RSS Feed of New Posts http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php Fri, 18 May 2012 05:45:08 -0700 5 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=41082
A) other ladies are thinking about going
if anyone has any thoughts/advice for stage races in general and/or this one in particular for someone that's never done a stage race before.

Just a note for those thinking about going, Pre-registration closes Monday then the price goes up $20

Thanks! Alice]]> Alice Case Gina Kavesh Thu, 10 May 2012 18:09:17 -0700 41082 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=41217
Frame is Medium (54cm)

Only ridden one season, March - November, 2011. In near perfect condition.

See photos on Craigs List at " http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/spo/3018298537.html"

Bikesale Team price $2600.00

email me at "Stevedt@comcast.net" if you want additional photos or questions.

Steve

http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=1651]]> Steve Thompson Steve Thompson Tue, 15 May 2012 22:09:53 -0700 41217 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40991
]]> Derek Churchyard Derek Churchyard Mon, 07 May 2012 09:09:09 -0700 40991 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=41150
In the final lap we only had 5 or 6 guys remaining and only 4 of us were doing work. I skipped a few pulls since I thought the HSP & Apex guys were screwing with us for the final sprint. Matt and Cory (HSP) were the big engines in the group! The final 3K: we took the hill pretty easy with the 6 remaining guys all together, at 1K Cory (HSP) punched it, Matt grabbed his wheel, I came around Ortho guy and got Matt's wheel...it was only the three of us at 700M. Around 500M Cory tired and Matt came through, Cory grabbed his wheel and I was third. Inside 200M Cory started his sprint first (tactical error by me); he went left over Matt; then I went right (tactical error #2)...final sprint and Cory held on for first. He was the strongest in the end, but I really wanted to get first since we were in such a good position. Matt rode super strong and was great to be with in the break!]]> Robert Watson Mike Robson Sun, 13 May 2012 18:27:33 -0700 41150 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40064

(L) Armwarmers
(L) Socks
(L) Bib short
(XL) SS Jersey
(XL) or (XL) LS Jersey
(XL) Vest


Also if anybody has 2009 Bikesale/wines...L/XL...hit me up]]> Paul Fredericks Paul Fredericks Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:09:50 -0700 40064 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40621
Can anyone offer advice on the Williams 58?
https://williamscycling.3dcartstores.com/Wh...bular_p_22.html

Are these a good value or should I consider something else?
Williams 58 $1000+tax 1471gm
Easton EC90 1335gm

Thanks,
-Peter]]> Peter DesRosier steve berard Sat, 21 Apr 2012 17:11:11 -0700 40621 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40920
http://www.rei.com/product/816726/thule-t2-xtr-2-bike
http://www.rei.com/product/784535/yakima-h...bike-hitch-rack

It seems like the arm that hooks over the front wheel keeps it pretty steady.

Thoughts? Thanks!

-Mike]]> mike schwindeller steve berard Fri, 04 May 2012 09:38:42 -0700 40920 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40990 These 1/2 hour clinic/races are terrific opportunities to learn, practice AND actually be shown what folks are talking about when saying launch an attack, do counter attack, how to think through a course as to be well positioned for a prime and/or finish. There will be at least 3 upper category ladies riding along side, encouraging, egging on and showing/talking through things to be thinking of while riding/race. This week it's 2 TGH'ers & our own Laura Chang out there helping - so some really good instructors to learn from.

Carpool as to keep the commute somewhat less frustrating.

