Ride Report Fontana Race #4 2/23/08-2/24/08

2wheel_lee said:
Yeah, everything Allison said.

For my first DH race, I raced beginner, because I had never even been to mountain bike race. It wasn't a good fit. So I moved to expert. I still think I won a bit too easily (considering that I had next to no training, and I knew that I was in poor shape). For the next DH race, I went to vet pro, where I simply got a mid-pack finish. And considering my time would have still won the expert class, I probably found where I belong.

So for 4X, knowing that I'm not a beginner level rider, I chose sport for my first race. But for the first couple races, because I was faster than only three other people doesn't make me an expert in that discipline. On top of that, I've watched the experts, and they're in another realm that I can't even compete with, and realistically, I'm not going to get any better or any faster than I am now (despite learning a lot in the last two races). As a result, I stayed in the class for the remainder of this series where I think I belong. I'd also like to earn a jersey. ;) And with some of the new talent that's showing up in the sport class, I have to give it all I have - and a bit more just to stay on top. But even having said that, I think that my time winning in the class is coming to an end. Those guys are young and fast, and very aggressive, so it's a good thing this series is almost over.
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I'd been off the bike for months, so I thought I'd gauge my lack of fitness and rusting race skills in sport. But then Lee showed up. :D Thanks, Lee.

And to think-my season hasn't even started yet and with Rabbits like Lee and Ricky, though I haven't raced Ricky yet, to chase I'm looking for a few poduims this national season!

It would be better if these things were done in age groups though.

Next year, if Donny and crew will let me, I'll race semi-pro/pro catagory. :bang:Who's with me?
 
Saturday practice pics

DH practice:
http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/ii309/dirthippie2008/DH%20practice%202-23-08/
DHrace2-24-08026.jpg

Gil-Caz
DHrace2-24-08061.jpg

Tyler Wilson
DHrace2-24-08040.jpg

DHrace2-24-08071.jpg

Should have 4x and Super D up soon...
 
2wheel_lee said:
Not me!
That's very ambitious! :bang:
But you may want to win a sport or expert class race before moving up to semi-pro/pro. Or at least qualify for a final in sport. :-k
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That would be a consideration:lol: however, where I am now is not where I'll be in a year from now. If I am, then I may have to reconsider this racing and riding thing.

I'll have a year of US nationals under me in both BMX and 4X/DS and besides-how many times in your life will you get to gate with Houseman, Carter, Holmes, Evil, or the Brodie guys?

Too cool.

And the things you'd learn! WOOO!

I'm in.
 
davidB said:
you ran a 39 min lap right?


I came into this thread to ask this question anyway, so it's not directed at anyone specifically, but what's the magical time to beat before someone in beginner considers moving up a class? Obviously if you're winning by 10 minutes or so, the term "beginner" may not suit you, as I don't think it suits many already competing in that category.

i get the whole "i can't do another at race pace" argument as well but cmon i would hate to be in that 35-44 class racing other beginners.
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For Fontana, the rule of thumb is, once you win the overall for your category, you move up. Everyone should have a chance at the overall winner's jersey. I was in the same predictament the 1st year I raced beginner. If you move classes mid-season, I don't believe that the points go with you, so you would lose out towards the overall title. And of course, the winner's jersey awarded at the end of the year not only includes the Winter Series, but all of the other races at Fontana throughout the year (NMBS, Cal State and the Annual November race).
 
denmother said:
For Fontana, the rule of thumb is, once you win the overall for your category, you move up. Everyone should have a chance at the overall winner's jersey. I was in the same predictament the 1st year I raced beginner. If you move classes mid-season, I don't believe that the points go with you, so you would lose out towards the overall title. And of course, the winner's jersey awarded at the end of the year not only includes the Winter Series, but all of the other races at Fontana throughout the year (NMBS, Cal State and the Annual November race).
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that makes sense. Series wise my class is quite fun with 3 of us in it competively, but 2 of us just can't seem to catch that 3rd guy who always wins by a minute or two.

for the winner's jersey thing, that's ALL the points combined right? they don't throw out 1 correct? that's just for the winter series right? thinking about that in my head now it doesn't seem like they would.

