Apr 02 2008
How not to race POC
I’ve been following the sprinting thread on the OBRA list over the past few days. It was arguably a carbon copy of the discussion that went on last year (which I started, I’m proud to say).
First, I like POC. It’s a smart man’s PIR where the narrow roads force you to think pretty far down the road. As far as the course itself goes, it’s exactly as advertised – flat.
However Cat 4’s and 5’s are frequently described as anything but smart.
I raced POC in ‘06 and ‘07. In ‘06 I learned that sitting in doesn’t get you anywhere. I checked my HR throughout the race and found it barely cracked 150 and creeped up into the 160’s when I took a couple turns at the front. I also learned that it was necessary to start moving up front on the last lap as we turned north on Dike Rd.
In ‘07 I decided that if you didn’t do something, POC could just as well be an organized 2 hour training ride. In the middle of the 1st (of 2) laps, I decided to make a break for a bit to warm up and raise the HR. Someone came with me and I suggested we take 30 sec. pulls to stay away. I knew the break wouldn’t last but it would be nice to stretch it out.
A couple minutes into it, we round the corner by the finish line and he takes off in a sprint. I’m guessing that he thought this was the only lap we’d do. Anyway, I kept my steady pace and let him go. He crosses the finish and sits up. I pass him and say “One more lap, big guy” and keep going. Like I said, no one ever said Cat 5’s were smart.
So I’m on my own for 5 minutes. Then 10 minutes. And then 15 minutes as I head south on Dike Road. The pack is probably 200 m back and I finally let up. I don’t have the gas to stay away another 12 miles so the pack catches up.
I stayed in the front 10 or so until Dike Road turned east at the bottom of the figure 8 course. I then made a mistake of drifting back to the middle of the pack to save energy. I think most of the Portland Velo team made a move up towards the front. Thinking I had plenty of time to move up, I stayed put.
As we rounded Kuhnis Rd to Whalen, the pack started to lock up pretty tight. I was maybe 5-6 rows back. The pack started grumbling but nobody made a move. About 100 m before the last corner, the pace picked up and a few lanes opened up. I was at maybe 95% at that point. The front couple rows had already started their sprint and were still about 20-30 m ahead. There’s no way I could make up that ground. Sprinting for 15th place seemed a little silly so I backed off.
So what’s the verdict on this approach? I still think making a break was good. Plus it was kind of fun. Obviously not staying up near the front wasn’t wise but what experience do I have to draw from that would have told me different?
I guess if you’re going to commit to contend for the sprint, get your shit together on Dike Road as you’re heading south. Yes, it’s about 6-8 miles out but better a little too early than too late. Who knows, with people moving into and holding position that far out, a race might actually break out.