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: 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.

Email Exchange Between Battenkill and RMM Subject: TOUR OF THE BATTENKILL PRO/AM

Below is the text of an email exchange between me and the Battenkill Registration staff that started about 12 hours after I registered for the cat 3 race. The exchange took place over a 4-6 hour period. It appears that I have more than one interloculator based on textual cues such as terseness of language and lack of punctuation in some of the emails, while others are well composed and grammaticality correct. Originally, I hadn't planned on posting this exchange online, but a few of my friends expressed interest in seeing it, so here it is.

Battenkill Registration:

We are surprised.


R. Michael McKittrick to Battenkill:

I hope that I am pleasantly surprised by an increased level of racer support. If I am, I will note it on the internet.

Battenkill:

Mr. McKittrick,

To be honest, we are very confused and a little suspicious of you registering, especially after your comments here and here. We would be pleasantly happy to give you a refund right now if you are in any way unhappy with the race staff, participant support, or the organization of the event.

We also don't have a record of you being a registrant in 2010. We think you would have been pleasantly surprised,then, at the level of racer support; wheel support (3 cars for many fields) and 5 Mavic pits on the course and at the starting line. There is no other race in the US that provides this level of racer support.

That said, if you decide to decline a refund, I hope you race well and enjoy the event in April.

Amy
Registrar
Tour of the Battenkill
www.tourofthebattenkill.com


RMM:

Suspicious? Are you kidding? Put on a good event and I will say good things. If your rider support is inadequate, I will say so too. Honestly, I would just prefer that your event goes well, so that I could enjoy it.

It is offensive that you suggest that I accept a refund for an event that I registered for less than 24 hours ago.




Battenkill:

We think you'll agree that your comments online are much more offensive and defamatory toward our event. Our suspicion remains and we reserve the right to offer a refund to anyone who we think could present a threat to the safe operation of the event.

Be well,


Amy
Registrar
Tour of the Battenkill
www.tourofthebattenkill.com


RMM:

Are you accusing me of being "unsafe" for your event because I have commented that your event may not represent a good value? Seriously?




Battenkill:

Calling the promoter an "A _ _ ho _ _" in public makes us very suspicious of that, yes. [please note that midway through this exchange, I called Dieter Drake an "asshole" twitter]

-
RMM:

Um...name calling is a far cry from a threat. I have no ax to grind. I just want to race my bicycle.


Battenkill:


then shut up and ride it.


RMM:


You should concentrate on running your event. I'll concentrate on training.

Need I remind you that YOU started this conversation?

Sh-- Happens--Thoughts on Crashing

The unspoken truth is that we all crash eventually. Some of us more often than others. If you race for long enough, dumb luck is going to run out and the odds are going to get you.
Sometimes it is entirely your own fault, as when we overcook the final corner in the last lap of the local criterium. Other times it is clearly someone else’s fault, like when that idiot overcooked the final corner of the criterium and crashed out half the field.

Even more complicated is when you are crossing wheels and the sketchy rider in front of you swerves into your overlapping wheel thereby taking you out. Sure, dude shouldn’t be squirrely in the pack, but neither should you be crossing wheels, especially with the guy with the black, baggy, possible-non-bib-shorts, the unshaven legs, and the oversized non team issue jersey. Most crashes fall into this category--indeterminate blame.

A couple of recent events have brought me around to my current reflections. Firstly, my good friend and fellow competitive cyclist, Colin H. Murphy sustained some serious injuries during the Tour of the Battenkill. Reports indicate that Colin was in the lead group of the cat 2 field and riding well. The rider who’s wheel Colin was on apparently hit something in the dirt road and swiftly took out Colin’s wheel. Knowing Colin, even if the rider in question was clearly at fault, Colin is likely not harboring a grudge.



I mention Colin to illustrate how quickly our sport can deal you a crappy hand. One minute you are in position to get a great result in a prestigious event and the next you are being hauled off in a meat wagon and kept in the hospital for an extended stay. Colin: get well soon.

Secondly, a few weeks ago at the Wells Ave training criterium, there was a horrendous crash in the last lap of the A race. There was a 10ish man break up the road and the field was winding up for a sprint. I was near the front, sitting in about 3rd or 4th position glued to Kyle R. Smith’s trusty, fast and steady wheel with about 400 meters to go. We were in the inside lane in the middle of the long steady final corner.

