Tour of Battenkill 2011

pgiesin

I know there are a few other ENer's out there gearing up for the Tour of Battenkill in Cambridge, NY on April 10. I thought it might be a good idea to start a thread so that we can encourage, discuss, smack-talk each other.

 

For me this will be my second cycling race, but first single day event. I will be racing in the Cat 5 35+ group, which I have discovered is a very strong group. The good thing is that it is only one day of racing so there is no reason to hold anything back. I am not the strongest of riders, but should hopefully be at 225-230 FTP and 3.1 w/kg by that time. I am hoping that this is enough to stay with the pack through the majority of the race.

 

The scary part of this race for me is the "dirt" sections. I just don't know what to expect. Just hoping I will have the bike handling skills not to dump it.

 

Well, that is a start. Next step is to get my butt outside on a few longer rides in the next few weeks. I don't want race day to be my first outside race or ride over 2 hours.

 

Let's here it folks!

Kitboo

In the latest Velonews, there is question to Leonard Zinn about what kind of wheels/tires to run at Tour of Battenkill. He said, "Go big." He suggested wide tubulars and/or tubeless clinchers and recommended all kinds of rims we could buy. Ha! All the tires he recommended were 25mm wide.Wider tires for a wider contact patch and better traction. For clinchers he recommended Continental Gatorskins and Schwalbe Ultremo DD for puncture resistance.

This race will be my first road race that's not a time trial. Going up this weekend for a recon ride.

pgiesin

Kitima: Do you know if this article is available online or just in print? I don't think I will be changing wheels, the Velocity Deep Vs will have to do. However, I may choice a different set of tires. I currently run the Michelin Race Pro 3's, but they are an awful pain in the a** to change. I have to think this race provides a better chance for flats so I need something easier.



I haven't really looked at the course but plan in using a compact and 27-11 for my gearing. I loose a little bit on the top end, but should hopefully have enough gears to do any of the climbing.

Kitima: Enjoy the preview ride. We will be waiting for a detailed writeup of the course. Video would be nice Have a great weekend!

Kitboo

Peter, I didn't see the article on-line. Leonard Zinn recommended all sorts of wider rims for tubular and tubeless---I figured none of us were going to buy a new set of wheels for just this one race. I thought about using my tubeless cyclocross tires, but then I would need to buy 2 new tires---for just one race. So I'm using my Ksyrium SL's with the 25mm Schwalbe's. If it's rainy, muddy, slick on race day will likely run lower tire pressure too---like 85-90 psi.

For gearing, I'm running a compact with 12-28 cassette. We should both be fine. I'll try to get some pics and video this weekend.

Kitboo

Peter, I didn't make it to the recon ride this weekend as I was kicked in the head with the flu this week. Looked at the course map and elevation profile on the website. Looks like we need to find some climbing legs in the next 3 weeks!

pgiesin

Kitima: Sorry to hear that, hope you feel better real soon. Leigh made it to the ride. We will have to get her to join the discussion and give us the low-down. She did say the hills were restless!!