former national champion Brooke Miller was describing a race scenario and I made an offhand comment that her PhD work which had to do with sexual mating habits of banana slugs. Miller’s work employed some game theory mechanics to analyze aspects of sexual conflict of these slimey buggers.  Anyway… my grasp of game theory is limited to a few concepts like the Prisoners Dilemma, Zero Sum Games, and a few other random tidbits.  Miller blew off the comparison (nicely mind her) and said the facet of game theory she found that really applied was image score.

Given this is a blog I’m going to try and stumble through a quick explanation which i can correct later since the internet is a-w-e-s-o-m-e! Actually…i’m just going to crib it from another website…

If you watch one individual helping another, you can allot him or her one point of image score; but if you witness the individual refusing to help, withdraw one point. Then, when you are asked to help, you will cooperate if your partner’s score is high — otherwise, you defect (that is, you don’t cooperate). Strategies can be more or less discriminating according to their ‘score cut’. For example, a ‘cooperative’ strategy has a score cut of zero or less, meaning that the individual then cooperates with other individuals on their first interaction. [Gametheory.net]

Criteriums tend to be less inclined to reward the long endurance fitness of big tour riders and more likely to benefit riders who are aggressive, quick, and tactically sharp.  Cycling is unusual in sports in that there are cooperative strategies that can be deployed by individuals and teams to help achieve victory.  Developing a cooperative strategy in a crit requires a willingness to put oneself at risk.  This willingness to loose, and desire to win big, is exhibited by an attacking racing style common in successful riders like Brooke Miller, Rand Miller, Brian Bosch, and current elite criterium champion Steve Reaney. Talent and fitness are necessary, but  success also requires good judgement and persistence.  They exhibit a riding style that is exciting, aggressive, and is a style of racing that riders coming up through the ranks should aspire to emulate.  I’m a spectator… i want an exciting race.

Rand Miller is a good example of how baseline fitness (or so he claims – I’m sure he’s a secret trainer) and a good image score can put a rider on the podium multiple times.  Stronger riders will join his attempts since they think they can beat him, but know he will help drive a break, and weaker riders may join him thinking he will tow them to the finish.  Rand can sit in the middle and if he chooses wisely he can help insert himself into a winning situation with variables odds that will be better than trying to sprint out of a pack.  His own selectivity in finding the right mix of riders has been honed through trial an error, and with the help of teammates, risk is removed by the ability of other riders to cover moves through out the race.

Brooke Miller herself was a national criterium and road champion.  While she was an excellent athlete her ability to synthesize risk, and use image score as a way of assessing race scenarios helped make her one of the top women cyclists in the United States. This skill set might be natural for some racers but it often appears that \ there are way to many riders who are happy to just “finish” a race.  The top races opt for a different route, a path of experimentation and frequent failure in an attempt to find compatriots and create a positive image within the peloton.

 

This summer David LaPorte, the organizer of the Nature Valley Grand Prix, gave me an interview for a project i was working on.  He spent about 15 minutes telling me that while the road races in the NVGP were great and popular with the riders he wanted to make it very clear that the crits (Stillwater in particular) is what brings the crowds, the sponsors, and is the most American form of racing in existence.  Take that for what you will but i thought it was cool.

As i was bashing on SoCal a resident of Visalia (or the closest thing i can think of to hell) commented that NorCal folks paled in comparison to the SoCal Crit monkeys.  Of course Rand went down that very weekend and won a crit so it looked good for us, but I have to say for the most part, he’s right.  NorCal does not work hard enough on it’s crits.  We have some of the best crit riders in the country, Holloway, Reaney, McCook, Brooke Miller, and even Rand but these guys are the exception not the rule.  If they show up it’s game over.  In general the prestige is saved up for races like Mt. Hamilton, or Merco, not slug fests like Davis, or the recent Santa Cruz Crit.  Unlike other parts of the country like NYC/NJ/Philly or LAX where crit racing is how riders move through the system a strong Cat 2 can progress easily in NorCal without learning how to turn a tight six corner crit.