- gina]]> Gina Kavesh Linda Moul Mon, 07 May 2012 08:43:22 -0700 40990 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40989
Mike]]> Mike Robson Mike Robson Mon, 07 May 2012 08:11:15 -0700 40989 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40948 Alec Moorman Alec Moorman Sat, 05 May 2012 09:54:08 -0700 40948 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40924
- gina]]> Gina Kavesh Gina Kavesh Fri, 04 May 2012 12:25:11 -0700 40924 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40879 Does anyone have any Ideas on where to sell Bike stuff, and not on E Bay Please, Not on our site. Bob Cozzetti Bob Cozzetti Wed, 02 May 2012 19:01:19 -0700 40879 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40818
It was a fun day overall (yes, even standing in the rain on Corner 2--wet, but good company)! I have to say, I was a little disappointed with my own race. We attacked and did everything we all talked about pre-race, and I knew where I wanted to be going into the last corner, but it just seemed like the FP and Petersons girls were better at positioning themselves, and I found myself up front pulling when I didn't want to be just before that last corner, but not knowing how to reposition myself at that point without losing places at that crucial turn (which is exactly what happened just before going into corner 4)--it was SO frustrating and irritating, because we had done the majority of attacks and counter attacks, and I still felt strong and pretty good, but watched other teams whip around me at the end without much I could do about it. We should have had podiums, but instead, the other teams got them--GRRR!!! I don't know about the other girls, but some further discussion about positioning and controlling the group with the numbers and advantage we should have would be helpful. I think we did ok at chasing down attacks from other teams, so no one really got away from us, but in the end, they still "got" us with better finishes. IMO,that has happened far too many times, and I'm ready for that to CHANGE.

Also, talking with Kristen from Petersons afterwards, who had cut in quite a number of times without really having the space to do that, I congratulated her on a well-fought race, but also tried asking her about the number of times she had cut in front of girls during the race by "slanting" into a spot when her front wheel had some clearance, but without enough room for her back wheel, causing a dangerous situation for those behind her who had to avoid hitting her at an angle as she was taking the spot she wanted. Her reply was that she was only responsible for her front wheel (implying it was everyone else's job to watch out for the rest??)... As I've always understood it, you're kind of looking for a little more clearance than that when moving around in the pack. Am I mistaken? Should we be moving a little more aggressively in the pack (in other words, I don't think we need two bike lengths before we move into a space, but shouldn't we have at least one, or "almost" one)? I feel like we've been trained really well in that respect, not to be sketchy or endanger ourselves or the rest of the pack, so it made me wonder if she was just being arrogant and/or stupid, or if her coach/team leaders have actually given her that counsel... She pretty much "took" the spots she wanted, but in the end she won, so does the end justify the means, or will it come back to bite her (and those riding near her) at some point? Do we just avoid someone like that and end up letting her win/get a higher placing? That scenario was REALLY frustrating, so some wisdom would be appreciated.

I called the Petersons girl (and I think a girl from Oly-Orth?--someone in a red kit...) on the slanting in once or twice during the race (without much effect, apparently), so I'm wondering if it's just me, or if anyone else thought they were a bit sketchy, and how does one handle that, especially (unfortunately) when it seems to be "working" for them?

~Keira




]]> Keira Ehler Gina Kavesh Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:24:25 -0700 40818 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40824
http://spokanerocketvelo.com/index.php?opt...&Itemid=122

Our races start at 11ish...hotels and gas can be shared...]]> kerby kuykendall kerby kuykendall Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:21:34 -0700 40824 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40801
Mike]]> Mike Robson andrew_f_martin Sun, 29 Apr 2012 20:27:45 -0700 40801 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=39433
Our team race is 4/28, Olympic View Road Race and it is the state championship this year!! I will be coordinating again with Erik Anderson as the promoter. So, very similar to last year.

Please expect several communications over the next couple weeks as we try to organize 'volunteers'. If there is something you would prefer doing please let me know. We need A LOT of people for this course. Corner 4 is a difficult one to manage, so we tend to staff up there. There are also 5 races going on at a time so we need 10-15 cars in the AM and PM, with drivers, etc. I'm going to start by collecting all the names from the captains and then start slotting people into roles.

If you are intending on racing in the afternoon it is advantageous to volunteer to drive. If you volunteer a car, you get to drive. Please email me if you can volunteer a vehicle.

