March 2003 News Archives
Buy local - Race local
Alta
Sport welcomes
Paceline Products as our official
skin care provider. Receive your free sample of Chamois Butt'r at your
next Alta Sport event. Paceline Products are based out of Liberty,
Missouri.
Why does it always feel so windy in the Midwest? Cyclists in middle
America, not to be confused with
middle earth,
are known to be some of the toughest. Middle America is a challenging
place to train and race.
Never
cold or snowy enough for prolonged cross-country skiing you are just as
likely to wear shorts and ski in the same two weeks in January. The
constant change in weather patterns often leaves the late February and
March training races colder than the
December cross races.
Add the spring winds to a 30 degree day and the criterium you are racing
is going to be challenging. The time tested saying holds true "If you
don't like the weather in the Midwest just wait a little".
We
asked Velotek Training's coach Jim Whittaker about environmental factors
in Midwest racing and Jim had this to say. "Many beginning cyclist let the
wind pysch themselves out, it's important to realize that everyone
experiences the same conditions. The key is to race smart when the race
conditions make the race harder.
On
windless days you can be inattentive and still receive a full draft. Add a
15 - 25 mph cross wind and you are fighting for your life in the peleton.
Riding an echelon in a cross wind takes tactical know-how and an ability
to assert and hold your position in the pack. Unlike hills and mountains
that have a clear start and finish, in a typical spring road race you can
gutter draft for hours.
Jim
says you should stay towards the front and be prepared to aggressively
defend your spot. Be prepared to work extra hard early to stay near the
front, later you will be able to relax as the race settles down. A stiff
crosswind almost always means the race will start fast and furious so be
sure your
warm-up is enough.
The
ever changing wind dynamics and your relative position make racing in a
criterium or circuit even more difficult. Quickly learning the rhythm of
the pack and finding the best wind position is critical. Cycling is a
sport of subtle percentages, work a little bit harder each lap because of
poor positioning and you will lose the sprint by a bike length. The best
riders never work harder than they have to
.
If you race your spring training races to win you are missing the point.
Practice your pack positioning and other skills at the training race so
you will win your priority "A" race in late spring or early summer. Never
sacrifice your most important goals to be a March winner.
"Gringo with ghost white tan steals Yuma Sunshine!"
Steve
Rouff Team X cyclist, coached by Velotek Training takes the first
win of the 2003 season! Steve wins with the help of fellow Team X'er Lance
Sulzen, Steve won the Category 3 field
20th Annual
North End Classic Criterium and Stage Race! The classic is in Steve's
hometown of
Yuma, Arizona which no doubt sweetens the victory.
Steve's Arizona Racing story & photos.
Velotek athletes place high in Perry Category 4 race, Junior Chris Hall takes 3rd. Craig Bissell places 5th, and Dean Parker 6th.
Team X Races to Nowhere to support the MS Society. See the photos!
HOT WINGS ALERT, the best wings in Lawrence sponsors the Spring Fling! Another great reason to sprint, Mojo wings! Win Mojo Bucks and eat on us.
