Barefoot Biker
Active Member
I rode my first JHOP century ride yesterday in St Cloud, Florida. I assumed it would be similar to the horrible hundred in Clermont two weeks ago which was not a mass start and people generally stopped to refuel along the way. (I completed that one on the Vendetta and actually beat my time up Sugarloaf on the Tarmac the last time I did the full route!) There were 100, 75, and 30 mile options each starting at separate times, but what was a complete game changer was that they provided motorcycle bottle service to the lead groups: hand your empty bottle to the moto, they fill it and hand it back. We were escorted on pan flat smooth roads with very few turns all the way. No one was stopping and everyone wanted a place on the podium at the end.
https://raceroster.com/events/2019/21245/jhop-100-century-ride?aff=0CWS4&aff=0CWS4
This would be my first road race on the X15 Præstø aka the Morciglio Magic. It was 10:30pm the night before the race when I found the bolt I dropped on the floor in the hotel as I finished assembling the water bottle holder. I never did get that bolt completely tight so, I got to listen to various noises the entire ride to remind me that I am not a mechanic.
My goal for the ride was to ride 200 watts. Prior to mile 5, my power was well under that so I broke away and stayed near 200w until mile 40 (one person followed me). At mile 30 something I was told that the gap was only 30 seconds, not enough for my liking. In reality it was a bit more, but it was clear they hadn't forgotten about us and they could still see the flashing police lights escorting us. I backed off just a bit and we rejoined the peloton.
The group looked fully in tact, perhaps eighty riders, and there were many familiar jerseys from UCI races in the area. At mile 50 there was a crash - terror and pitfalls, ruin and destruction - several riders went down from the center out. I saw it beginning and took the bike lane on the wrong side of the road to stay well clear. Then, I attacked. I always feel bad when anyone crashes and I hope they are ok, but having lost a few races from slowing down for a crash and realizing we're escorted from behind and that I'm not an EMT, forward is the best way to go. This put me in a second breakaway, once again with only one person. I decided this time to trade pulls, but we were just not steady enough. We had a 20 second gap for a bit but we were both caught after the turn around. The surge to catch us was the first selection in the group, but it was still almost fully together.
At mile 70 I finished my first bottle, refilled it with pure water, slammed a gel, and switched to my second bottle. I didn't ever drink the water I took from the moto. I am surprised I only drank two bottles, however, I did drink a full bottle at the starting line and I drank another full bottle at the finish. Then, I saw action at the front and passed the moto on the opposite side. He wasn't happy, but I ended up in a few small breaks, staying near the front because I felt the time was now - someone would get away.
Finally, around mile 80, I broke away with one other rider and the peloton slowed slightly. We had a gap. Roughly six other riders bridged up and we pulled turns at 28 or 29mph. I assumed we were gone for good at this point but four or five more bridged up to us a few miles later. They looked a mess. As soon as they joined, I reduced my contribution and started trying to guess who might sprint.
My plan was to attack from one mile out in hopes of being first to the final turn. Someone else attacked 1.5 miles out. I started to chase, but shut it down and left him to dangle in front of us until he was caught by the others. Then, right at the moment I had chosen, someone else lit it up instead. I was at the back, however, I saw him look under his shoulder and realized this breakaway group wouldn't hold this pace all the way to the turn. Just as they slowed slightly, I hammered and broke free. The race was mine!
Unfortunately, that attack put my entry speed to the final corner at 34mph. I got very wide, but turned in just a little too late and missed the apex. I had to get on the brakes to stay on the road and I could see that even with my best possible sprint it was already a done deal - out sprinted by Pedro for second place.
https://www.facebook.com/JHOP100/videos/743654336153560/
Still, it was the fastest ever century for me and a complete success for the bike. The race was really fun. A bit more relaxed in the group because of the distance and everyone was friendly. Someone asked as the podium list was being built: does the recumbent count? "Of course I count!", was my quick reply. I wasn't the only recumbent, but I was the only racing recumbent - hopefully the organizers encourage and we see more recumbents in the future. The breakaway groups were much more well suited to the recumbent than the surging of the larger group. Some people commented afterward that I moved very predictably and they didn't have any trouble with me in the group. Plus, I was active at the front of the race most of the time so that helped keep it fast, but honestly, what makes it safe in the group is the rider, not the bike. My initial strategy of riding solo from the gun fell apart at mile 40, but I had moved on to plan B long before we were caught and my heart rate stayed low.