If I counted correctly, there should be 5 more xc races out there this year
 
davidB said:
that makes sense. Series wise my class is quite fun with 3 of us in it competively, but 2 of us just can't seem to catch that 3rd guy who always wins by a minute or two.

for the winner's jersey thing, that's ALL the points combined right? they don't throw out 1 correct? that's just for the winter series right? thinking about that in my head now it doesn't seem like they would.

If I counted correctly, there should be 5 more xc races out there this year
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Do they have XC for the Golden State races? I have no idea.

Winter Series is one throwout. Not sure if they do that with the overall annual jersey. But, the more you show up and race, the more points you accumulate! Justin wound up with a 2nd place trophy for XC I think.
 
Cal State races? No XC, AFAIK.

allison said:
Do they have XC for the Golden State races? I have no idea.

Winter Series is one throwout. Not sure if they do that with the overall annual jersey. But, the more you show up and race, the more points you accumulate! Justin wound up with a 2nd place trophy for XC I think.
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on southridgeusa it says there's 4 races for the Golden State stuff, 2 of which say "No XC" next to them

as for overall throughout the year, just show up to more races than anyone else and podium? I can do that! :lol:
 
Great photos Sharky! you must teach me how its done.. Most of my photos came out so terrible I decided not to post them. :lol:

I'll be at Fontana this Friday so maybe we can practice some shoots!
 
Awesome pics everyone it's like I was there!

Thanks to David for asking the magical question. I've been trying to figure out if I just plain suck at racing or whether the guys in my class (Beginner 35-44) are just right on the verge of being too good and moving up. I've really had to redefine my idea of beginner though. I have to say though that everyone is really cool and there are no 'attitudes' or anything like that. I'm looking forward to getting out there and racing in March and then settling in to work on the whole racing thing for next winter. This whole series has given me a great experience and cool starting point to build on.

I can hardly wait to ride well enough to stand on the podium (or even the dirt next to the podium!) :beer:
 
Jman said:
Awesome pics everyone it's like I was there!

Thanks to David for asking the magical question. I've been trying to figure out if I just plain suck at racing or whether the guys in my class (Beginner 35-44) are just right on the verge of being too good and moving up. I've really had to redefine my idea of beginner though. I have to say though that everyone is really cool and there are no 'attitudes' or anything like that. I'm looking forward to getting out there and racing in March and then settling in to work on the whole racing thing for next winter. This whole series has given me a great experience and cool starting point to build on.

I can hardly wait to ride well enough to stand on the podium (or even the dirt next to the podium!) :beer:
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JMAN-you rock, bro. :bang:

And you're right-it's been a great experience. I've met some really awesome people here. :beer:
 
allison said:
I think it's subjective. If you are curious about SRC in general, I'd email Donny and ask if there are any rules.

Personally, I wouldn't want to beat everyone in my class by 20 minutes, but others maybe don't mind. And also people want the series points, or the end of the year jersey.

If someone won the first race by 10 minutes, I'm surprised they didn't automatically bump up to sport and just use that as their throw-out.

But, some might say that I'm winning Women's Sport every week and should bump up to Expert. But, it'd take me probably 2:30:xx to do 3 laps. Nothing wrong with that, but I can't hang in Expert, even if there is no consistent competition. But, I want to finish out the series and would like to get the overall jersey in November. I'll still have to work hard every race for that, as I do have some serious competition each and every week.

USAC has actual rules about moving up in category where if you podium in a certain number of races you *have* to move up.
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I guess everybody has a different opinion about it. I find it more satisfying to be challenged and beaten in a higher category than to win in a lower one. The struggle for me is not to get a winner's jersey but to not get kicked out of whatever category I am trying to race in. So far, I am doing a pretty bad job. :lol:
 
sauce said:
I guess everybody has a different opinion about it. I find it more satisfying to be challenged and beaten in a higher category than to win in a lower one. The struggle for me is not to get a winner's jersey but to not get kicked out of whatever category I am trying to race in. So far, I am doing a pretty bad job. :lol:
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My goal is to NOT crash, but that hasn't worked out for me so well.
 
But you both look great doing it.
I stepped up my crashing to a new level. I ate it good last race.
 

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