Colorado Cyclists Headed to 2018 Masters Track Cycling World Championships

2018 Masters Track Cycling World Championships will be hosted at the VELO Sports Center  in Carson, California October 6th through October 13th.  The indoor velodrome features a 250M track circumference, 7M track width and a max 45 degree inclination.  The eight days of events will include sprint, pursuit, time trial, scratch race, points race, team sprint, team pursuit and open.  

SPRINT:  The sprint race format involves two to four riders on the track at one time.  Riders typically start next to each other and strategize throughout the distance to best situate the final push to the finish line.  There are no lane boundaries between riders - only track boundaries of the area that the cyclists must stay above.

PURSUIT:  Two cyclists race beginning from stationary position on opposite sides of the track.  The event is 4K for MEN and 3K for WOMEN. The two riders start at the same time and set off to complete the race distance in the fastest time. They will ride on the pursuit line at the bottom of the track in order to find the fastest line. The two riders pursue each other attempting to catch the other rider who started on the other side of the track. If the catch is achieved, then the successful pursuer is declared the winner. The race can continue past the catch to establish a time for each rider.

TIME TRIAL: Individual cyclists compete against the clock to record the fastest time over the specified distance from a standing start.

SCRATCH RACE: All cyclists start together and the objective is to be the first over the finish line after a certain number of laps.

POINTS RACE: A mass start race involving large numbers of cyclists riding simultaneously over 40K MEN/25K WOMEN. A sprint is held every ten laps, with 5, 3, 2, and 1 point(s) awarded to the top four finishers in each sprint. The winner of the race is the one with the most points at the end of the race. Cyclists who lap the main field are awarded 20 extra points.

TEAM SPRINT:  The team sprint is a short distance (3 laps MEN/2 laps WOMEN) three person MEN/two person WOMEN team pursuit.  Teams start on the opposite side of the track. At the end of the first lap, the leading rider in each team drops out of the race by riding up the banking leaving the second rider to lead. The second rider then drops leaving the third rider to finish.

TEAM PURSUIT: Two teams with up to four people starting on opposite sides of the track following similar format as the individual pursuit.

practice Team Pursuit starts

Colorado will be well represented at the 2018 event sending more than twenty athletes who train at the Boulder Valley Velodrome in Erie and the USOTC Velodrome in Colorado Springs.  Athletes traveling to LA will be participating in both team and individual events. The athletes have participated in racing events throughout the season as well as the State Championships.  

The following Boulder Valley Velodrome Athletes will race:

Among the USOC Velodrome Athletes:

Rebecca Lawrence

Jim Lawrence

Eric Swaidner

Brian Abers

Jonathan Cavner

Interested in Track Cycling?  Both tracks offer track certification programs and encourage cyclists to give it a try.  Visit Boulder Valley Velodrome and USOTC Velodrome for additional information.

Reference:  Wikipedia.org

Time to Reflect

As the 2018 race season comes to a close, it is time to reflect upon all things training and racing.  Reflection defined means “serious thought or consideration.” Whether you are an age group athlete or a pro, a middle of the packer or you’re just happy to finish, reflection will provide great insight into the next steps of your journey.  

Designate a time on your calendar to sit down for 45 minutes and allow yourself time to reflect.  If you are like many athletes, you may need that appointment to be listed on your training plan to add the accountability.  Protect the time and deem it to be as important as any of the training segments that you completed. Take the 5/5/5 approach.  Focus your reflection on 5 celebrations, 5 challenges and 5 goals from your past year.

Celebrations.  If you are not a professional athlete and racing is not your livelihood, mostly likely you race for the fun and the challenge.  Did your celebrations involve crossing a specific finish, achieving a new personal record, traveling a new distance that used to seem out of reach, or a connecting with a new friend or community?  Did your celebrations support your why? Pat yourself on the back! You have achieved great things this year and you deserve to celebrate!

Challenges.  As an athlete, you know that things do not always go as planned.  I truly believe that the unexpecteds are the greatest contribution to our growth and development.  Reflect on your 5 biggest challenges that you faced throughout the year. Was it an injury, an equipment issue, time to train or life balance?  Were the challenges things that were in your control or things that you are unable to control? Are you able to make changes or adjustments going forward that will avoid these challenges in the future?  We all face bumps in the road. Did the bumps support or hinder your overall journey? Most importantly, did you learn from the challenge?

Goals.  After looking at your celebrations and challenges, what is next?  Do you want another shot to address and overcome one of the challenges?  Is there a bigger finish? Is there a greater why? The journey in racing is a continuous project.  Each step that you take training and racing is adding another brick to a foundation that will continue to grow as you continue to grow.   

Take time to share this reflection with your accountability team.  Whether you share with your spouse, your friend, your family or your coach, we cannot travel these journeys without some type of support.  Be vulnerable - share your challenges, fears and Big Hairy Audacious Goals! Build a support crew who will support you in achieving your goals and will also be able provide feedback when they see you stray off course.  Continue to reflect along the way. Evaluate if you are on track and if the decisions you make are supporting your overall why. Know that your why may change and know that the adjustments will cause growth whether expected or not.  Embrace the opportunities that the growth presents and “never ever give up!”