This weekend  is the famous Copperopolis, the Roubaix of NorCal, but there are two crits which i feel replicate classic east coast style courses.  The Menlo Park Grand Prix and Easter Cri are flat and have plentiful sharp corners, and are the type of course that need to be ridden more often by the rank and file of NorCal riders.

Menlo Park Grand Prix

The MPGP is right down the street from me so it’s kind of my home race but I have always like the course, despite the truck that always seems to be parked in the last corner.  The first iteration of the course had two long, long, straight aways and four solid corners.  It reminded me of Sommerville (without the drunk Jersey crowd) and after promoter Lori Lee Lown added a few corners the course became a flat technical course that could end in a bunch sprint or break if riders brought their A Game fitness.  It is also great for women riders as LLL stacks the event with a great combination of races for women riders.  It’s a great course for Peninsula riders to get a real feeling of what a decent course is like.

Easter Crit (Fremont)

This is a bastard child of an early bird running two hair pin turns and two 90 degree turns.  This is the kind of race that I would do in Toronto which would be a few hairpins and about 50 people just slugging it out in an office park.  It’s not a pretty race but it’s the kind of crit which does two things. 1. it makes you fast since you are sprinting out of every corner. Intervals for 45-90 minutes 2. If you survive you have a really good shot at winning.

Why Are Crits important?

I think almost 60% of races on the calendar are crits (at least that was the figure a few years ago.) If you have any aspirations of being a real bike racer (like a pro, nearly pro, or master pro) they way you are going to make money is on the crit circuit.  Your big domestic salary will not cover your lavish lifestyle.  There may not be any money in NorCal races but what little there is usually is doled out at the crits.  In other parts of the US crit money can be substantial.  If you are one of those riders that “don’t like” crits or don’t think they are real racing..well, give up now, cause you already lost.

I have a follow up piece on a race strategy, closely related to rand style aggressive crit racing, that incorporates an Image Score concept inspired by Brooke Miller. I will try to publish that before the weekend.   I might even go back and re-read and edit this post in the AM – but don’t count on it.

 

Snelling Road Race … where all the kids play

With well over a thousand participants already registered for this event, there are some pretty significant issues of logistics that surround a race like Snelling, and they’re worth talking about and sharing.  So please feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments section and spread this discussion around to your club&teammates.

Road closure?

While the course is advertised as closed, we must remember that these are farm roads used by locals who sometimes don’t share the love of bike racing that we all do. In this part of the state, we’ve seen everything from tacks to manure dropped on roads in protest of racing … not to mention the occasional crazy driver who just won’t be stopped from coming on the courses.

So, bottom line – even though it’s a closed course, please keep your head up, eyes open, and wits about you at all times.

The best way to stay safe, have fun, and be the most effective on the bike is to be always aware of what’s ahead up the road.  The more aware you are, the more you’ll see, and the more time you’ll have to choose the right course of action – be it crash avoidance, preparation for a crosswind, or playing the course to tactical advantage.
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Crosswinds … suffering in gutters

While the Snelling course is considered by most as flat … it does have some powerful rollers on it that will sap the snap out legs faster than a tae bo workout. But really, it’s the crosswinds that make most of the pain and separations out in the central valley.

The keys to successfully racing in wind are:

• knowing the course so you can be proactive and preemptive in positioning yourself well for wind changes
• being willing to put yourself in the wind to hold/gain position
• understanding how to use the echelon
• ‘protecting your front wheel’ with good decisions & bike handling skills
• remaining calm and looking ahead

Keyes Road has a mean kick in it after the finishing line for riders as they start laps 2 and beyond ~ but, it also has some very, very fast sections on it afterwards that can cause gaps to form like teeth on a hillbilly.  It’s rare that gaps aren’t closed on this road, but with such high speeds possible … it’s a serious waste of energy to have to cross a gap at 30+mph.  But, for the most part, Keyes road is a packriding road that meanders up and over rollers often protected a bit by wind.

