[ed: Here's another article by BJ Basham, part of the series called "Coach's Tips for... ", in which BJ will give you all the inside track on how to race a specific event. BJ knows all these races, and he probably also knows most of the racers hellbent on beating you at them. If you like BJ's contributions, let him know in the Comments section below. You can even ask him questions in the comments, which he'll answer there as well.
Note: This article was first published in 2007 and is
re-published here for new readers, new racers, and those of us who
forgot a little something since this time last year.]

Coach's Tips for... BikeJam / Kelly Cup
by BJ Basham
USA Cycling Level II Certified Coach
Big race for the DC Baltimore area. Pro teams are here for the NRC points and everyone else is there for the festival and fast fast racing.
The course:
The course for Bike Jam is a big circle
with only 2 real turns. The first is just after the start finish after
you go around a traffic circle; you make a 90 degree right hander which
is very basic since the speed is not super high. From this right hander
you go into a downhill sweeping section that is likely the fastest part
of the course. Pay attention here. Gaps can open up and at high speeds,
closing gaps is not any easier and may actually be harder than when you
are going slower. The downhill leads to a flat-ish section past the
second wheel pit and leading into the second turn. This second corner
has had a few configurations. The last couple of years, it consisted of
a hard right followed immediately by a hard left that led to the
finishing stretch. The finishing stretch is a long curve that is not
flat at all so you will need to be working to get up to the
start/finish area.
The Race:
Get to the start early. There is limited
access to the course so if you are late, you will likely end up at the
back. Depending on how big your field is, this could be really bad. At
the gun the field will funnel into the first traffic circle and loop
around to the right. This will bunch things up going into the first
turn. The riders at the front will be rolling through without braking
while the back markers will be waiting their turn. After the turn is
the downhill fast section. The best strategy if you are not near the
front is to just pass as many people as you can. Don't rely on someone
else to keep you in the race. The sooner you can get up toward the
front the better. The reason for this is simple. At the front, the
riders are taking the turns without braking and then carrying their
speed down the hill and onto the flat section where they can draft
along without really working. If you are near the back, you are braking
and re-accelerating out of the turns, pedaling to catch up on the
downhill and then chasing to get back on on the flat section. This
leads to the final turn. This turn was hard to take when I was driving
the lead car a couple of years ago. It is fast and sharp and the field
will be 2 -3 across at most so again the back will be braking while the
front is accelerating.
Race Prep:
Get in a good warm-up and be ready to go
from the gun. If you are at the front, you will need to keep your race
face on the whole time to defend and preserve your position. If you are
further back, you will be working hard all day. Ride the course before
you start your warm-up so you know what to expect, and even if you have
done this race before, you want to check out any new potholes that
might have sprouted.
Crashes:
I hate to talk about this, but it is a
fact of life for the BikeJam course. Last year there were crashes in
every race I think. The reason for this is usually rider error. The
course is fast so that means you have to be thinking 2 - 3 seconds up
the road, not 2 or 3 feet. Keep your head up and be smart. There is no
reason for crazy moves or zig zagging around the road. It is better to
have the stronger riders win than it is to allow a crash to determine
the results. Keep in mind that you need to get up and go to work on
Monday (or Tuesday for many of you) and there are very few prize lists
that are worth a trip to the emergency room. Too often adrenaline and
excitement will make perfectly sane people become hyper competitive for
even the minor placing in a race. Keep things safe and in perspective
and you will have a great day no matter what the results.
--
BJ Basham is a USA Cycling Level II Certified Coach with Peaks
Coaching Group. He lives in Fairfax, VA and competes in most of the
same races you do. To learn more about his coaching practice and
philosophy, visit his website at PowerTrainingCoach.com.
Good read.
Posted by: Brian B. | May 21, 2008 at 03:02 PM