Angels Race VA : Official Thread

2013-03-02 12:12 PM

Veteran

350

Central VA

Subject: Angels Race VA : Official Thread

Ok time to get ready again for this spring classic. Sunday training rides have started up again. Leaving @3:00 from the transition area.

Hope to make it tomorrow depending on weather.

2013-03-26 7:15 PM

in reply to: #4643420

Veteran

350

Central VA

Subject: RE: Angels Race VA : Official Thread

Time is closing in. The cold weather this spring really has put a damper on my training so far. I've been at the gym pretty regular but haven't put a lot of time on the road yet. Hope the temp breaks and we have a nice day to race.

Did some R&D on my cold/cool weather riding gear today. Think I have a combination that will work. Going to test it out one day after work. It should give me a baseline with temps from 45/50 degrees. I'm a hope for best but prepare for the worst type of guy.

I may try an underarmor type shirt under my tri top to provide another thin layer. I don't think it will affect the swim.

Also thinking of swapping to my spd pedals with my mt bike shoes. My tri shoes are so open they might be too cold.

Have a three day weekend to try a few ideas.

2013-04-05 5:24 AM

in reply to: #4643420

Member

Subject: RE: Angels Race VA : Official Thread

Don't worry, it won't be horrible. Do you remember last year when it was about 48, overcast and threatening rain? I raced that in just a tri kit and was fine. It encourages you to go faster to keep warm.

I have been biking a ton, but haven't run in long time due to bruising my calcaneus. It will be my first run in two months, should be fun. I look forward to seeing everyone out there, it was a nice event last year.

2013-04-07 10:16 PM

in reply to: #4643420

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2013-04-08 5:06 AM

in reply to: #4690714

Veteran

350

Central VA

Subject: RE: road bike or tri bike?

I use my tri bike on all races. Either one will do but there are several "fast" sections that are suited to a tri bike.

That being said, last time I rode out on river road a guy on a steel frame single speed stomped me. I could just about keep up with him going out. Coming back I dropped him after the rr tracks. By the time we got back to 29, he took off like a rocket. It's all about the engine.

Have you pre-rode the route yet?

2013-04-08 6:15 AM

in reply to: #4643420

Member

Subject: RE: Angels Race VA : Official Thread

I don't have a Tri bike, so my answer is obvious, but I didn't feel like I was at a disadvantage on my steel road bike. In fact, I felt like I had an advantage going up the larger climbs. I would also say a lot depends on your definition of "hilly". I think of it as a pretty flat course with 3 or so hills, but I live in an area where we have to climb a lot. Regardless, with the weather it looks like we are going to get you will enjoy the ride no matter which bike you bring as it is a very scenic route.

2013-04-08 11:03 AM

in reply to: #4643420

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2013-04-08 6:04 PM

in reply to: #4691400

Veteran

350

Central VA

Subject: RE: road bike or tri bike?

Im a lot better climber this year than last. Still I'm a 230 ape on a bike so I have a lot of weight to carry uphill. Don't care how nice a bike you have you still cant escape gravity.

The trip out to the turnaround has two climbs. One long grade up to the RR tracks and another steeper one right past the tracks. The way back has two also. One short one up to 29 and another after the bridge up to town.

Last year I was running a standard crank and a 12-25 cassette. Swapped out to a 12-27 soon after. My knees were a wreck after last years race so every little bit helps.

Mike what gearing are you running? Lots of climbing in your area.

2013-04-09 6:09 AM

in reply to: #4643420

Member

Subject: RE: Angels Race VA : Official Thread

I run a 53/39 up front and a 11/28 in the back. I try to save the 28 for those long steep climbs. My previous bike was a triple, which made some climbs better, but I prefer the shifting of a double. I wouldn't use my gearing as a suggestion of what bike to bring to our area or Lynchburg. Many of my friends run compacts and similar rear cassettes.

On the subject of hills, I was following my friend on Strava, who is currently on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and went for a 39 mile ride and only climbed 39 feet. Conversely, on Sunday evening I did my "flat" time trial route which is just over 17 miles and had just under a 1000 feet of climbing.

If anyone ever wants to do a climbing loop up here, I would be happy to introduce them to the area. There is a 50% that I am going to do the Thunder Ridge Century in May if the date works.

Mike

2013-04-09 9:41 AM

in reply to: #4643420

Subject: RE: Angels Race VA : Official Thread

A few questions for the Angel Race veterans - they may cover this at the prerace briefing, but just in case I miss it:

1) do you know what time the awards ceremony is? If I do well, I'm trying to figure out how long I may have to stick around - the DW wants me home pronto if possible :\

2) any recommendations for parking where I could leave after the race/before the ceremonies if needed? Maybe court st?

3) Is 5th st/Amherst highway closed down for the race? I prerode the course and had to wait a few minutes for traffic - hope to avoid this race day!