#OneDayOneStep

Buffalo Bike Classic Buff Epic 100

September 9, 2018

With bikes loaded and gear packed, we headed to Boulder on a cold, dark Sunday morning.  Ahead, 100 miles of cycling with the Buffalo Bicycle Classic.  In our usual fashion we opted with go big or don’t go and signed up for the 100 mile Epic to Estes ride.  In reviewing the course prior to our arrival we knew we had a decent amount of climbing ahead in the first 60ish miles followed by a familiar ride back to Boulder via Hygiene and Longmont.  

Pulling into Boulder, we checked in, made our last minute preparations and rolled up to the start.  We had received notice via email that our start was delayed until 7:15 but when 7:15 came there were only three of us remaining that were there to start the 100 mile adventure.  We quickly learned that most of the riders had started in the earlier waves as the volunteers were already moving to their next location before we arrived.  

After winding through Boulder we arrived on Canyon.  A left turn and the climbing began.  The canyon was cool.  The sun had not cleared the sides as of yet.  Perfect climbing conditions. As we progressed up the canyon, we started to catch up to other riders.  It was good to have others around and nice to have the ability to climb mostly side by side due to the closure of Canyon westbound.  Approximately 5 miles into the climb, we had an unexpected surprise/reward when a black bear crossed the canyon about 10 yards in front of us!  My immediate response was “holy sh*t - that’s a bear!” Followed seconds later by Mike saying “holy sh*t - that’s a bear!”  The bear came from our right side and crossed the road directly in front of us before disappearing into the shrubs on the left side.  I don’t think it even glanced our way but based on the fact that my highest heart rate of the day occurred right around this spot it could be because I was startled!

Reflecting on the bear - which according to Mike continued to get bigger as I talked about it throughout the day - took our minds off the climb for a bit.  I also reflected on college adventures in Boulder Canyon which is likely the last time that I had been up the canyon!  We eventually reached the peak of the climb just above Nederland and crossed the timing mat at 1:34:39.  We rolled into the aid station, refilled bottles with the help of an energetic young volunteer, grabbed a quick bite to eat and a restroom stop and were on our way again.  20 Miles down.  

The next segment of the ride took us across the Peak to Peak Highway.  I have heard many cyclists talk about riding Peak to Peak so I was excited for my maiden voyage.  This once again was a road I had driven before - definitely not recently - and also not as a cyclist.  I look at roads a lot differently now!  The sun was now out, crystal clear blue Colorado skies and the beginning colors of fall.  It was spectacular!  The climbs up typically provided a nice descend but what we quickly learned is when you go down you have to get back up to where you were!  Fast descends and slow climbs.  We settled into a group riding about the same pace as us and continued to make our way towards Ward.  We regrouped at the next aid station, enjoyed a pickle and some snacks and talked a bit with a volunteer about what was ahead and headed back out.  

The courses split at the Highway 7 intersection.  Left to Estes, Right to Lyons.  We definitely contemplated the right turn, but opted to continue left based on the information provided by the volunteer.  Turning left, we were on our own.  An occasional bike but it seemed that most people had opted for right.  We plugged on rewarded with spectacular views on a perfect fall Colorado day as we climbed to Allenpark and continued towards Estes Park.  With each summit we thought surely it is time to descend but the course provided additional challenge.  The final two miles into Estes were the much desired down hill we had been waiting for.  Even with freshly chip sealed roads we were able to speed along!

  

Arriving at the Estes aid station - mile 60, we were greeted by enthusiastic volunteers - peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Coke!  The bike mechanic provided some chain lube.  We rested, got the next segment of intel on the course from a volunteer - 2 mile climb out of Estes, 10 mile fast downhill, 1/2 mile climb, 12 mile descent.  We’ve got this!  The conversation with the volunteer was a huge help as he was spot on.  As we passed the mile marker we said “wow-he was spot on!”  We arrived into Lyons visited with the volunteers there to refill and headed out.  80 miles down, 20 miles to go.  

The next section was familiar territory overlapping segment from the Ironman Boulder and Ironman Boulder 70.3 courses.  With known expectations we pushed the pace some and enjoyed a fast spin through Hygiene and back into Boulder.  We stopped at the final aid station on 63rd only to be greeted by a familiar face volunteering.  We enjoyed a quick visit, a few photos and headed off for the last 7ish miles back into campus.  

The ride through Boulder was fast and we even had most lights to our advantage.  The last climb up Folsom and into campus reminded us that we had done a lot of climbing today!!  One last punch before crossing the finish.  A fist pump for the finish line photographer and we were done!!  100 miles complete!!  Looking to the west from campus we reflected on the fact that we had just ridden to the highest peak that we could see from here nestled in the back of the mountains.  Pretty rewarding!  

I am glad to say that I have checked some epic ride segments off of my list.  I am not sure if they are ones I would run out to repeat again or not but at this moment I can say they are done!    Until the next ride…