Biomechanical or Mechanical?
I woke up and the knee didn’t hurt as bad as it has all week. I think the 2400mg of ibuprofen and some icing may be doing the trip. I also had a PT tape it for me.
Peggy and I rolled down to Colorado Springs for the Bear Creek race. I’ve won this race in the past so I was looking forward to it as the course suits me. But, when we got there the course was totally changed and super technical with a bunch of off-camber dismounts and loose sand. Doing a warm-up lap the knee was pissed. While warming up I noticed the new tubular and carbon Ritchey were sticking like glue. Sweet! At least something felt good.
The gun went off and Greg and I went for the holeshot and he waved me by. But I started going backwards – we rolled in late for the race and I didn’t get a good warmup in. I was sitting somewhere top 10. 15 mins into it the legs warmed up and I was moving up and got into 4th then the bumpy course made my chain jump off the front. I got it back on and 4 guys went past. The next lap I made it back to 4th and then the with 2 laps to go the chain bounced off again and it was too late to move up and I was cooked. After the race someone told me to shorten my chain. I’ve been rocking that length for 4 years with no issues, but when I put it up to my B bike, it was clear that the chain was too long.
Without the mechanicals I think I could have been 3rd or 4th.
I didn’t feel the knee when I was racing. When you are fighting you lungs from coming out of your mouth, focuses change.
Tonight I broke the #1 rule of bike racing. Don’t change anything major on your bike the night before a race.
I got my 10spd stuff and my rear carbon tubular and went to town. I’ve got new cables and brake pads and new rear wheel… Hopefully it will hold up for tomorrow’s race. Stupid I know, but when that sweet stuff is staring at you, it’s hard to resist. At least the B bike will be in the pit in case I need to do a switch.
If anyone wants to buy a brand new 2008 Ultegra Right/Left shifter let me know. I run a single ring up front, so I have no use for the Right one.
Jared
One Response to “Biomechanical or Mechanical?”
Attaboy – thumbs up on the effort.
See my response to your blog post about chain length. That uncle al guy is wrong about how to do it. You put it on your race gears so you know what it’s going to look like when you are done – no surprises. For cross put it on the 42/17 or 42/15, or what ever you are in most often, then make sure the derailleur is pulling slightly forward of perpendicular… and if you are afraid you will make it too short, you can leave it a little longer and take more out if you need to – just let the derailleur hang straight down in that instance.