Monday, October 26, 2009
Fuji Track Comp Shakedown
Yesterday we headed to the Mellowdrome in Asheville to put Amy's new Fuji Track Comp through it's paces. This was Amy's first chance to experience the fixed-gear bliss of being completely connected to the bike combined with the occassional terror of having no brakes and no coasting. The Track Comp is stock with basic track goodies: aluminum frame/carbon fork, 165mm house-branded cranks, 32-spoke Alex wheels, 48x17 gear.
Apple Festival 5k
On Saturday, October 17, we ran in the Apple Festival 5k in Taylorsville. Par for the course, it was unseasonably cold and wet. However, the rain managed to stay firmly anchored over Morganton, making conditions for the run simply cold and damp as opposed to cold, damp and raining. This Apple Festival course is a very interesting course through part of the residential area of downtown Taylorsville, consisting of lots of up and down over several streets. It has grown considerably, attracting twice the number of runners as last year. Unfortunately, with growth comes growing pains, and the event's scoring system was ill-equipped to deal with the number of runners. As a result, placings were either completely mixed-up (Amy), or lost altogether (Jim). Despite pledges by the Alexander County YMCA to improve on this for next year, it provided considerable frustration this year. Even after feedback was given, I am still not listed among finishers, nor do I know how I stacked up against my age group. I know I finished the same time as Amy (23 minutes, 55 seconds). At least Amy's time was officially recorded, although awards for her age group were fouled up, and Amy was listed as 4th place when she finished in 1st. Fortunately, her age group consisted of honorable women, and at the insistence of the runners, the appropriate placings were awarded, with Amy recognized as the winner of the Women's 30-34 age group. We believe she finished 4th overall among women, although the final results are invalid. Hopefully things will improve for next, as this is a neat course that provides a break from the flat, often uninteresting courses that can make up 5k races.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Greenville Cycling Extravaganza
We returned to Simpsonville, SC for our final race of the season: the Brookwood Church Criterium, part of the Greenville Cycling Extravaganza weekend. The course consisted of a 1k loop with a technical left turn-right turn section just before the uphill finish. Both of our events were 30 minutes plus two laps.
I set out with the Category 5 35+ field for the earlier of our two events in picture-perfect weather.
Beginning my uphill sprint coming out of the technical turn section. I actually led the field during the first lap, but paid for my insolence by striking my pedal on the pavement and almost taking out the field. Fortunately we all kept the rubber side down and no blood was shed.
Despite my improving fitness, the result was the same: off the back after a few laps. I did catch another casualty of the high pace of the field and we worked together for the remainder of the race, holding the field off from lapping us until the last lap. I have much work to do this winter.
The Women's Cat 4 race was... sparsely attended. Comprising 50% of the entire field, Amy set out from the start line with only one other competitor.
Sprinting out of the technical section, Amy was in her element on the long, sweeping uphill section toward the start-finish area.
The two-up race provided a strange experience for both spectators and the two participants. The two chatted early on and even traded prime laps with each other (free socks! 3 pair!) As the race progressed, the paced quickened as the two sized each other up and plotted strategy. Amy took a conservative approach, choosing to work together until the final stretch, when she attacked on the final climb and took the long sprint for the win, pictured above.
Amy's first crit victory capped off a great season. Time to rest up before starting training for 2010.
I set out with the Category 5 35+ field for the earlier of our two events in picture-perfect weather.
Beginning my uphill sprint coming out of the technical turn section. I actually led the field during the first lap, but paid for my insolence by striking my pedal on the pavement and almost taking out the field. Fortunately we all kept the rubber side down and no blood was shed.
Despite my improving fitness, the result was the same: off the back after a few laps. I did catch another casualty of the high pace of the field and we worked together for the remainder of the race, holding the field off from lapping us until the last lap. I have much work to do this winter.
The Women's Cat 4 race was... sparsely attended. Comprising 50% of the entire field, Amy set out from the start line with only one other competitor. 
Sprinting out of the technical section, Amy was in her element on the long, sweeping uphill section toward the start-finish area.
The two-up race provided a strange experience for both spectators and the two participants. The two chatted early on and even traded prime laps with each other (free socks! 3 pair!) As the race progressed, the paced quickened as the two sized each other up and plotted strategy. Amy took a conservative approach, choosing to work together until the final stretch, when she attacked on the final climb and took the long sprint for the win, pictured above.
Amy's first crit victory capped off a great season. Time to rest up before starting training for 2010.
Lowes TT Series Finale
This past Wednesday was the final event for the Lowes Time Trial Series. After five of six events, Amy was poised to win the women's 30-34 division series, and despite not being a series contender in the top-heavy fixed-gear division, I was looking to continue my trend of improving my time. After a summer of soggy weather, conditions were near-perfect, with temps in the low 70s and almost no wind, a rarity at the speedway.
I finished my last gallop of the year in 25 minutes, 32 seconds (23.49mph), a new PR and good for 5th in the fixed-gear division and equalling my best single-event placing for the year. I finished 7th out of 16 for the over series.
Still fatigued from her half-marathon effort on Saturday, Amy clocked a time of 26 minutes, 2 seconds at an average speed of 23.05 mph. Despite being 30 seconds off of her PR set last month, she still had her second-fastest time to date. More importantly, it was more than enough to secure first place in her division for the overall series, capping off a great year in which she lowered her time by over four minutes.
Starting just 30 seconds apart, we spent much of the race in close proximity. Good bud Will Turk got this cool pic of us on the front stretch.
The 2009 women's 30-34 Lowes Time Trial Series champion. 
The medal presentation in the speedway winner's circle.
I finished my last gallop of the year in 25 minutes, 32 seconds (23.49mph), a new PR and good for 5th in the fixed-gear division and equalling my best single-event placing for the year. I finished 7th out of 16 for the over series.
Still fatigued from her half-marathon effort on Saturday, Amy clocked a time of 26 minutes, 2 seconds at an average speed of 23.05 mph. Despite being 30 seconds off of her PR set last month, she still had her second-fastest time to date. More importantly, it was more than enough to secure first place in her division for the overall series, capping off a great year in which she lowered her time by over four minutes.
Starting just 30 seconds apart, we spent much of the race in close proximity. Good bud Will Turk got this cool pic of us on the front stretch.
The 2009 women's 30-34 Lowes Time Trial Series champion. The medal presentation in the speedway winner's circle.Speaking of our good friend Will, he posted some additional pictures and very entertaining video at his blog site. Please check it out here!
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