Windy day at S.G. brings out the best in everyone....
A big ol North wind greeted everyone for the ride tonight. Somehow it made things a little more interesting then usual. It wasn't the largest crowd, not more than 35 riders. Right from the get-go, a small group pushed off the front. Koski, Bob German, Weaver (?), Suto, Chris C and a couple of others. Guido then jumped up to the group and that started the chasing behind. Meanwhile the ride is less then a mile from Route 10 and blasting into the headwind, so there was plently of guys seeking refuge wherever possible. Eric M made the jump and that really whipped everyone into shape. Alas, a corner with some traffic slowed the front group and brought it all together for the ride to Mountain road. A new guy in a Verizon vest would hit the front a couple of times and pick up the pace. There was also a new guy in all black ( Cervelo? ), a new guy in a CVC kit and the great Peter Petrillo as well. So between the new faces and the wind, the ride wasn't routine.
The Mountain rd section was a steady pace with a good group of guys pushing the pace. Eric M looked antsy a couple of times and surged off the front. Ratta, Tim, was also up there turning the screws. Chris C rode into a gap with Thomaas B and a couple of others toward the end of Mountain road but the light was red.
The pace slowed down on Moss Farms as the front of the pack grew weary of the wind. Same thing for the chicane and the rizer up to Marion. Guido once again pushed the pace there and towed along a group of 5 or 6. Chris C, Jacinto, the Frenzilli Monster, Hunter P, and the Verizon dude all were up there but no one followed thru after the corner it all got rounded up for the ride into the industrial park. Chris C was active up front all the way down Knotter and rolled off the front with a couple of New Haven guys and the Verizon dude. After a little game of "Who's on first" at the front of the peleton, Dillon P and Peter K took matters into their own hands. They charged off the front, chasing down the group in time for the corner of West Johnson, doing a good job of setting up teammates, Rattatatat and Hunter P for the sprint. The Verizon dude kept up the attack after the corner and was waitin for no one! Hunter P rode up and thru the group but got stuck in the middle of the growing gap to the lone leader and the field behind, now led by Guido at a respectable pace. Verizon dude started to slow and was sliding back to the group with about 100 meters to the corner of Rienhard. Rattatatat and MaHoney were now leading everyone up and thru the corner and into the base of the climb. Ratta started the sprint but was no doubt gassed from setting the strong tempo. Eric M, Little T and Peter P were the ones to jump, and it quickly turned into a 2 horse race with Peter P getting gapped with 100 meters to go. Little T had the position battle and was able to come over Eric M, but needed pretty much the whole drag to do it. On the backside, Guido kept the pace up and rounded up everyone before the turn onto Peck Lane.
The tailwind was Peck was epic and it was easy for the group to charge up the false flat there at almost 30 mph. Verizon dude wasn't satisfied with that crap and attacked. Chris C, Jacinto, Eric M, Hunter P and a couple of others were up to the challenge and went with him. The tailwind made sure no one was cracking tho and it was back to all together as everyone went over the old train tracks. The tailwind kept up the pace once back onto Route 10 and it all stayed together for the run-in to the Stop n Shop sprint. There was a couple of guys up there driving the train for the sprint, Koski, Weaver, CxC (?) and a couple of others. Ratta jumped from about 3rd wheel and took along Eric M. It was another good sprint, with Tim able to stay out in front of Eric just barely.
Everyone was keyed up on the tailwind heading in thru Cheshire and it was full on ( cars or no cars!) the whole way back to Hamden. A couple of guys had a go at the front with attacks. Dillon P and Ratta most notably with 750 meters to go. Eric M, Bob, Jacinto, Chris C and Guido covered it and went thru to the end, with Little T slugging it out with Eric for the final push. For the hill finish, there was only a couple of guys that went up Shepard. No one wants to finish with a true climb apparently.
45 comments:
"Eric M, Little T and Peter P were the ones to jump, and it quickly turned into a 2 horse race with Peter P getting gapped with 100 meters to go."
In the interest of maintaining the rep of the Great Peter P - it was I who got gaped w/ 100 meters to go ..
CxC is the new guy in the CVC kit.
We should make the finish sprint the top of Shepard until we switch over to the long loop.
There would still be a big fight for position down r10, drag racers like Guido could still string things out, and there would be a bigger incentive to attack the front of the ride (which is currently a dumb move for anyone interested in contesting the "Win")
as anyone out of the top ten at the right hand turn would be in bad shape
Traditions die hard- but monuments and the biggest races of the year are always changing. shouldn't the Tuesday night world championships do the same?
We could return to business as usual when the long loop strikes back.
mahoney
Mahoney's on point!
The sit sprint is nice and all, but it gets old and i'ts hard to look forward to a whole summer of that as the end to the ride.
Allow out of the saddle sprinting to a line before Shepard or head up the climb I say.
What's CxC's actual birth name?
We have finished there in the past. As you guys are new on the ride, it was deemed to be to dangerous by the powers that be. With the finish there we had guys taking big chances taking the turn wide, into traffic, and some people would go straight and the S&S guys stopping it just becomes a mess I would drop that thought.
THX-1138
His real name is :
Ima Nerrd
Phil McCrevice
Yea the corner may become a little dangerous if everyone is charging into it. Especially with the bike trail right there. Anyone who wants to go up Shepard for now should assume that there will be at least a couple of guys doing likewise, but care should be exercised, because we will be in the minority.
