Austin Texas Triathlon News, Reviews, Events

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Electronic Shifting FAQ

Service Captain, Chris Warren, admiring new SRAM eTAP

Frequently Asked Questions about Electronic Shifting

By now you've probably heard of Shimano's Di2 and SRAM's new eTAP Wireless groupsets. Below is a collection of questions we've been asked. Feel free to let us know if you have more!

Woah! Is that even reliable?
Why would I want electronic shifting?
Does it need regular service?
Can I service it myself?
How long does the battery last?
How long does it take to recharge the battery?
How many recharge cycles can the battery take?
Are the components light?

Woah! Is that even reliable?

Yes! Shimano Di2 has been available since 2009. It has been thoroughly vetted on the professional and recreational level. SRAM Red eTAP components were tested in secret for years before they were spotted in the pro peloton and have received widespread praise since their recent public release.

Cervelo P5 with 9070 Di2

Why would I want electronic shifting?

     Because you can!
     But seriously, in both Shimano and SRAM the shift quality is superior to the shift quality of the mechanical groups. The elimination of traditional shift cables means no more derailleur adjustments for cable stretch. It means no more frayed cables. It means no need for barrel adjusters. It means no rusty shift cables. In fact, the electronic components are safe in sweaty conditions and rainy days too. The components are also very aerodynamic, in part, because of the wiring (or lack there of).
     Probably one of the biggest reasons to lust after electronic shifting is the ability to add accessory shifters. Everyone knows that mechanical shifting can only have one shifter per derailleur, but with electronic shifting the signal can be sent from multiple points. Triathletes can now shift from the aero bars, or the basebar. Roadies can shift from the hood position or a “sprint” position. If you fall somewhere in between a tri-geek and a roadie – you can have road style shift levers and shifters on a pair of clip-on aero bars!

Does it need regular service?

Electronic shifting doesn’t require the same type of service, but it will still need occasional check overs. There are still physical derailleur limits that need to be set and derailleur hangers to be straightened, but most people will find that their semi-annual tune ups will be sufficient. Periodically, the manufacturers release firmware updates to fix bugs and improve things like battery life.

Shimano Di2 Charger/Update Interface

Can I service it myself?

Sure! The set-up is relatively simple for those that have some mechanical inclination. While the actual processes are outside the scope of this post, stop by and see one of our expert mechanics for assistance.

SRAM eTAP Firmware Update Dongle

How long does the battery last?

The Shimano di2 battery will last on average 3-4 months depending on the number of shifts. Some riders have reported as long as 12 months on one charge and upwards of 4000 miles. The A Junction box also functions as a battery indicator and will give an indication in 25% increments plus a critical level.

The SRAM eTap derailleur batteries (each derailleur has it’s own battery) last for approximately 600 miles or 2-3 weeks. This is also dependent on how often you shift. Since the shifters are wireless, they also have their own batteries. These batteries are CR2032s, so they aren’t rechargeable but are expected to last two years.

But I’m still worried, what happens when the batteries die?

On the Shimano system the as the battery drops to around the 10% level the front derailleur functions stops first. Your last shift will allow you to drop to the small ring. This leaves you the rear derailleur function. This will operate until the battery runs out of juice, and you’ll be stuck in your final gear combination. We recommend charging the battery when you see the flashing red on the battery level indicator (around 10%).

On the SRAM system, you’re rear derailleur battery will fail first, because you use it more often. Lights on the derailleurs will let you know as you reach approximately 25% remaining. SRAM is rumored to be working on a battery indicator screen/data field for your Garmin. When the rear derailleur battery runs out of juice, you can swap the front and the rear derailleur batteries and be back in action. In fact, you could potentially swap back and forth several times to efficiently climb hills on the way home. The batteries are also small and light enough to carry an extra in a saddle bag.

SRAM eTAP Battery and Rear Derailleur

How long does it take to recharge the battery?

The Shimano Di2 battery takes 1.5 hours to recharge. The seatpost battery requires a charger that plugs into the A Junction. The external battery requires a separate charger that the battery plugs into.

