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The problem with having so few categories is that it is really hard to learn the basics of racing if you can't keep up with the main peloton, especially if you are a hobbyist with a life and a family. Plus, it automatically excludes so many people, it'd be nice if more of our team could come out and compete while having a reasonable chance of succeeding.Yes, "hobby races" are considered to be the entry level (although I get the impression that they are full of sandbaggers), but races are so few and far between in Japan that not signing up for JBCF makes it harder to fill up a race calendar without having to travel a ton. At least it is where I live.
The problem with having so few categories is that it is really hard to learn the basics of racing if you can't keep up with the main peloton, especially if you are a hobbyist with a life and a family. Plus, it automatically excludes so many people, it'd be nice if more of our team could come out and compete while having a reasonable chance of succeeding.
Strong team Andy!!!! I signed up...but not sure I will make it...still hopeful!!! Does Tazaki have gravel skills too? He is a beast!!!The basic format of this race shouldn't be confused as a 160km road race with 30km gravel.
There are 3 timed sectors. The culmulative time for these sectors will be your finishing time.
Sector 1. 11.3km / 378m all gravel
Sector 2. 13.4km / 490m (9.5km/172m gravel & 6.8km/388m at 5.8% on road) *these numbers don't quite add up, I think the first part of the gravel won't be timed and the first part of the 6.8km climb will be gravel)
Sector 3. 16.6km / 643m (7.7km/440m gravel & 9km/200m rolling road)
So roughly 28km gravel / 14km road, or in other words, two thirds gravel.
Between these sections is some tough on road up and down, but as it isn't timed, there is no need to race it.
We are racing as a 3 man team with the time of the 3rd man being counted. I will definitely be 3rd man on the 2nd sector with a virtual 7km on road HC at the end. My plan is offload everything I'm carrying to teammate Niseko/Fuji champion Tazaki san!
Andy
Andy, Does this mean you are riding relaxed in-between the timed segments? So there is no hurry to complete the entire 140km?The basic format of this race shouldn't be confused as a 160km road race with 30km gravel.
There are 3 timed sectors. The culmulative time for these sectors will be your finishing time.
Sector 1. 11.3km / 378m all gravel
Sector 2. 13.4km / 490m (9.5km/172m gravel & 6.8km/388m at 5.8% on road) *these numbers don't quite add up, I think the first part of the gravel won't be timed and the first part of the 6.8km climb will be gravel)
Sector 3. 16.6km / 643m (7.7km/440m gravel & 9km/200m rolling road)
So roughly 28km gravel / 14km road, or in other words, two thirds gravel.
Between these sections is some tough on road up and down, but as it isn't timed, there is no need to race it.
We are racing as a 3 man team with the time of the 3rd man being counted. I will definitely be 3rd man on the 2nd sector with a virtual 7km on road HC at the end. My plan is offload everything I'm carrying to teammate Niseko/Fuji champion Tazaki san!
Andy
Strong team Andy!!!! I signed up...but not sure I will make it...still hopeful!!! Does Tazaki have gravel skills too? He is a beast!!!
Speaking of heart rate, I haven't come anywhere near my all-time max lately. I'm not entirely sure I even could while properly trained. I current feel like death somewhere about 12 bpm lower than my absolute max.
Previously I could get closer to seven or eight beats before I felt really bad. Of course, the only time I've ever seen my max (187) was while digging deeper than ever during a ramp test while detrained.
I have no idea what my LTHR actually is. I don't think I have any HR data for an all-all 30 minute effort. Probably about 160 at the moment, though. Things get truly hard at 170 and above. At 180 I have seconds left.
LTHR is a good value to know. For me it is perhaps the most important thing.
The disadvantages of HR Vs. power are well documented.
But HR can be utilized effectively in many ways.
For race pacing, it is great to know your LTHR. Assuming you have tapered and prepared correctly, your HR should be responsive and sit in the zone you want to sit. The slow response of heart rate can actually be advantageous when trying to keep a steady pace over a varied undulating course.
For measuring freshness in training, it is also invaluable. Assuming your FTP and LTHR are directly related, a lower than LTHR at FTP indicates fatigue. For training, fatigue is of course important, as it is a result of training stress. So you can keep an eye on how big the difference is. If there is a big discrepancy between LTHR and FTP, this is a warning sign to back off and take a rest.
For measuring freshness as you get ready for a race, HR response is great to measure and tweak your fitness.
Now I am doing a taper.
For me, in the middle of a taper, with lots of rest, I should be able to hit LTHR in 90s of hard effort. At the end of the taper, and during the race warm up, I want to be able to hit LTHR in 60s.
If I can't hit LTHR in 90s tomorrow, after two days of rest, I'll adjust my taper accordingly.
Just a few ways to use LTHR. I think it is definitely worth testing. A 20 min FTP test or a HC race should give you the data you need.
Andy
Probably need to take a rest as I'm hitting good numbers at a lower than usual HR, but climbing stairs is a chore and I feel mildly fatigued most of the time.
I did that at some moderate group rides. And it worked quite well. Chatting while riding also helped keeping it easy. I just had to watch myself not riding in front all the way and let others have their turn in the wind.Every time I set out for a Z1 recovery ride I end up attacking a Strava segment or doing a TT effort....
Maybe if I limit myself to the small ring and actually keep to it? Hehe.