Adam Myerson, came by me and was overtaking Kyle. Adam was not yet sprinting, but he was getting into position. As Adam passed Kyle, Kyle and another rider (I believe Corner Cycles) both moved to get on Adam’s wheel, as Myerson was the fastest sprinter in the pack. Kyle and the other rider collided. It should have been a simple shoulder bump, but the other rider lost control and crashed (the pavement is not great, which easily could have contributed to the loss of control). Kyle remained upright and unflustered.

Since Corner Cycles was in an inside lane and near the front of the pack, he took out about a dozen riders. In the end, 4 riders left the race in ambulances and 2 on backboards. According to hearsay, all of the crash victims seem to be healing.

While this crash was unremarkable, it set of a round of accusations. Over social media, Adam Myerson was blamed for the crash.

Obviously the crash was even more ridiculous when you consider that this was a training race AND that the top ten were up the road. This was a perfunctory sprint, entirely pointless.

I was there; the whole series of events occurred 3 feet from my front wheel and directly in my line of sight. There was no way that the crash could have been Adam’s fault. Nor do I believe that it was Kyle’s or the Corner Cycles rider’s fault.

It was dumb luck. Part of the game.

We all play the game and we know the risks. And we all make mistakes sometimes. These mistakes can have dire consequences for our friends and rivals alike. But even the sketchiest rider isn’t sketchy on purpose.

I am not sure of my point here. I am the first to bark at a sketchy rider. I am also the first to apologize for my own transgressions.

I guess that I am asking for you to be careful out there. We all race often, sketchiness will eventually cause its logical consequence. Whatever you are sprinting for; 10’s of dollars, muffins, a medal, a jersey, or swag, it is not worth putting yourself or someone else in the hospital for. But, sort of like Bob Dylan said, "everybody must get..."

Popularity Kills: My Excuses for Canceling the Battenkill Alternative Ride

I owe my readership an apology.

My last post intimated that I was organizing a challenging bicycle ride for April 10th of 2010, the same day as Battenkill. In fact I was.

While I was investigating routes and formats, I was inundated with positive responses. Friends as far-flung as Tennessee (isn’t that where you are now Zach?) planned on traveling to Cambridge to participate. Normally, positive responses are a good thing. In this case it was not. Given the sheer number of riders who are ready to drop Battenkill and come do a gentlemen’s race, the event has to be cancelled for a number of reasons.

1. This is impossible to do safely. I don’t see how we can responsibly have a 50+ person ride on local roads without marshals (see below). Sure we could do it, but it is a recipe for disaster. Can you imagine the chaos at the townlines and on the KOM’s?

2. This was not going to be a race. It was going to be a giant loop. So we can’t act like a race and have rolling enclosures, marshals, etc.

3. Since it is not a race, I hadn’t planned on charging anyone beyond a few dollars to cover a couple of neutral rest stops/feedzones stocked with tools, tubes, food and drinks. As such, this ride had no budget (see insurance below).

4. Insurance. I would never invite strangers on an organized ride without insuring the ride. People who I don’t know have contacted me about the ride, which began to make me think about liability. As structured, this ride is uninsurable at a reasonable rate.

5. I am comfortable with how most of my friends and teammates ride bicycles; I became concerned when strangers indicated that they were planning on doing “my” ride. We all know what sketchy riding looks like and how dangerous it can be. How would I ever screen these people out when I don’t even know half the potential riders? And what about riders who can’t handle the distance or the pace? Can we really have a “no drop” ride with dozens of competitive cyclists across multiple categories? Are we to abandon the unfit out in central Mass and hope that they get home OK?

So, if you are a reader of mine and had planned on doing this ride, I apologize. I am not up to the task of organizing it.

If you want to take up the reins and organize a ride, I’ll be happy to post it here. Otherwise, you should contact your teammates and friends and organize a barnburner of your own for April 10th.

BTW, be sure to check the comments sections of the previous two posts about Battenkill (here and here), there have been a few interesting developments in the last few days.