The Sram eTap batteries recharge in 45 minutes each. They require a standalone charger (included in the upgrade kit).

How many recharge cycles can the battery take?

The Shimano battery can be recharged 300 times at 100% integrity. This practically means you’ll never have to replace the battery, because after 300 recharge cycles you’ll be ready for a new bike!
SRAM batteries are rated at 100 recharge cycles. So, the batteries won’t last as long as the Shimano batteries, but they will last a long time. When you need a new battery, a replacement is available for $40.

Are the components light?

Of course!! While Sram Red mechanical is the lightest full groupset out there, SRAM eTap is the 2nd lightest configuration available, followed by Shimano 9070 Dura Ace Di2. Ultegra 6870 is the heaviest electronic configuration and also is slightly heavier than it’s mechanical counterpart, Ultegra 6800.

Argonaut with SRAM eTap and Lightweight Wheels, only 14lbs!

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Excruciation Exam Race Report

Excruciation Exam Race Report

By Terry King

After last year’s 37 degree and raining effort with only 38 riders – I swore that I would not fight the Excruciation Exam (E2) under the same conditions. So I watched the weather carefully, registered when it looked to be clear but by week’s end the rain and temps were back in the same spot as last year – oh well. What’s a New Year start and my 48^th birthday without some suffering. E2 is typically between 80 and 90 miles (depending on conditions at Warda’s Bluff Creek Ranch and Rocky Hill and the final single track layout). The race starts with an 8 mile loop at Warda, jeep trails and fire roads to Rocky Hill, a 12-14 mile loop at RH, back to Warda with a shorter loop in Warda to finish. My goals were to finish (last year I DNF’d at mile 63 with a mechanical) and to finish sub 6 hours (I have had a 6:05 once). No illusions about a top result – in the past the Open field has featured US pros such as Chad Haga and pro riders from Mexico - never mind some of Pattie’s top 40+ compatriots sandbagging in the age group. Nevertheless – this year’s goals were marked by a solid time and just finishing the race (the attrition and time cut-off is usually a solid 50%).

The race usually begins with a Le Mans start (i.e. running) but like last year the conditions were not conducive to a bunch of mountain bikers struggling through a quarter mile slog so it started as a mass start with the Open field up front. The benefit of the Le Mans format is that it strings the group out and does not bunch things up on the single track. It also allows groups to settle in coming out of Bluff Creek Ranch for pack riding on the roads. In the past I have started fast through Warda and then ridden really strong in the group to RH only to crater while in the trails at RH – struggling back to Warda.

The trail conditions at Bluff Creek were nasty – slick, a lot of roots, off camber areas and just plain messy. While not overly technical (particularly the front part of the course) it created situations where you had folks taking chances, passing on banked turns and a lot of early crashes. While the field is limited to 150 – when the group is bunched up it can be touchy with the technical guys trying to get a leg up before everyone hits the road sections. Having sprained a wrist last week – I was not nearly as aggressive in Warda as I have been in year’s past. Hitting the road – it began to rain and the RBM guy next to me indicated that the temperature had fallen to 38 degrees (the temp at the finish was 41 with a light rain the entire day). As we crossed 77 heading to Rocky Hill the wind began to pick up and the groups on the road splintered. It is a weird mix of MTB riders and road racers trying to find their place and as was the case on Saturday – I saw a number of road guys trying to blow things up on the jeep trails only to crater at Rocky Hill (one guy from a Houston based team was yelling that the group needed to work harder and I took great pleasure in passing him at RH with about two miles left on the trails). I rode in a smaller group and then went off solo for about 30 minutes heading to RH. With all of the rain we have had this year – the gravel roads were worn down and made for solid riding. In order to stay on my time goal – I had to hit RH by 10:00 am and was within one minute as I made the turn.