We were AWESOME last year! The promoters team had a lot of good things to say about how we handled ourselves and our willingness to do whatever asked. Let's keep up again this year!

]]> Scot Weeks Alan Ehler Sat, 03 Mar 2012 15:22:10 -0800 39433 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40796 Scot Weeks Alec Moorman Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:22:26 -0700 40796 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40681 Matt Munson Nick Duckstein Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:15:37 -0700 40681 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40715 Is there something other than embrocation that is being used?]]> Peter DesRosier Gina Kavesh Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:55:27 -0700 40715 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40704
-Course looks to be rolling. Are the rollers mostly flat or any significant climbers to be aware of?
-How does the pack tend to approach the course? Start out slower?
-Any sketchy sections/turns to be cautious of?

Thanks ahead!
Alicia]]> Alicia King Alicia King Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:59:25 -0700 40704 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40702
PM me...]]> lise grace lise grace Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:09:10 -0700 40702 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40691
We left Seattle Friday morning and got into town with enough time to unpack at hotel, grab our race packets from the shop, and then headed out to the TT course to pre-ride the 8 mile course. Gina had recommended a flow of events for the weekend and this worked out really well - thank you The TT course started out on what feels like a false flat for the first 3+ miles until you start cresting up the hill. Was good to get a feel for this before the TT so we could think through how to tackle the course. After we got over the hill climb which seems to run from Mile 3-4 you start the descent which is fast! You're descending all the way until the end until you reach a small hill leading you up to the last 200M. If you have a good momentum from the descending you can stay seated and roll up the hill pretty fast which then heads into the last turn where the 200M finish sign will be.

On Sat morning the crit for CAT 4 started at 7:30am so was an early wake up for our room. Erin got the luxury of sleeping in a little more We stayed at Hotel motel Holiday Innnn which was a little over a mile from crit course. Good location since we could bike to/from crit course for warmup/cooldown. Warmed up on the crit course to get a feel for the corners and road conditions. The crit course has 8+ corners (not sure on exact number) and loop is a little over 1 mile. The loop starts around the first corner on a false flat and then levels out after you get around the second corner. Roads were pretty good, but there were a few spots with seams that you had to be aware of. The crit race got out to a fast start and I was able to get clipped in well, but one issue I had with my road bike the entire weekend was I borrowed race wheels and made the mistake of not testing them out before the race. As a result my shifting was off, and felt limited with gears. So around the second corner I fell to the back of the pack which makes the effort seem so much harder. You're constantly breaking to the accordian effect from the pack or chasing after they slam it around the corner. I got to witness a pretty crazy crash out with a girl who flipped her bike, but managed to dodge the incident. After the mid-point I found myself off the pack and chasing solo. With 3 laps to go 2 girls came up to join me and one told me to grab her wheel which was great. We worked the last 3 laps together where I rolled in behind them to finish. One huge learning from this stage is the importance of finishing with the lead pack. I remember people telling me to focus on finishing with the pack, but did not understand until afterwards how you're placed in GC based on where you finish. I finished 1:25 behind the leader which meant I heading into the TT needing to make up that time to catch back up in the GC - that's ambitious for a TT! If I had stayed attached to the pack or worked harder on those last 3 laps to stay closer to the leaders that would have reduced the amount of time leading into the TT. Next time...Left the stage 13th in the GC.

The TT stage was the same day as the crit so after we wrapped up the crit we did a 30 minute cool down before heading back to the hotel for our second breakfast and a nap. One nice thing about racing a TT later that day is that we required less of a warmup. All of us had received advice to keep the warmup to 20-30 minutes at the most so an easy spin out on the first part of the course and back with a few surges got that in. Knew what to expect on the course and my approach was to work hard on the first 3 miles in the headwind and on the hill since the descending would offer recovery. Once I got over the hill I gave everything I had left into the descent and was moving at a fast pace. A little intimidating looking down at the speed! Rolled up the last roller seated and down in my aero bars which then headed into the last turn for the 200M sprint. Ended up 7th in TT results which moved me up to 10th in the GC.