The right turn on Olsen Road can often be mayhem … and positioning one’s self near the front can be difficult and cost a lot of energy.  Many riders get caught out by this turn because the long section of Keyes Road can lull one into inattention … it can be difficult to remember when/where the Olsen turn occurs.

If there is wind, it is likely to cause serious suffering on Olsen Road.  The wind often punishes riders by demanding high speeds against sharp winds from the right side of the road.  If you find yourself pushed into the left gutter, dodging road debris and praying for just that little bit more draft, you must be prepared to endure bucketloads of pain.  But it is those riders who keep their wits about them who will often see opportunities to gain or keep position in the pack.  For example, it is common that there will be small moments of respite where riders in the front of the pack turn off the gas, allowing for a slowing of speeds and swelling of the pack – this is not the time for rest, it’s the time for action!

Immediate action when a slowdown occurs can yield tremendous benefits in positioning one’s self in the pack.  10 or 15 pedalstrokes in the wind the moment the pack begins to slow down may be momentarily excrutiating, but the dividends of rest and better positioning yielded by the short effort may be what keeps you in the race, or positioned better to make the winning breakaway.

And lastly, think about keeping the deep dish wheels at home, spendypants.  Go with the lower profile stuff if you’ve got it.  If you don’t, just remember that wind will push a deeper dish front wheel around quite a bit.  Which leads to the concept of ‘protecting the front wheel’ …

It is common wisdom that the vast majority of crashes in bike racing occur because of over-lapping wheels.  But of course the question is … how does one NOT overlap wheels while racing in crosswinds?  The answer is … you do overlap wheels in crosswinds.  However, you do so with heightened awareness and focus on protecting your front wheel.

When overlapping wheels to maintain the draft during crosswinds, it is absolutely imperative that you visualize and act as a flock of birds, or school of fish.  If there is movement laterally in the flock, they all move in harmony.  It is those who do not act in harmony with the group that will touch wheels and fall down.  And so, the keys to protecting one’s front wheels in crosswinds are:

• heightened awareness and focus, look ahead but know that your front wheel is in danger and only YOU can keep it safe
• stay relaxed and fluid, move in harmony with the riders as they move laterally
• try and make no quick or unpredictable movements yourself

Create multiple echelons? … oh, what am i thinking.  2nd and 3rd echelons being formed is something i’ve just never seen done in NorCal racing.  Well, maybe one day …
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Racing in Rain

This year’s edition of Snelling promises moisture at some point during the day, with the early start waves likely to see more of it than the afternoon.  Regardless, water WILL be an issue for racers to deal with, either from the clouds or on the ground.

We have to remember that rain does more than just muddy our kits and soak shoes … it also creates and hides the dreaded pothole.  This is especially true for central valley roads that have low-grade construction materials and lower-grade fill materials.  So please, please keep yourself and others safe by pointing out holes when possible and ALWAYS calling them out!

Remember, just because you heard ‘hole’ doesn’t mean that riders 10 back did … so, please ~ repeat the call for road hazards, even if it seems redundant or retarded.  You could, quite literally, be saving somebody’s face from a cheese-grater experience.

Here are some quick tips on racing in rain:

• Fenders, if safely installed, can be a very good way of making friends and keeping one’s back and front a bit less dirty.
• Lower tire pressure ~ I race on 110-115 psi in the best of weather, but for wet conditions will go down to 90-100 psi.  For tires like Vredesteins that rate up to 130-145 psi maximum … I’d race dry @ 120 psi, and wet at 105-110 psi.
  The reasoning for lower pressure?  Improved bike handling.  Even though it’s a road race, there are still lots of turns and bumps through the Snelling pastures … and having your bike skip and skiddle over the roads can toss you out of a race faster than a centerline violation.
• Start warm and bundled up, but remember that the scorers need to see your race number.
  Vests, rain capes, jackets …  if you haven’t practiced taking yours off while on the bike … well, dammit you should have been.  The temperatures for the morning starts are quite brisk, and you’ll want to be well protected.  Some folks favor the use of skin warming embrocations, while others get by with correct layering.
  Likely a rain cape will be the best strategy for most who start in the wet.  As the speeds pick up, the cape can be pocketed with just a couple of jerseys and arm warmers on for protection.
  Tip: food in side pockets, jacket folded in middle.
• Remember to eat and drink!  Bonking and cramps are very common out at Snelling because of the lack of speed endurance in legs for many in February and the perceived lack of need for nutrition intake.  Do yourself a favor and down food every 30 minutes and take constant little sips out of your bottles every 15 minutes.