The first three miles of RH were similar to the TMBRA race layout with a lot of climbing – brutal having spent almost 2. 5 hours in the saddle by that time but the 1X gear selection made it much easier. I have usually struggled at RH but felt good and ceded no ground to anyone and stayed on tempo the entire ride. The rocks were slippery and there was a lot of water on the course with a few dicey spots – which is not typical of RH. I stayed within 50 yards of the No. 2 overall girl and we passed 4 or 5 riders the last couple of miles and she and I hit the road together. Honestly – despite the nasty and wet conditions I really liked the overall layout at RH and with a few new trails cut in – it allowed for better flow and less overall fatigue (mental and physical) coming out at the turn-around. As you leave RH heading back to Warda on the road – you hit an immediate hill which feels like something in West Austin. It can be demoralizing and can blow people up. We left RH with 5 individuals and before we finished the hill it was completely strung out. That is the way it stayed throughout the balance of the race. As is typical – the group mentality heading to RH gives way to survival and competition on the way back. In year’s past – you have had to stop at the check points to receive a tag to ensure that you completed your runs – this was not the case this year as they had spotters marking race numbers and I was able to ride through all but one point (where I ate and changed gloves).

Within 10 miles of Warda – I realized I had a shot at my time goal but had to stay on the upper end of my limit. There was a 30-39 rider who was ahead of me coming out of the last check point and was able to use him to maintain the pace and eventually reel him in. I knew that times would be fast given the RH course and really wanted to hit the time goal regardless of my result. With 5 miles out, I drank an 8 oz Coke, took a gel and hit it has hard as could. I reeled in the rider in front as we turned down the last jeep road to the Ranch in Warda and rode him off my wheel for the last short pull on the outer short track in Warda. My time was 5:50 – 5 minutes off of my 5:45 set goal. I felt surprisingly fine afterwards with no stiffness or soreness beyond the normal fatigue. Chad had given me few calorie pointers for the effort and that coupled with the full suspension 29’er were a big help. And while I was not able to ride with the fastest groups to RH in the first part of the race as I have done in the past – I also did not burn unnecessary matches and was able to move more smoothly through RH and finish the back half much stronger. Fun day – real tough and it can be a real sufferfest. There is a huge time gap between the first big groups and the last group. For some reference point – the time cut off leaving RH is 1:00 pm. I finished at 1:20 – so there are some folks on the road for a long time. The goal next year will be to focus on results and leaving Warda with the strongest groups and hopefully put together an overall result for the Team.

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Pregnancy as an Athlete

By Kat Hunter

Austin athlete Megan Wolfe,
23 weeks half marathon

Sometimes I catch myself saying “I used to be a cyclist.” I’m perpetually tired. I’m round. Movement is awkward. People lift boxes for me and discuss the size and shape of my stomach the way they might the changeability of the weather. My identity as an athlete feels like it’s fading into nonexistence as much as my waistline.

But I’ve done all this once before. And if there’s one thing I know about being pregnant it’s that pregnancy is a very temporary state, one that you might even miss when it’s over, just because there was something so unique and…well, connected…about it. For any woman who’s an athlete and pregnant (or thinking about becoming pregnant for the first time), I’ll share this: First, physically you will be back to where you were or better if that’s your goal, and two, you don’t have to be in a huge hurry to do it.

When I was carrying my first child I tried to pitch an article on training during pregnancy to various cycling publications. In truth, I wanted to research and write about it because I wanted to know more myself. I was frustrated by the lack of answers on the subject, even via anecdotal testimony; people were remarkably close-lipped. More often than not the advice I found was, “do what feels right,” and “exercise in moderation.” But what was moderation? And when does a quality interval session feel like anything other than dying?

Dr. James F. Clapp III's Exercising Through Your Pregnancy became a source of great comfort to me. The book represented real research, not just a series of chatty internet articles lacking sources, and it didn’t condemn mothers-to-be for “strenuous” exercise; in fact, the studies listed a number of possible benefits. I interviewed Bradley Price, an OB-GYN (and dedicated triathlete) in Austin who had conducted a study that showed starting an exercise program during pregnancy had noticeably positive benefits even for previously inactive women. Compared to Bradley’s sedentary control group, the group that performed “moderate aerobic exercise” for 45-60 minutes, four times a week, through 36 weeks gestation were shown to improve aerobic fitness, muscular strength, have similarly sized babies with fewer cesarean deliveries, and recover faster postpartum.

