Race Review: Battenkill 2011 Cat 3 Pink

This is not a race report. This is a review and an assessment of my experiences at the 2011 Tour of the Battenkill.

Before I proceed, I want you to think. Think about what you expect to read here. Got a picture? Considering the flame wars that have erupted on this blog in the past and my public disapproval of race organizer, Dieter Drake’s lack of tact and public relation skills I’m sure that you expect me to slam the ToB.

Let me be clear: I have always thought the course was great, I just never thought the race itself was a good value for the amount of money that the promoter charges for the event. I have always maintained that the promoter did not supply adequate race support given the conditions that the course throws at you and the price the promoter charges.

My assessment of 2011 is mixed.

Firstly, in my qualitative assessment, racer support in 2011 was improved since 2009 when I last competed in this race. The lower category races each had a “wheels in, wheels out” car that stayed behind the main group. I ride Campagnolo. When I gave my wheels to the driver of my field’s follow car, the driver asked me if they were Campy and then put them in a separate spot in the car, which was a nice, PRO touch. I didn’t flat. After the race when I went to retrieve my wheels from the pit, the rear wheel was missing. I changed and went back, still missing. I got some food, loitered and kibitzed and it was finally there over an hour later. Meh. Someone must have used my wheel. They were slow to return it, but that is on them, not the ToB promoter.

I have multiple friends (1,2,)who flatted in their respective races and got wheel changes quickly enough to get back into the group they were in before they had trouble. Gone were the streams of dejected riders walking wounded steeds for lack of support. In fact, I saw few people on the side of the road seeking wheels. In short, ToB’s organization has much improved their rider support, which was my main beef with the race.

Cost to awesomeness ratio. Also read: Cost to epicness ratio or Cost to fun ratio. The race is good. The course takes people apart in ways that few road courses do. It is not a pure climbing course, but you can’t do well unless you can climb. It is not as sketchy as it seems, but if you can’t handle a bike you start at a deficit. You constantly need to make decisions between remaining out of the wind or out of trouble. While there are climbs, the race finishes on a flat fast stretch that encourages tactical riding in the final kilometers. There are crashes to be avoided. Equipment choices and proper bike maintenance can make the difference between winning the race or walking many miles. In short, this race rewards strong, smart riders while throwing in an element of chance.

So is it worth a $75 entry fee? Honestly, I am not sure anymore.

I think that the Ronde de Rosey is a MUCH better value at SUGGESTED DONATION. Furthermore the donation goes directly to Bikes Not Bombs, which holds a warm place in my bitter, withered heart.

Next year: I’ll do the Ronde. Unless of course I think that I am going good enough to achieve a good result at Battenkill again (I am not actually that unhappy at 2.5 minutes down on the leader). Then I might go out and take another stab at it. Or I may start burning $20 bills and ride the Ronde instead.

"Race" Report: Marathon Route Foolishness 2011

I am the dude in the white.







We rode f'n hard. 26.2 miles in under 51 minutes. It hurt bad.

2 Green Line Velo riders (including Sam Rosenholtz) got a gap in the final 5 miles and we reeled them in with a brutally fast and dangerous chase down Commonwealth Ave in Brighton and continuing up Beacon right into the Back Bay. Rosenholtz tried to declare that he had "won" the "race" right before we caught him at Marlboro St.

We were having none of it. The brave railed it through the final 2 corners and stomped it to the real finish line. A GLV rider and I tied for first in a full on sprint on a cleared and partitioned Boylston St.

At the end of the video, you'll see me laughing at the guy who declares himself winner. He was the dude who tied me. Excerpted from the video is the earlier part of the conversation where we both say that the race was a tie between the two of us. That is why I am cackling.

Race Report: Tour of the Battenkill--2011--Cat 3-Pink

The joke's on you. The post is on the CB Blog. Here.

Battenkill Bike Set Up--2010

Most races require minimal bike prep. Usually a simple clean, tune and lube will suffice. But Battenkill is different. Racers have been geeking out about bike setup for Tour of the Battenkill since it was a reasonably priced event called Battenkill-Roubaix. Since over a third of the course is unpaved, durable equipment is in order. Tire selection is of paramount importance, since what little wheel support on offer is overtaxed from the starting gate. If you puncture, your race is over. Prudent riders bring spare tubes (plural) and CO2 cartridges (plural).

Normally, my equipment selections are closely guarded secrets, since I don't want to give my competitors any fancy ideas. As many of you know, almost all of my decent results were garnered partially on the back of canny equipment choices. Remember those muddy cross races I slayed?

But at this point (4 days from race day), I figure most riders are locked into what they have in hand. Furthermore, when Dieter Drake split the fields, he isolated me and my team with all New York teams. This is a local blog, so I doubt that any New Yorkers will be using my knowledge against me. Actually, I miswrote. We have one local guy in our field: Paul Curley. Paul doesn't need my advice on anything but off-the-bike pants selection...In short, there is no harm in my releasing my nuggets of wisdom.

My two biggest concerns are puncturing and durability of my wheels. I debated whether I should buy some 25mm or even 26-27mm tubulars and glue them onto one of my bombproof, yet lightweight aluminum cyclocross wheelsets. I passed on this option for a number of reasons. These tires would basically be glued, raced and removed until next year. It just didn't seem worth the cost and hassle.

I settled on running my Zipp 101's (great aluminum clincher) with 25 mm Michelin Pro3 Race tires.

I am vacillating between latex and regular butyl tubes. Latex tubes are lighter and have less rolling resistance, while I am used to butyl tubes and trust them because of familiarity.

I am confident in my wheel choice, as the 101 rim is slightly wider than standard rims. They are feel stiff and solid. These wheels are bombproof. Furthermore, these wheels are fast and aero.

As for tires, Michelins are always a good choice and the Pro3 Race is dependable but not durable. I am running a brand new pair. 25mm seems like the correct width for this event,as there is likely to be loose gravel, loose sand and maybe even mud. While 25mm tires will be slightly slower than standard 23 mm, if lend me added stablity in a loose section, they will be worth the Watt I gave up over rest of the race.

Computer, I am running one.



Normally, I don't bother with an odometer, as that data is often useless. At Battenkill it is very helpful to have the locations of the climbs and dirt sections memorized so that you know when you need to turn the screws.

Hoods: up.



While I didn't do anything special with my hoods, I have switched to Campagnolo Centaur with the new Campy shape since they have more material to prevent you from slipping off the end of the hoods. This is critical when road conditions deteriorate.

Chain: Greased. Instead of dry lube, I am using Chain L No. 9. This lube smells like an oil refinery and has the consistency of honey at room temperature. You heat it up and soak your chain. It lasts a month. You can ride in the rain every day for a month and your chain remains lubricated. Since I am praying for rain in upstate New York this weekend, I figured that my drivetrain had better ready to handle it in case Jens Voigt answers my prayers and brings his blustery wrath down on the race.

Bottle Cages: King Stainless steel cages. Simply put, King cages are the most dependable bottle cages made. Chris Igleheart puts these on every frame he makes. That was all the endorsement I needed. I won't be loosing any water bottles.

I hope that your preparations are going well. Unless you are from New York. If you are a new Yorker, I hope your rig falls apart. If you are Paul Curley, I hope that your bike stays together and that you and I get over the final climb in the front group and both of us refuse to work while the New Yorkers drag us to the podium.