https://www.strava.com/activities/2902180606
https://raceroster.com/events/2019/21245/jhop-100-century-ride?aff=0CWS4&aff=0CWS4
This would be my first road race on the X15 Præstø aka the Morciglio Magic. It was 10:30pm the night before the race when I found the bolt I dropped on the floor in the hotel as I finished assembling the water bottle holder. I never did get that bolt completely tight so, I got to listen to various noises the entire ride to remind me that I am not a mechanic.
My goal for the ride was to ride 200 watts. Prior to mile 5, my power was well under that so I broke away and stayed near 200w until mile 40 (one person followed me). At mile 30 something I was told that the gap was only 30 seconds, not enough for my liking. In reality it was a bit more, but it was clear they hadn't forgotten about us and they could still see the flashing police lights escorting us. I backed off just a bit and we rejoined the peloton.
The group looked fully in tact, perhaps eighty riders, and there were many familiar jerseys from UCI races in the area. At mile 50 there was a crash - terror and pitfalls, ruin and destruction - several riders went down from the center out. I saw it beginning and took the bike lane on the wrong side of the road to stay well clear. Then, I attacked. I always feel bad when anyone crashes and I hope they are ok, but having lost a few races from slowing down for a crash and realizing we're escorted from behind and that I'm not an EMT, forward is the best way to go. This put me in a second breakaway, once again with only one person. I decided this time to trade pulls, but we were just not steady enough. We had a 20 second gap for a bit but we were both caught after the turn around. The surge to catch us was the first selection in the group, but it was still almost fully together.
At mile 70 I finished my first bottle, refilled it with pure water, slammed a gel, and switched to my second bottle. I didn't ever drink the water I took from the moto. I am surprised I only drank two bottles, however, I did drink a full bottle at the starting line and I drank another full bottle at the finish. Then, I saw action at the front and passed the moto on the opposite side. He wasn't happy, but I ended up in a few small breaks, staying near the front because I felt the time was now - someone would get away.
Finally, around mile 80, I broke away with one other rider and the peloton slowed slightly. We had a gap. Roughly six other riders bridged up and we pulled turns at 28 or 29mph. I assumed we were gone for good at this point but four or five more bridged up to us a few miles later. They looked a mess. As soon as they joined, I reduced my contribution and started trying to guess who might sprint.
My plan was to attack from one mile out in hopes of being first to the final turn. Someone else attacked 1.5 miles out. I started to chase, but shut it down and left him to dangle in front of us until he was caught by the others. Then, right at the moment I had chosen, someone else lit it up instead. I was at the back, however, I saw him look under his shoulder and realized this breakaway group wouldn't hold this pace all the way to the turn. Just as they slowed slightly, I hammered and broke free. The race was mine!
Unfortunately, that attack put my entry speed to the final corner at 34mph. I got very wide, but turned in just a little too late and missed the apex. I had to get on the brakes to stay on the road and I could see that even with my best possible sprint it was already a done deal - out sprinted by Pedro for second place.
https://www.facebook.com/JHOP100/videos/743654336153560/
Still, it was the fastest ever century for me and a complete success for the bike. The race was really fun. A bit more relaxed in the group because of the distance and everyone was friendly. Someone asked as the podium list was being built: does the recumbent count? "Of course I count!", was my quick reply. I wasn't the only recumbent, but I was the only racing recumbent - hopefully the organizers encourage and we see more recumbents in the future. The breakaway groups were much more well suited to the recumbent than the surging of the larger group. Some people commented afterward that I moved very predictably and they didn't have any trouble with me in the group. Plus, I was active at the front of the race most of the time so that helped keep it fast, but honestly, what makes it safe in the group is the rider, not the bike. My initial strategy of riding solo from the gun fell apart at mile 40, but I had moved on to plan B long before we were caught and my heart rate stayed low.
https://www.strava.com/activities/2902180606
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