manhattan beach grand prix july 1 weekend.

[smilingcat]

Should I or shouldn't I LOL...

Okay so I said no crit cause I can't afford another head crash period.

But so far, only 9 signed up for cat 3/4. total slots available is 110. How sad...

Sad too that my training hasn't really happened. So I'm a slow poke. But for 45 minutes maybe I won't be lapped. har!! har ha!!! 1.5mile laps.

And the darn thing is literally in my backyard!! I could do a warm up to the staging area.

I think I'll be a slug and just go and watch. :p

here's the course. http://mbgp.com/2004mbgp/course.htm

so how can there be team tactics with such a small field?? It's definitely a sprint finish :( breaking away just can't make it stick. The prevailing wind they talk about .... wait a minute. it doesn't pick up until about 11:00AM... I could go and ride this week and see what it feels like. The grade they are talking about isn't really 7% its more of whoopty do.

how about if I hang couple of red tail light on my back :lol: red lantern special....

Wishful thinking.
Smilingcat.

[smilingcat]

hmmmm.... only 21 signed up. gee whiz.

hope you don't mind me just talking to myself here.

To see how poorly I would fair at the crit, I went out on a training ride yeterday. profile of yesterday's ride mimic'd the crit course and I rode hard for 45 minutes and some. At end of 45 minutes I checked my computer.

distance was just over 15 miles with 800 some odd feet of climb. I don't think this is good enuf.

The other problem is that after each of 100 foot "whoopdy do" climb, it took me like two minutes to recover, again I'm gonna get blown away at the top of climb . the two minute window is where I can't repond if someone were to attack. (so no go joe!!)

I think I'm gonna go and just watch. still ohhh so tempting.

--------------------
the other thing I've noticed too is my diet.

I've been having chronic cramps in my legs, foot, toe... I think it was lack of potassium. I don't care much for bananna but I've been trying to eat food rich in potassium. so banana though not too keen on the texture, cantelope, potato... I haven't had any cramps on last 3 training rides. And probably need to up my salt intake too.

I JUST DON'T HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE IN ME!!! AND I'M JUST TOO PROUD TO BE LAPPED!!

there I said it, I feel better.
smilingcat

[Pedal Wench]

What's the harm with going and using the actual crit as a training tool? See if you can attack, practice technique, etc. It sounds like fun, and someone always has to come in last - might as well be you. If you have a teammate racing, work to give her the win.

[Ninabike]

Hi Smilingcat. I just saw your post and looked at the course. It's kinda in my backyard too (live in Westwood, but ride the Mdr to PV bike path. That shows the kind of riding I do!!) Anyway, I would sure like to do that ride. I have never raced at all and I don't even know the rules. I would be in the 55 to 60+ group. Also, I have done very little riding this year so am totally out of shape. Guess I'll just watch!!

[Ninabike]

Oops, just noticed the race times. I can't make it that early so I guess I have a good excuse. I hope you do it Smilingcat. Good Luck!!