That night the day of racing started to hit us and after dinner crashed hard in prep for early alarm the next morning. The RR was a 25-30 minute drive from hotel and CAT 3 went off at 8:20am and CAT 4 at 8:30am. Similar to the TT avoided doing a really long warmup since the start of the course included a 7 mile entry strip that I planned to use for warming up into the race. The pecking order for the RR was somewhat figured out beforehand because I had the climbers identified and those who were high up in the GC. Those were the ones I wanted to stay close to so when they went off the front I was in a good position to go with. The pace stayed pretty calm up to the first set of climbing unfolded which was closer to the 15 mile mark. Once we started heading up the climb the pace picked up and around the mid-point of the climb a break took off and I followed suit but not attached comfortably. Attached by a string I kept up as long as I could then started fading off the back. One of the starbucks girls I work well with during races came up and encourged me to grab her wheel to get back up there and went with her for a little while but couldn't hold it. Watched as she took off wanting the power she was digging up to attach to the break. I kept chasing knowing there was a chance I could get reconnected on the later climbs or hoping someone would flat, tire out and join me in the chase. The rest of the pack was too far back at this point to drop back so just kept chasing. Starbucks girl ended up falling off the break with another girl and caught starbucks girl and started working well together in hopes of getting the other girl and eventually back to the break. After working for a long stretch we were suddenly suprised - caught by a pursuing chase pack! Included 2 of her teammates (one of them higher up in the GC) along with a girl from Group health, Gregg's cycle, and another team. Like that we molded into the larger chase back which in a lot of ways was relieving. One note on the starbucks team that I thought was great. The two Starbucks girls in the chase pack that suprised us knew one of them was higher up in the GC so the other girl lower in the GC assumed the role of working her ass off to get Debbie attached to us. She pulled the entire way in the chase pursuit and let Debbie recover off the back and once they caught us Debbie joined her other teammate high in the GC and the teammate dropped back since she was dead from the chasing. I was impressed with the team work so wanted to share that bit of info... With the pack we got over the last climb. Pace was slower than what we were pushing before, but at that point going off the front was not an option since you would likely get swallowed back up. After we got over the last crest a few girls in the pack started picking up the pace as we approached the 5K remaining mark. I focused on staying up towards the front, but avoiding being out front working to conserve for the sprint. With about 3K to go the starbucks girl I was working with earlier asked me to go off the front with her and her teamate to switch pulls on the last 3K stretch. The three of us took off and took the others with us, but got the group rolling at a faster pace with the switch offs. This positioned me well leading into the last 1K. At that point the pace stepped up more as everyone scrambled for positioning to get ready for the last 200M. 200M mark hit and it was everything left into the finish. sprinting is not one of my strengths and I know I have a lot to learn on technique, but ended up grabbing a few spots in the GC by finishing 9th in the race. After all the results were in this put me 8th in the GC.

One of the toughest weekends of racing I've done, but would definitely do it all over. I'm up for next year so would be great to see more ladies out there. Bonus is the winery stops afterwards


]]> Alicia King Alicia King Tue, 24 Apr 2012 23:08:18 -0700 40691 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40294 There is a 10-15 minute debrief post this race & then if you have the energy you can jump in with the 7p races that start as this clinic/event finishes.

Details can be found on buduracing.com & more info should be posted on WSBA listserv this weekend as well.

