Race Strategy
Today, as Ben and I pounded out another training ride, we discussed our thoughts on RAO. We are both really excited about RAO, more for the huge adventure that RAO represents and the elevation that RAO is in our cycling then for anything else. I feel so fortunate to have the knowledge that my crew chief has ridden thousands of training miles with me and the RAO course. There are many aspects of Ultra’s I find appealing, I like the competition, but I also like the friendly nature of the competition. For me, just finishing RAO will be huge.
A number of us have had the wonderful opportunity to preview the RAO course either as part of one of the race camps or on our own. Unfortunately, not everyone will have the opportunity to do this. So, in the eye’s of fairness, Ben and I thought it would be only just for us to share some of our thoughts on the RAO course. As Lon Haldeman said in the Quotable Cyclist, "Machine's don't break records. Muscles do."
The early miles are where it counts...
Yes. RAO is a long race - 538 miles. When those wimps at Fireweed have fallen off their bikes and started to quiver, we will still have another 138 miles left to travel. By the time the desert riders down at Furnace Creek are well off their bikes in the shower, we still have another 30 miles to go - mostly uphill. When it comes to climbing, only RAAM has more. But we all knew all this, that’s why where here. You’re not going to RAO because it’s easy. You do it because it's HARD!
So back to the strategy. If you have ridden the RAO course, or even looked at the course profile online, you will see that RAO is a very front loaded competition when it comes to the climbing. The first 200 miles or so of RAO has more then half of the total climbing. Like any bike race, the mountains are what will separate the field. If you want to open a gap, a big gap, it must be done in these early miles. Climbing Hood, at 12.5 MPH instead of 10 MPH, equates to going 25% faster, where on a flat doing 20 MPH going 25% faster equates to going 25 MPH.
Last year while helping officiate RAO I timed splits of the racers at Service Creek, just shy of the half way point. At this point, the lead riders had opened up well over hour gaps. Think about it. The larger your gap, the more time you have to do whatever you want before there is any chance you will see your competition. Just remember, the rules do forbid dancing naked, so no matter how much time you have you must keep your shorts on. After Service Creek, the course in general will flatten out which greatly reduces the opportunity to open/close large gaps.
The other advantage of riding hard in the early hills is the bonus recovery time which is offered in this portion of the course. It's not uncommon for some riders to do better on hilly time trails, then on flat ones. On a flat TT your position and muscle groups never change, where hilly TT’s introduce more opportunities to change positions and recover. On the flats there is never any chance change muscle groups and recover.
Good luck to everyone,
Its Tartan Time!
A number of us have had the wonderful opportunity to preview the RAO course either as part of one of the race camps or on our own. Unfortunately, not everyone will have the opportunity to do this. So, in the eye’s of fairness, Ben and I thought it would be only just for us to share some of our thoughts on the RAO course. As Lon Haldeman said in the Quotable Cyclist, "Machine's don't break records. Muscles do."
The early miles are where it counts...
Yes. RAO is a long race - 538 miles. When those wimps at Fireweed have fallen off their bikes and started to quiver, we will still have another 138 miles left to travel. By the time the desert riders down at Furnace Creek are well off their bikes in the shower, we still have another 30 miles to go - mostly uphill. When it comes to climbing, only RAAM has more. But we all knew all this, that’s why where here. You’re not going to RAO because it’s easy. You do it because it's HARD!
So back to the strategy. If you have ridden the RAO course, or even looked at the course profile online, you will see that RAO is a very front loaded competition when it comes to the climbing. The first 200 miles or so of RAO has more then half of the total climbing. Like any bike race, the mountains are what will separate the field. If you want to open a gap, a big gap, it must be done in these early miles. Climbing Hood, at 12.5 MPH instead of 10 MPH, equates to going 25% faster, where on a flat doing 20 MPH going 25% faster equates to going 25 MPH.
Last year while helping officiate RAO I timed splits of the racers at Service Creek, just shy of the half way point. At this point, the lead riders had opened up well over hour gaps. Think about it. The larger your gap, the more time you have to do whatever you want before there is any chance you will see your competition. Just remember, the rules do forbid dancing naked, so no matter how much time you have you must keep your shorts on. After Service Creek, the course in general will flatten out which greatly reduces the opportunity to open/close large gaps.
The other advantage of riding hard in the early hills is the bonus recovery time which is offered in this portion of the course. It's not uncommon for some riders to do better on hilly time trails, then on flat ones. On a flat TT your position and muscle groups never change, where hilly TT’s introduce more opportunities to change positions and recover. On the flats there is never any chance change muscle groups and recover.
Good luck to everyone,
Its Tartan Time!
Labels: Race Across Oregon, Race Strategy
1 Comments:
Kenneth,
Man, I think the Italian Grease in your bottom bracket has done went to your head! "Flat" after Service Creek? What about the un-named summit, the highest point of the whole course? And Keyes Creek, and Ochocho - some say the hardest climb - and Warm Springs and Blue Box, and what's that little hill at the end? Oh, yeah, TIMBERLINE!
Naked Dancing Candy Ass Llama
By
Unknown, at 8:04 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home