I also interviewed professional triathlete Sarah Haskins-Kortuem and former pro bike racer Jen McRae. I tried my best to get an interview with two-time gold medalist Kristen Armstrong, who’d held her two-year-old son up for the cameras after becoming the oldest rider to win an Olympic time trial in London in 2012. I talked to local multisport elites like Maggi Finley and Missy Ruthven. I outlined a number of ideas.

Cyclist and cycling advocate Nadia Barrera de Ramirez,
commuting to work at 29 weeks

And then I gave birth to my son, and the project moved from burning, to smoldering, to on a cold back burner. As time went on I think I became, like others, more reluctant to speak of my experience, both simply because I was forgetting much of it and also because other people are exceptionally quick to judge and criticize when it comes to anything involving babies, born or unborn. Though exercise is now widely recommended for women during pregnancy, the world at large still gets very nervous when you take it beyond a gentle waddle around the block.

You can’t blame people for thinking that way. There’s much we don’t know, and the reluctance to study the subject is understandable given the ethical and practical concerns of experimenting on or with pregnant women; research tends to rely on self-reported results. In a sense the unfortunate truth for any woman is that she has to become her own guinea pig. Because of this and the fact that every pregnancy and every woman’s body is very different, the advice to “do what feels right” is actually some of the best that you’ll get.

To me, a woman’s evolutionary pedigree is more all-weather workhorse than hot-house orchid; the practice of remaining inert and indoors during pregnancy seems more alien and destructive to our bodies and those of our unborn children than being rigorously active. That was my foundation for training during my first pregnancy, and from there I tried to manage my workouts with a sense of practicality and “moderation” as best I saw it. I made a number of mistakes, of course.

My first mistake was thinking of training during pregnancy in terms of my competitive success post-delivery. From that standpoint it’s not a time to push the envelope; there’s simply no practical purpose. You’re going to have to take some time to recover after the baby is born, whether you deliver vaginally or by cesarean, and regardless, getting back into real race shape is just going to take time. (Less than you’d think, maybe—I was better than I’d ever been long before my son turned one.) In hindsight, I think the real reasons to train during pregnancy are to keep up a consistent routine and to avoid unnecessary weight gain, not to mention emotional happiness and sanity. Maintaining a reasonable level of fitness will make it easier to get back to competition later and will likely help you and the baby manage the effort of labor better.

The hardest thing about training during pregnancy can be learning to trust your own judgment. It helps to find a doctor who understands and supports your goals; sometimes OB-GYNs can sound about as well informed as those chatty internet articles, so if you have one that can quote real case studies and real numbers, you’ve probably got a doctor who’s going to tell you that you’re doing a good thing by working out. (If you have to see an MFM and are in Austin, I highly recommend Dr. Celeste Sheppard at Hill Country Maternal Fetal Medicine.) It helps to be conservative, too, to stop somewhere before you would in a typical pre-pregnancy workout: for example, to not push yourself quite as long or as far, to allow yourself without guilt to stop or slow down when you need to. There’s no reason to put an undue amount of pressure on yourself. You’ll encounter a lot of challenges and changes that you never have before. Because of loosening ligaments and the different weight distribution, for example, you may find yourself more prone to injury. Expect to get slower and to do less as your belly grows, and don’t let this make you feel like you’re failing.

If you’re a cyclist, whether to ride outside and where to ride outside are very personal choices. Be warned that you’ll receive open criticism from family, friends, and strangers. Of course, you’ll also hear stories of women biking themselves to their own deliveries. Where you fall in that spectrum is your own business. For much of the first trimester the baby is well protected by the bones of your pelvis; later, as your belly begins to noticeably protrude, there’s more risk in the event of a fall. Some people say a woman’s sense of balance is compromised during pregnancy as well, especially in latter stages. (I felt awkward but never off-kilter.)