4) Has stopping to wait at the RR crossing ever been a problem? If you get stopped, do they take that time back off?

Thanks for the input - looking forward to my first road tri in 4.5 years!

2013-04-09 5:42 PM

in reply to: #4692928

Veteran

350

Central VA

Subject: RE: Angels Race VA : Official Thread

Awards are around 12:00 give or take. My swim time last year was around 9:45 or so and I had plenty of folks behind me.

You don't want to park on any of streets they close for the race. Last year I parked in the lot at the light at main and commerce.

They close down one lane in each direction on 29 over the bridge and have police control at the intersections.

I don't know if they worked anything out with the railroad concerning stopping rail traffic but I think they made a comment at last years meeting that if a train crosses they they have race volunteers there to record your race time and they will adjust the times on how long you had to wait.

Mike, I've signed up for the 75 mile SOTR. Still don't know of I want to do that climb in the middle of a 75 miler though. I did the 45 mile ride last year.

2013-04-09 8:21 PM

in reply to: #4693903

Subject: RE: Angels Race VA : Official Thread

Thanks for the info!Highly recommend the 75 miler on SOTR by the way. Just find an easy gear and a good tempo and you'll make it up Thunder Ridge no prob. It's a 5% +/- grade, which actually isn't too steep. Just save some juice for the hills on Otterville Rd - those are shorter, but steeper

2013-04-13 4:55 AM

in reply to: #4694059

Veteran

350

Central VA

Subject: RE: Angels Race VA : Official Thread

Swim times are up on the website. I ended up number 70. Swimming at 8:21.

2013-04-13 7:01 AM

in reply to: #4643420

Member

Subject: RE: Angels Race VA : Official Thread

I am 223 and start at 9:18:45. I think this is either going to be a really fast race or lots of people over seeded their swim time. My memory from last year was that it wasn't a very fast race and I passed lots of people on the bike. See you there.

2013-04-13 5:42 PM

in reply to: #4698712

9	Subject: RE: Angels Race VA : Official Thread I'm 112 starting at 8:44:45. Good luck to you all - looks like a beautiful day tomorrow! My Race Log

2013-04-14 5:16 PM

in reply to: #4643420

Veteran

350

Central VA

Subject: RE: Angels Race VA : Official Thread

Good seeing you all today. You couldn't have asked for better weather. Perfect condions. Still waiting on Set Up to post times. The computer was down everytime I went over to look after the race.

Today's race was special for me. Fours years ago on this day my daughter was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. At this time in 2009, we were in an ambulance riding to the ICU at UVA Medical Center.

In 2013, We are all a lot healthier. We had to change our diet and lifestyle. I started running and biking to both get healthier and to deal with the stress.

Like the Groover family did. We are turning something bad in our lives into something good. We are helping to organize a 10k race in Lynchburg on May 27th. Proceeds from the race will be donated to the JDRF. Please help me spread the word about this race. We are looking for a great turn out.

If you know of any families dealing with T1D, we have also started a support group in Lynchburg. Please visit WWW.T1DE.ORG for more info.

RACE LINK : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Memorial-Day-10k-Run-2-Mile-Walk-for-...

Hope to see everyone back next year.

Next event, Storming of Thunder Ridge. Mike has already agreed to use a bungee cord to pull me up the first 12.5 miles of the climb.

Brian

2013-04-15 5:07 AM

in reply to: #4643420

Member

Subject: RE: Angels Race VA : Official Thread

Thanks for sharing this Brian and congratulations on making the podium! I wish you luck with your 10K and I will spread the word. I already have plans or I would come down and run it. Hope to see you at Storming Thunder Ridge.

2013-04-15 5:11 AM

in reply to: #4643420

Member

Subject: RE: Angels Race VA : Official Thread

@NCWILDH20 Nice race! It looks like you felt great out there.

2013-04-15 5:17 AM

in reply to: #4643420

Member

Subject: RE: Angels Race VA : Official Thread

@CiderHigh Well, what did you think? Was it a hilly course or was it okay to have a tri bike? I saw a ton of nice tri bikes, but many people were just sitting on their bull horns and not in the aero position. I don't know if this was because of the rolling nature of the course or people who just aren't used to their bikes yet. I didn't feel I was at a significant disadvantage in a road bike as I was constantly change between 3 gears. Hope you had a good race!

2013-04-15 7:39 AM

in reply to: #4700178

Subject: RE: Angels Race VA : Official Thread

Thanks Mike - looks like you got a podium slot too - way to go! I think a good amount of hill training really helps on this course for sure.I was able to meet Brian before the swim start, but forgot your number and missed you. I'll be at SOTR doing the 100 miler in a month, and can try to say hi then!

Hope everyone enjoyed the race!