Edogawakikkoman
Maximum Pace
- Jan 14, 2007
- 2,550
- 253
This is long so if you jump to the bold you'll see the punch line....
Been having a blast at our Tuesday night training rides. The course really suits me compared to the Edo river Sunday morning rides. The main difference being, if you get dropped at the Edo river you almost have no chance of ever catching the leaders. It's a long straight race no looping back. GAME OVER.
With our night training there is a section we must slow down in, as it's a bit dangerous and it's a good spot to catch up to the break aways. (even if you go through there too fast). The course is a hill, then a slow patch then a downhill, then 2 long straights (3.1km). The variety is fun. After we've warmed up for 2 laps we usually have light hearted sprints at the 2km mark. Light hearted but competitive. Because it's a loop you can lap the slower guys and use them to help you get your breath back before you drop them again and try and jump ahead even further.
Lately, I've been outsprinting everybody, mostly due to the extra weight I have in comparison and I'm good at drafting and accelerating. In the process of beating 'faster' riders than me, two of them have been employing 'tactics' to stop me winning. It's even greater training for me trying to out smart their out smartingness. 2 against one, evil against good. The last 4 trainings the 2 fastest guys have been breaking away with a lap or two before we finish. I've managed to catch them and beat them 3 out of 4. (I turn my lights off going up the dark tree covered hill road and they think I've been dropped. I then follow tree lines and keep out of sight till they slow down a bit. I get back to them and beat them. Annoys the clap out of them.
They had figured out I have been a sly guy and they came up with a new plan of attack last night. They launched a severe attack on the first lap. (3.1km laps X 12). Off they went... uch:
Should I chase or should I wait? We had 2 first timers last night and they were not used to this game of cat and mouse. I knew I'd have to reel the break in by myself or lose. I decided to chase. I employed the lights off technique and spurted up the hill aiming at the red flashing lights bobbling away up ahead. But they didn't fall for it. They were going extra hard. I went extra hard. I was getting close. They saw me and went hard again. This was a fight I couldn't win and I decided to go fast but at a pace where I was not puffing. They were about 400m away the whole time now but they soon gradually started to pull away. I needed help. I must have chased alone for about 15kms or so.
Damn, I was beaten. Some slower guys caught up to me and we picked up the pace again. We got faster and faster. I knew we were still too far away. 2 of us launched a last attack. There was only 4km to go and if we didn't see them in the next km then they had beaten us. I didn't want them to get off this easy though. I told our captain who was with me... let's hide up the top of the hill and wait for them coming for the last 2km. We hid behind a wall and waited about 3 minutes... some of the slower guys passed us then the 2 fast guys came around the top bend and we ducked down behind them. They had no idea we were there and they were sure that we were a long way away. Coming down the hill I went for it and ripped past them at about 50kph+ and saw the looks in their eyes . They saw the look in mine They thought I had caught them again. They came after me. I had my little mirror and could see them and paced myself to let them catch me. I let them lead. I tucked in behind them and blasted away again and passed them again, crossing the finish line.
After about 10 minutes of watching their sad faces I told them that they had actually beaten me by 3.1km. Next week, I'm going to just draft behind them the whole night and not partake in any sprints till the last one. What will they try next week? Too much fun. Had to tell somebody. Even if you don't read it all...
Next week. I'm not bringing any extras. No tools, no tubes, one drink holder, empty pockets...wash and oil my jet. This is war.
Been having a blast at our Tuesday night training rides. The course really suits me compared to the Edo river Sunday morning rides. The main difference being, if you get dropped at the Edo river you almost have no chance of ever catching the leaders. It's a long straight race no looping back. GAME OVER.
With our night training there is a section we must slow down in, as it's a bit dangerous and it's a good spot to catch up to the break aways. (even if you go through there too fast). The course is a hill, then a slow patch then a downhill, then 2 long straights (3.1km). The variety is fun. After we've warmed up for 2 laps we usually have light hearted sprints at the 2km mark. Light hearted but competitive. Because it's a loop you can lap the slower guys and use them to help you get your breath back before you drop them again and try and jump ahead even further.
Lately, I've been outsprinting everybody, mostly due to the extra weight I have in comparison and I'm good at drafting and accelerating. In the process of beating 'faster' riders than me, two of them have been employing 'tactics' to stop me winning. It's even greater training for me trying to out smart their out smartingness. 2 against one, evil against good. The last 4 trainings the 2 fastest guys have been breaking away with a lap or two before we finish. I've managed to catch them and beat them 3 out of 4. (I turn my lights off going up the dark tree covered hill road and they think I've been dropped. I then follow tree lines and keep out of sight till they slow down a bit. I get back to them and beat them. Annoys the clap out of them.
They had figured out I have been a sly guy and they came up with a new plan of attack last night. They launched a severe attack on the first lap. (3.1km laps X 12). Off they went... uch:
Should I chase or should I wait? We had 2 first timers last night and they were not used to this game of cat and mouse. I knew I'd have to reel the break in by myself or lose. I decided to chase. I employed the lights off technique and spurted up the hill aiming at the red flashing lights bobbling away up ahead. But they didn't fall for it. They were going extra hard. I went extra hard. I was getting close. They saw me and went hard again. This was a fight I couldn't win and I decided to go fast but at a pace where I was not puffing. They were about 400m away the whole time now but they soon gradually started to pull away. I needed help. I must have chased alone for about 15kms or so.
Damn, I was beaten. Some slower guys caught up to me and we picked up the pace again. We got faster and faster. I knew we were still too far away. 2 of us launched a last attack. There was only 4km to go and if we didn't see them in the next km then they had beaten us. I didn't want them to get off this easy though. I told our captain who was with me... let's hide up the top of the hill and wait for them coming for the last 2km. We hid behind a wall and waited about 3 minutes... some of the slower guys passed us then the 2 fast guys came around the top bend and we ducked down behind them. They had no idea we were there and they were sure that we were a long way away. Coming down the hill I went for it and ripped past them at about 50kph+ and saw the looks in their eyes . They saw the look in mine They thought I had caught them again. They came after me. I had my little mirror and could see them and paced myself to let them catch me. I let them lead. I tucked in behind them and blasted away again and passed them again, crossing the finish line.
After about 10 minutes of watching their sad faces I told them that they had actually beaten me by 3.1km. Next week, I'm going to just draft behind them the whole night and not partake in any sprints till the last one. What will they try next week? Too much fun. Had to tell somebody. Even if you don't read it all...
Next week. I'm not bringing any extras. No tools, no tubes, one drink holder, empty pockets...wash and oil my jet. This is war.