The author at right, roughly one month from
delivery in her first pregnancy

Anecdotally…carrying my first son, I rode outside at near-normal levels of training for the first trimester, racing the state championships (second to Lauren Stephens—no shame there) at five or six weeks pregnant in 2012 and continuing on during the following off-season period with hard group rides and sporadic interval workouts. I tried running but had uncomfortable cramping in my abdomen, so that didn’t last very long. After the first trimester, I started parking my car at the veloway and doing all my training by bike on the track, which is closed to cars. When the position on my road bike became awkward I switched to a slow commuter bike with a very cushy saddle, a rack, and unnaturally high handlebars. I did a combination of trainer and veloway workouts up until delivery (which for me came two weeks after my due date).

I got back on the bike roughly two weeks after my son was born without too much difficulty, though it probably would have been more constructive and healthy to have allowed at least one more week. Weight loss felt slow at first, but eventually I was back to my previous weight without ever having dieted. I breastfed my son for the first year, and with hard training I had zero problems with milk supply—I typically had an oversupply. That, too, was manageable during training, though it meant my weekly long rides were limited to about three or four hours in terms of comfort. Still breastfeeding at around 10 months, I placed sixth in GC at the Joe Martin Stage Race in April 2014. In June I had a significant PR at the Texas State TT Championships and was fastest woman overall. That July when I was in the final stage of weaning, I won the last stage of a pro race, the Cascade Cycling Classic. The momentum and motivation and success of that year following childbirth I have never experienced again and probably never will.

There's some evidence that a mother's blood parameters are improved postpartum for a period of time (Clapp's book discusses this). And then, of course, there are the disturbing rumors of Olympic athletes in the '70s and '80s intentionally becoming pregnant and then aborting the fetuses for the aerobic benefits. Very early on in the pregnancy, possibly even before you know you're pregnant, your blood volume increases. Some athletes have diagnosed a pregnancy just from the sudden drop that occurs in power numbers. You're exhausted until your red blood cell count catches up, and after that you'll feel good again. The idea is you then benefit aerobically from the increased blood volume, but in my experience, both during this early stage of pregnancy and after in the supposedly superwoman period postpartum there are so many other factors coming into play that any improvements are a wash. You're always tired, you weigh more, you have terrible heartburn, your ligaments have gone Gumby, and afterward your body is also busy making milk, you're not sleeping, you can't train as many hours in one go, you're playing catch-up on overall fitness... My power numbers improved steadily well beyond the period of postpartum benefits, so though an increased red blood cell count may have helped alleviate the downsides post-pregnancy, I don't think it was the reason I did so well out of the gate. I think those nine months of rest during pregnancy—mentally and physically—may have been the key to success my first season back. I was just having a lot of fun racing again.

2014 Driveway Series podium, author and son at center

With a second baby, everything is more relaxed, and my goals this time around are very different. I found racing at an elite level with a young child to be really, really hard—more so as time went on because naps were shorter and my son noticed more when I was away. I felt guilty, and I felt differently about things than I expected to; it was a lot harder to take risks when I was racing, to get into that mindset that the finish line was all that mattered. I’m still bothered by the fact that my racing and writing commitments made many of my son’s earliest stages a blur, that I didn’t take more time to marvel at his development into a real person. After racing on a pro team in 2015, I don’t think I’ll ever aspire to that level of competition again.

It can be done, though, and some women do it exceptionally well. The fact that the way has been paved by other members of our gender is nice—what I didn’t realize, when I was going full tilt in that direction, was that I wasn’t going to be doing anything new and groundbreaking; I didn’t have anything to prove about the capability to be both mother and athlete. And this time I don’t even need to prove that to myself: I am a cyclist. I know I will be as much of a bike racer or competitive athlete as I want to be after I give birth, even if I’m near-spherical now.

I might still go more in-depth with this topic one day, maybe listen again to those interviews that were so kindly given and piece them into a story with hard numbers and hard facts and the anecdotal testimonies of other women athletes who went on to continued success post-baby. I think the most difficult part of writing that article may be listening to the recordings of my former self: so full of ambition and yet so afraid of what lay ahead, not knowing that it would be better and also harder than anything in my wildest dreams. If this describes you, too, rest assured that you have much to look forward to. Enjoy the ride.

