Tour of Battenkill - Bike Race
Is anyone else doing the Tour of Battenkill bike race? I'm registered for the CAT 5 division and got an email from the RD that they will be splitting the CAT 5 into several fields and to update our Team Name for the groupings. I figured if anyone else was doing it, and doesn't have a real cycling team, that maybe we could use EN as our team and at least work together. Or at a minimum, maybe we'll all be in the same field at the start...
Also, will anyone have a friend/significant other/etc that will be handing you water or nutrition in the feed zones? Gonna make for a long 70 mile race if I have to carry all of my own water and nutrition for the whole day from the start...
Thoughts?
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Comments
I did Battenkill in 2010 - you're going to have a lot of fun.
1) Get used to riding on unpaved roads of various wetness. Get used to the feel. I stopped because I though I had a flat and lost the field, my tire was fine, i just wasn't used to riding on semi damp unpaved road. DO NOT LOSE THE FIELD under any circumstances, it will make for a long day otherwise.
2) Water nutrition - there is a neutral support area, they gave out water in 2010, but in normal screw cap bottles.
3) Let me know if you've got any questions about the race, PM me and I'll give you my mobile number.
Thanks for the color on the course and the race... I was going to PM you with this, but figured I just put it here on the off chance somebody else sees it as well and has an opinion. I'm trying to make a decision on what crankset to use on my road bike. Currently it has a standard crankset. If I keep this on there, I'll want to race with a Powertap training wheel so I can at least collect some data from the day. My other alternative is to swap the crank with what I have on my tri bike which is a Compact SRM with Osymetric chainrings. If I did this, I'd race with my bullet proof American Classic Hurricane wheels with 25c tires. This course certainly has some hills and a lot of dirt sections. I think I'm good on the dirt, but as a 188lb dude, I'll need every advantage I can get on the hills to keep with the pack of 145lb little shits... My roadie buddy says to suck it up and use the standard crank. I kind of would prefer to use the SRM... But will I be disadvantaged with a Compact? Also any advice on a cassette with either choice?
Thanks!
When I did Battenkill in 2010, I had just gotten my first compact crank (on my tri bike). My road bike was still equipped with a 53/39, I think I used an 11-27. I definitely wanted more gears! There are some serious steep sections on that course, some of them on dirt, IIRC the steepest was paved.
I'd go with a compact and an 11-26. You'll really only need the top end for a sprint finish. The rest of the time you just need enough to stay with the pack. So I do not think you'd be at a disadvantage with a compact. I stayed in a house with a bunch of roadies, I was the only cat 5 there. A few had compacts, one actually had a triple.
Run the PM, but do not look at it during the race, you'll probably be pushing a lot more watts than you're used to and your tri brain may psych you out. I'd put a piece of tape over the power display or have the computer now show it for that race. You'll look at your own power output in awe after the race when you view it in WKO+.
Feel free to PM me or give me a call.
I would rock the SRM on the compact. With a nice wide cassette, you will have plenty of options. I always use a 11/28 and am never wanting for choices. The compact will be fine. Plus, it will allow you you preferred wheels and tires - I think a big advantage for a race with dirt sections.
Regarding power, I agree and disagree with Cary. You will be spiking your watts, don't let that scare you. You will have a high VI. Don't let that scare you. Both those things mean you are making the right choices. Spike the watts to make your moves and hang with the pack. Rest, soft pedal and coast where you can. If you look at Roadie power files. they are on the gas attacking or sitting up in the peloton plotting their next move. Road races are a combination sprints/efforts and then active recovery where you can find it. Winners don't "pull". they position, attack, wait bide their time and attack again.
Have a blast!