Lastly, please remember to keep your eyes up the road and absorbing what is happening.  It’s especially tempting to stare at the wheel in front of you when the rain and wind are making things miserable … but, the safest thing you can do is look through the rider in front of you and keep your mind attentive and anticipating.
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Potholes, gravel, dead squirrels … oh my!

Again, it’s absolutely essential to the safety of all to point out road debris when safe to do so, and always call out road debris.  And the key is to remember that if you hear a hazard called out in front of you, to CONTINUE calling out a hazard for those behind you.

I can’t tell you how often I’ve seen the front few riders of a pack point or call out a hazard, and then 20 riders back someone crashing right into it because they never heard word or saw signal.  Please ~ endure the silliness of the repetition and continue the communication of hazards throughout the entire pack.

The Figmond Avenue section of the Snelling Road Race will be all kinds of Roubaix this year … so, be ready to commit to not only suffering through possible crosswinds on this section, but be ready to have bottles pop out of cages and hands bump off bars from the crapfest road conditions.  Stay in the drops, breathe deep, and do your best to remain calm and relaxed when the fit hits the shan.

Tip: pointing out a pothole may be unsafe. If you end up crashing, or causing one because you hit/swerve something … well, there’s little to do but kick yourself in the butt over it.  Again, the best thing you can do is call out “hole” or “cone” or whatever it is that’s going to be coming up and blocked from view for riders behind you.

Be safe, be kind, have fun.
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Passing, or being passed by other fields

This is one of the most challenging aspects of Velopromo road races.  The organization attempts to offer as many racing opportunities for all levels of rider … and this has inevitably ended in fields passing one another during events.

Please be aware: there may not be a moto-official to conduct a safe passing of fields … and there is the possibility that a moto-official will make a poor decision as to when a pass takes place.

These are your responsibilities as riders:

• A field that is being overtaken by a faster group MUST NEUTRALIZE AS FAR TO THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD AS SAFELY POSSIBLE.
  “Neutralization” means that ALL riders in the pack slow down.  I recommend VERY slow – 12-15mph.  If you are worried that a breakaway will gain time on your pack as it is neutralized … simply think of the math.  If you slow immediately, you will allow space for the overtaking field to pass you safely and get a safe distance ahead of you, allowing your pack to regain speed and initiate chase sooner, loosing less time.
• A field that overtakes a neutralized field MUST REMAIN AS FAR TO THE LEFT OF THE ROAD AS SAFELY POSSIBLE, FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
  Do not swerve to the right just because you have passed a neutralized field – you will cause riders behind you to swerve into the neutralized field and increase the chance for accident or fields combining.
  Never, NEVER attack just before a field is going to be overtaken.  This is the ultimate in douche-baggery.  Do not be a douche.
• ANNOUNCE and communicate that your field is overtaking, or being overtaken by another field.

Basically, take care of each other.
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Clear the Finishing Straight

And finally – here’s a nice little golden rule for all to remember and live by:

“Even though your race has ended,
doesn’t mean the racing has ended!”

The Snelling finish is on a narrow road and it is always the case that folks want to watch finishes or chat after their own finish.  Please remember to keep the road clear by getting COMPLETELY off the finishing straight at all times.

Just some good ole’ fashion common sense and common courtesy.
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Be safe, have fun, ride fast!