Tour of the Battenkill—More Thoughts on the Fee Increase.

My post last week about Tour of the Battenkill’s fee increase stirred up a hornet’s net of opinions and counter arguments. Overall, the debate that took place was good and at times productive. Dieter explained that he will use your increased registration fee to make T shirts and rent timing chips. Neither of these additions will improve our experience during the race.

While I am skeptical about the need for timing chips, I have to admit that they may help Drake and his staff get results posted a little faster than the +5 days that zencycles points out that it took last year.

Curiously, Drake did not mention improving racer support, such as neutral wheel cars for lower category races or even having multiple “wheels in, wheels out” cars per race.

The key for me would be seriously increased wheel support. Drake didn’t mention anything about neutral support. Therefore most of his “improvements” for 2010 are aimed at peripheral details, while failing to address the most people’s central complaint with Battenkill: LACK OF RIDER SUPPORT.

If you talk to people about this race or read cycling blogs you know that flat tires are common in this race. More importantly, there was little to no support for racers who flatted.

If I drove 4 hours, paid for a hotel, paid a $75 race feel and got a flat and had to walk to the finish, a T Shirt and accurate results would not make me feel any better.

You have a choice. You can take Dieter Drake at his word and believe that you $75 will be well spent and that the race will be markedly better than it was last year. Personally, Dieter’s comments on this blog failed to convince me that the race will be worth $75.

Maybe I am wrong. Perhaps Drake is trying to limit the number of registrants in order to provide a higher quality race. But if we consider his past behavior in this regard, we should conclude that this is likely not his intent. Last year Drake opened multiple lower category races in order to gather as many $45 registration fees as possible. As a result the race suffered from botched results and riders suffered from inadequate support during the race. Even riders who finished without incident passed dozens of riders walking duckfooted up the dirt climbs while pushing bicycles with flat tires.

Again, I could be wrong. The race could have been suffering from growing pains that an extra $50,000 in registration fees will massage away. Its your money to gamble with.

For my part, I plan on hosting a very long ride (race) on the same day as Battenkill. I have been exploring formats and routes, trying to devise a format and a route that will prove challenging to competitive cyclists while offering an acceptable level of safety. It won’t be a popularity contest; I won’t be offended if friends chose to race Battenkill.

I am looking for suggestions about route and format.

Creeping Fees in Competitive Cycling: Part 2--Tour of the Battenkill Sets the Bar Higher Than Ever.

Race fees have been rising steadily over the last year. One of my main points when I tackled this topic this summer was that a promoter could only get away with raising race fees far above the average fee if they were offering a unique race experience. I sighted the Tour of the Battenkill as the primary example of such a race. I also noted that the promoter of Battenkill, Dieter Drake, was very likely to raise prices until he found the upper limit that racers were willing to pay.

Battenkill will cost $75 for lower category racers and $85 for cat 1/Pro and cat 2 (who have a separate race. Obviously, the fee is outrageously high. Normally, I'd blast the promoter and suggest that we all race somewhere else on that day. Realistically, most people I know will complain about the fee privately and then be the first to register for the race.

The icing on the cake is the lack of a prizelist. While few of us will finish in the money, we like to know that a portion of our race fee will be paid to the best riders in our race. Maybe this is an oversight, but the combination of the pieces of information makes me bridle.

Last year we all sat around our computers at a designated time waiting for Battenkill registration to open so that we wouldn't be shut out when the fields filled quickly. Some of us had plans that night and were shut out. Dieter Drake added fields to accommodate the demand. While some people spent time on a wait list, eventually, no one was shut out.

This year, I suggest that we have none of it. The races aren't going to fill. And even if they fill, Drake will do exactly what he did last year and open fields instead of leaving $75 a head on the table. Maybe if we wait a few weeks before registering, Drake will panic. Obviously, he won't lower the race fee this year, but he may think twice before raising the fee by more than 50% for 2011.

I'd like to say that I'm highly principled and that I'll stay home instead of paying the exorbitant race fee. I haven't decided if I will race yet. My decision will depend on my fitness in the late winter/early spring. If I feel like I am going to get dropped, I will stay home and do an epic ride locally instead of dropping all that money and driving 8+ hours to ride alone in upstate New York.