And Ron, in the past the full-on sprint on Route 10 was alwasy up the road a little wasnt it? Just past Wentworths were the road narrows and there is a slight overpass over wetlands. I think if it was moved back to before Shepard, the road is still quite wide and i am guessing it wouldnt be as dangerous as everyone assumes.
Mike Oxwelling is his name!
anyone who doesn't think the ride is plenty dangerous already is fooling themselves. there are inescapable risks associated with riding a bicycle. we don't want to do anything stupid, but at the end of the day risk aversion is a personal thing: im fine with a slightly higher risk for a slightly higher chance at some Tuesday night glory.
mahoney
It might be fine with you Chris, but I for one would not like to see tactical games at the end of this ride.
In the past we would put emphasis on the notion that the finish is NOT a finish sprint and there should be NO "WIN". I tend to see it as a final hard effort to empty the tank, hence the high pace at the end. Everyone gives everything, no matter what position. It strings out everything, and there are not 30 guys bunching up for "the win". It's very save this way. We usually sit up way before the intersection. And like Hunter said, those that usually battle uphill around the corner will still do so safely. And yes, they too get their glory points on the blog...
If there is concern that the ride might be too boring and more excitement and glory points on the blog are sought, unfulfilled riders should come to the front more often, and not just at the finish.
When others rest, ride hard,
when others ride hard, ride harder!
If you change the finish line and call it a place for a "win" chances are near 100% you would still read the same names there anyway - if they cared.
However, if the sprinters would like another line for practice to look forward on the long loop, how about the I84 overpass on Marion before Rt 322 light? Seems to be a safe section, safer than the chicane anyway.
I'm happy we have this ride and wish everyone on the ride a safe and rewarding TWC season.
G
His real name is "Haywood Jablome"
What the G man said.
SS
To get the full effect, you ned to read Guido's post in a German Accent.
"Youuuu must rrriiide harrrderrr"
Chris C.
Ron,
How are you feeling???
Chris C.
Like shit Crowell I had two STROKES in a week dude what do you think!!!!
Just pulling your chain Crowell I'm doing good thanks.
Guidos idea may be a safer alternative, but im still riding my guts out on rt 10 AND shepard
Mahoney
Mahoney,
Ride harder throughout the whole entire ride. Save your "win" for sanctioned races. If you want to sprint, there are two other safer places on the ride where that happens, and I don't recall seeing you with the fast guys during them. I agree with Guido. The Shepard ave area is a last surge that has been hashed out between the same 6 or so guys in the last 200 meters, for most of the winter/spring. You want glory? Beat Guido in a seated drag race and we can all pat you on the back.
E.
To what Guido suggested, I dont think we need another sprint point in the ride. It's not about getting in more sprinting. It's about using the effort in a productive way. I think going up shepard is just a better way to train for racing then sitting in and timing an all out surge in the saddle. There's some guys who want to train for hilly racing and then there's some who want to go really fast down Route 10. There's no reason why there can't be the 2 distinct ends of the ride.
But, allowing true sprinting to Shepard would make it more race like. But I get the sense that most don't want to set that precedent.
I think it's a physical impossibility for mahoney to beat guido in that drag race. At least not with out some different gears for chris
Different gears driven by a cancellara bike motor, or maybe just a moped.
E.
The ride is fine the way it is. Get a workout before Sheppard by getting your nose on the front!!
Guido is correct! He sure is one smart Doc.
Someone sounds a Little scared of a hill
I trust ron and guido more than myself concerning anything with two wheels.
As for the drag race, we will know just how bad guido beats me for sure after the easrock tt.
Mahoney
G Money,
Are you on crack?
Hey guys,
Judging by the amount of deleted comments, it looks like everyone is having fun on the Tuesday ride. If you want a change of pace, you're invited to Zanes on Saturday at 8:30am for a road ride with Gary Fisher.
Guido is so richtig!
Ever notice that the guys who "win" on the TWC/CWC "race" are the ones that don't know how to win in the actual races? And vice versa? There are consistent podium finishers at the actual races that use the SG ride for TRAINING. What a novel concept.
Guido wins races dum dum.
oh shut up you pussy faces!!!!
Love, your old granny
When do you think you'll be going off at 6? can't wait to join the fun.
The ride IS leaving at 6. Last week was 6, this week is 6. Come join the craziness.
Cervelo kit - skinny smaller rider? Asian?
Um, maybe? Didnt get a good look.
While we have Aki on the line, let's give him a big Sleeping Giant thank you for running the Bethel Series. Thanks Aki!
The Cervelo rider was on the slighter side yes.
For those new to the ride, where exactly are the 'sprints'?
Awesome, thank you.
were not going to let a bit of water keep us off our bicycles, right boys?
No Hablo Pwase?
How dare you ask such questoins you cowardly Anon A-hole
In Ron's absence, we should all be riding tonight if it is raining. You know he would be out there.
Chris C.
Thanks for deleting my previous post, I guess Mahoney and the guys at Cheshire Cycling have taken to censorship.
This together with poor riding ediquette surely shows your immaturity...
I'm sure this will be deleted.
Post a Comment