The Bay Area Super Prestige cyclocross series is set to start this Sunday at San Francisco’s McLaren Park, but the festivities actually get started this Thursday at Sports Basement in the Presidio with a season kick-off party. It’s the perfect way to reunite with old friends, talk cyclocross and win cool ‘cross stuff. The event features free beer,  a big prize giveaway, and a cyclocross panel discussion featuring Vanderkitten pro Barbara Howe, series promoter and cyclocross legend Tom Simpson, and the editor of Cyclocross Magazine, Andrew Yee.

The grand prize up for grabs is a Jamis Supernova cyclocross frameset with an Easton EC90X fork – the same frame and fork ridden by cyclocross pro and seven-time National Champion Jesse Anthony.

The fun is free and starts at 6:30 and goes through 8:30 p.m on Thursday, October 1st.

Sports Basement – Presidio
610 Old Mason St
San Francisco, CA 94129
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[Before we get to the matter at hand, a little local loving. Today is the last day to help remedy the sponsor-default snafu that hit the Menlo Park Grand Prix this year. The total bill Velo Girls were stuck with was $4000 to the City of Menlo Park. So far 75% of the bill has been raised, but there's still $1000 to go. If we all forgo our lattes today and pitch that $5 toward a fantastic, well-run local race then I bet we could make a dent in that remaining $1000. Click to donate.]

It’s been a while since we’ve had a post about training and tactics, hasn’t it? Well, I’m here to help everybody out with what is quite possibly THE most important part of your race: the warm-up. Specifically, we’re going to discuss the most important part of any warm-up.

That’s right. Today, we will focus on the warm-up soundtrack.

Now, some people argue that the warm-up soundtrack is a highly personal thing, comprised of songs (perhaps even the odd spoken word piece or Gregorian chant) that have the utmost emotional significance to the individual listener.  These people scour their oversized music collections for an hour’s worth of songs that have enough meaning to earn a spot on the all important warm-up playlist, which inherently represents the very life force of the listener and must be approached with the reverence and awe due an idol of its spiritual magnificence.

These are the same people who refuse to write race reports because it gives their competitors too much insight into their tactics and their infinitely complex psyche. In other words, they are the emo wankers. Don’t pay any attention to them.

A truly effective warm-up playlist does two things: A) gets your body moving and loose; and B) keeps your mind occupied with fluff so that you don’t overthink your race before it starts.

Many genres of music can provide the fuel for mindless booty-shaking, but few are as effective as horrendous pop music. Think about it — when Kelly Clarkson or Christina Aguilara sings, you shake your ass and you sing along with the chorus (don’t try to deny it, we’ve all seen you singing in your car on the way to races). That level of embarrassment is exactly what we want to harness in an effective warm-up. So close your eyes, take a deep breath, and sack up. Winning requires sacrifice. We’re going there.

The best thing you can do to improve your own warm-up is to figure out what one-hit wonders float your boat. What are your guilty pleasures? Now is not the time to pretend you have sophisticated, cutting-edge taste in music – you don’t. Now is the time to embrace whatever shameful secrets you have been trying to cover up. Bust out your Christina, your Kelly, your Britney. Play every album in your InSync collection. Blast the Backstreet Boys, take those Spice Girls down off the shelf, and break it down.  They’ve been waiting patiently and this is their time to shine.

With all of this in mind, I’m going to let you in on my own secret weapon:

seabiscuit’s warm-up playlist

1. Under Pressure – David Bowie and Queen
2. Oh L’Amour – Erasure
3. Big Time Sensuality – Björk
4. Dangerous – Roxette
5. Groove Is In The Heart – Deee-Lite
6. Girls Just Want to Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
7. Like A Prayer – Madonna
8. Boys Don’t Cry – The Cure
9. Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
10. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor (don’t judge me, you’ve got it somewhere, too)
11. Train in Vain – The Clash
12. Rock You (Like A Hurricane) – Scorpions
13. Runnin’ With The Devil – Van Halen
14. Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
15. Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi

Now that I’m standing here in my virtual underwear, I want to know: what crappy music do you warm up to?