A great opportunity to actually 'see' & 'experience' much of the discussions that occur in regards to tactics and/or race nuances -

Usually some pretty good nightly schwag is given out as well to top3 places for both new & cat4 categories

- gina]]> Gina Kavesh Emily Beedle Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:34:36 -0700 40294 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40627 Derek Churchyard Derek Churchyard Sat, 21 Apr 2012 21:16:28 -0700 40627 http://www.unionbaycycling.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=40505 Simple objectives lining up for this anti-no-dirt/gravel riding gal – Start, Finish & try to limit myself to 1 squeal like a girl per lap while in the 6 mile gravel/dirt section AND if I was gonna bite it try to do it w/o swearing (too much)
Lining up & Starting – not the easiest task. Was asked by about everyone (except the panhandler on the corner) WAS I SURE I wanted to do this race. No really I didn’t & no I wasn’t sure BUT there has been this inner “I can’t” gremlin in my brain who has been popping out at really inopportune times that I needed to try to shake out of the grey matter. What better way to shake that gremlin out by being jostled & thrown all over the place on gravel roads……
Finishing – managed to do that. Of course there was some epic riding in between. The total loop is 16 miles – 10 miles of none stop up/down with winds that never really got behind you then followed by 6 miles of gravel/dirt that also seemed to have missed some evolutionary moment that would have created ‘flat. However the gravel section was where all the elevation gained on the pavement & first 3 miles of gravel was lost but of course this was also where the wind was directly in your face & going downhill on gravel/dirt isn’t an opportunity to ‘coast’ and/or recover. The finish line is at the top of a dirt kicker that one so wants to stand up to get up & over but standing also meant some quality fishtailing. The gravel/dirt was the piece of this race that intimidated me the most but in hindsight the entire course is just in your face to never allow much respite/recovery. Was very happy to make it to the gravel section attached to what was left of peleton (a solid ˝ of the combined fields was not connected when we hit the gravel on lap1) and was even happier to attach myself to some dudes who knew WTF they were doing on the gravel when I was detached from said main group on the gravel on lap1….Unbeknownst to me the ‘main group’ became pods of 2’s, 3’s & an occasional 4 by the time they got back onto the pavement 6 miles later. The carnage into small pods of riders on the road was consistent across all fields. The 2nd time through the gravel section my 3 of my 4 dude escorts began to ‘blow’ which is when I came upon another 1/2/3 gal. My already very rattled teeth about dropped out of my mouth when I asked her who was ahead & she said only 1 other gal was ahead of the two of us….. So we hit the beginning of our 3rd & final lap together. At which time one of my dude escorts scrambled his way back to us cuz he too was thinking riding solo into an ever increasing wind was not going to be any fun. So the 3 of us just kept at it till we got the 200m mark where Erica & I sort of did a wacky seated slow dirt sprint that she clearly took.
Squeal Level & Bite it level – yes did squeal at least 1x the first time through the gravel when I found my front end going in a direction different than the back end due to hitting a pretty deep section of sand/dirt but I held it up & started seeing what the dudes were seeing as they meandered all over the road. (Yes no center line rules on the dirt). Avoided squealing lap2….BUT lap 3 got the full on squeal & a solid out loud F-bomb moment when I brainlessly followed my 2 riding companions into the soft shoulder – they both pulled it out but with my lacking dirt skills I couldn’t quite get the bike turned out of the soft stuff before the bike was sideways….I did manage to not topple over into the ditch but it did mean unclipping/stopping for a moment. By this time unclipping was a feat in itself since road cleats do NOT do well with dirt/gravel that is thrown up into them during the preceding laps. BUT no topple over & both my ride-mates felt pretty bad about leading us into that patch so they slowed down & let me catch back onto their wheels.
Was it fun – Hell yes! Will I start riding dirt regularly – Hell NO! But I will go back for RVP again (tho probably not in the rain). Did it jostle out a gremlin or two – I sure the hell hope so cuz every part of my body still aches from all the jarring out there.
Oh and for those technical geeks – I road 26 Kenda tires & had a 26 cassette which I spent a fair amount of time loving my 26 tooth gear on the pavement section as well as the gravel sections.


So there ya have it - and would suggest planning on a trip to spo-vegas/spangle next season if you want to get outside your comfort zone

- gina]]> Gina Kavesh Alec Moorman Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:16:29 -0700 40505