Cotton Classic TT #1

It was great to see Tim back on the bike … I even saved a place for he and Shane to park next to me!
For those that want the bottom line, without reading all my details below, I got second in the 20K and first in the 32K (I was the only entry in my age group in the 32K).
The Details:
 

When I got up yesterday morning at 4:15AM, it was pouring at my house and I was ready to bail on the race … I had signed up for both the 20k and 40K and would be making a contribution of $50 to Saguaro Velo, if I did bail. But I’ve been converted by Shane, so I first checked the radar … it was clearing in AZ City! So I hopped in my car and drove through the rain and arrived at AZ City, to find mostly dry roads with damp, windy and chilly conditions.

I spent my time on the trainer and did a little warm-up on the road and found that I definitely needed a base layer. Returned to the car to get one. First observation, for the way out on the 20K there was a pretty good headwind. Second observation, similar to Rick’s, was I wasn’t getting my HR up as high as usual … I had this happen at the Flapjack TT earlier this year when it was cold … may just affect us old guys?? Third observation,  my power numbers were not as high on the outbound as I expected them to be … I averaged only 253W versus my goal of 265/270W. Coming back was a tail/crosswind and I averaged only 247W … 250W average for the entire 20K. Average outbound was 22.7mph, inbound 27.1mph. Overall numbers were 30:18, 250W, 24.7mph. At first I was a little disappointed with these results as they were off from my time at the State Championship last year which was 29:48, but when I compared them to my key competition, my mood improved. (I’m always looking for things to improve my mood!) Specifically, against Phil Holman (the likely national champ in my age group TT this year), at VOS he averaged 27.1mph versus my 25.4mph. Yesterday he averaged 25.7mph vs. my 24.7mph. So the gap dropped from 1.7mph to just 1.0mph. I have no delusions of catching up with Phil (this year at least!), but I’m  getting closer. I was an easy second place in the 20K.

Upon returning to the car, after the 20k, I had about 15 minutes before the start of the 32k (reduced from 40K due to construction and according to Don Mehaldo it may be that way for the State Championships this year). I was the only entry in my age group for this distance so I was guaranteed first place! Yay! As Tim already reported, there were headwinds in both directions …. kinda weird. Doing both races makes it difficult to pace, but I like to get the race time on the TT bike. I finished the 32K in 49:34 and averaged 24.1mph. I was satisfied with the effort.

 
Note: the road condition in AZ City has gotten even worse over this winter … especially, the first 5K … spent a lot of time dodging potholes and looking for relatively smooth pavement!
 

I’m still thinking of going to Nationals this year for the TT … if I’m properly trained, I feel I have a good chance for top 10, and an outside chance for top 5. I’ll see how the summer goes before deciding.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Kurt and Ariana’s!!

Doug

2015 AZ Crit Champion

2015 AZ State Crit
Aggressors:
Sometimes things just work out without any rhyme or reason.  The 2015 AZ Crit was one of those times.  I arrived at the venue an hr before my race.  The course was surprisingly park-like, given the downtown Mesa location and there was only one turn (a 180) that required close attention.  All the masters men 50+ went off together so it was a big group.  However, the other 70-74 guys seemingly hung out toward the back of the group and just before the start Jack Dillon rolled up next to may and said the 70+ guys were going to hang back a few seconds to stay clear of the 50+ melee.  I was on the front with Lou Wageman and did not really want to do that, but I agreed and moved to the side to be clear of the horde.  The 70+ mini-group was lapped about half way thru the race and I, Jack Dillon, and Michael Patterson latched on as they went by.  A prem lap followed and the group as a whole accelerated significantly toward the end of the lap and I was outputting near 100% to stay buried in the group.  With one lap to go I did look back expecting to see Jack on my wheel, but he was not there, nor was Michael Patterson or anyone else from the 70+ group.  I rode the last lap with Reggie Dowdall and he did sprint at the finish to take his group.  I rolled across behind him to take my group by attrition; all my competitors had been ejected and were absent.  How easy is that?
 
The event seemed very well run.  Boris DeCourt had the scoring completed half an hr after the race and the Promoter had the award ceremony completed an hr after the finish.  Impressive.
 
Rick E.

  • Mission

    Aggress is a Tucson-based statewide / regional cycling team formed in January, 2004.
    As a developmental team for both road and mountain bike racing, Aggress continues to actively – yet carefully – recruit according to a philosophy that emphasizes teamwork in both training and racing tactics.
    Our focus is to race as a team, utilizing team tactics to get our man the win. We ride in support of our designated racer, with each member in turn supported in the key event(s) of his choosing.
    We are aggressive when we race, but we behave in a courteous and sportsmanlike manner at all times. We also have team training rides that we utilize throughout the season.

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