2014 TX State Championships team time trial -
moms Kat Hunter, Missy Ruthven, and Maggi Finley visible

Austin-area OB-GYNs personally recommended by bike racers and endurance athletes:

Claire Hoverman, Hill Country OB/GYN (multiple locations)
Celeste Sheppard, Hill Country Maternal Fetal Medicine* (north) [specialist for high-risk pregnancies]
Bradley Price (central)
Felicia Nash, Women Partners in Health (multiple locations)
Joseph Fernandez, Scott & White Round Rock* (Round Rock)
Tyler Hancock, Scott & White Round Rock* (Round Rock)

*=recommended by an athlete who has been treated by the doctor during pregnancy

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Race Around Austin 2016!

FAQ by Christie Tracy, ATC Racing

What is “Race Around Austin 2016” / #RAA2016?

#RAA2016 is a fun-filled field trip/scavenger-hunt style “race” around Austin with four of your closest friends/teammates. Teams of five will depart from Austin Tri-Cyclist and make their way to three highly classified, top-secret check-in points spread throughout Austin before returning to cross the finish line back at ATC. The check-in points will be revealed at packet pickup on Friday, January 22, and team members must work together to determine their team’s route for the next day. The order in which teams stop at the check-in points is 100% up to them, and superior routing skills and an unfailing sense of direction will no doubt be key to the fastest team’s success!

What did people have to say after last year’s inaugural Race Around Austin (#RAA2015)?

“Rolling into ATC at the end was a great feeling, and I remember being struck by how much fun the overall day was. . .. I definitely plan to do this race again in the future. The idea is a really great one—it fosters exploration of the city, and it was very well supported by sponsors.”

- Jack Cartwright, elite triathlete

“Huge thanks to the Ladies of ATC for having such a great event. Although we didn't set any records during our "social" ride today, the Rock & ROL team had a blast. The check-in points were awesome with plenty of food, drink, and smiling faces, and all the teams we saw while out on the road waved, said hello, or at least told us we sucked, which was evident many times today. I have to say that this was one of the most fun days on the bike I have had and everyone on the ROL RACING Team felt the same way. Congrats on a fantastic day. You set the bar pretty much out of reach for others to hit.”

- Charles Bippert, roadie (ROL Wheels Racing Team)

“Thanks so much to all the ATC ladies and the other volunteers for putting on such an amazing event! We had such an amazing time! Everyone was so sweet and helpful. The food was incredible too!”

- Celina Richardson, roadie (River City Market Racing)

How far should my team be prepared to ride?
Well, that depends on your routing skills (see above FAQ!); however, you should be prepared to ride somewhere between 85 and 115 miles, depending on the route that you plan. Yep, you’d better get to logging those miles if you want to be ready for this!!

What can I expect at the check-in points?
SHENANIGANS. (And paparazzi / cameras / screaming fangirls). Oh yeah – and all check-in points will have ride fuel (pb&j sandwiches, bananas, etc), fresh juice courtesy of JuiceLand Austin, water, and potties. If you’re among the first teams to arrive at a given stop, you may even find extra goodies like baked goods prepared just for you by the ladies of ATC Racing. (Remember last year’s #RAA2015 cake at Allison’s stop? Yeah. #Worthit!)

What will be required of my team at each stop before we can advance to the next one?
If we told you that, we’d have to hang you upside down by your toenails until you begged for mercy! What didn’t you understand about highly-classified-top-secret???

No, but seriously – you should expect the unexpected. You may be required to double-dutch with your teammates, showcase your hip flexibility with hula hoops wearing an orange tutu, or successfully complete a game of hop-scotch on a pogo stick…OOORRRR maybe we’ll take it easy on you and let you off the hook with just a selfie with the lovely volunteers as proof that your team checked in. . . guess you’ll have to wait and see! (In the meantime – maybe brush up on your jump-roping, hip swinging, pogo stick skillzzz?)

What will the prize pot be for the fastest teams?
Since this is officially a “Gran Fondo” (no USAC license is required to participate), we aren’t allowed to award prizes to the “winners” outside of the obvious social media fame that goes hand-in-hand with winning the Epic Adventure that is #RAA2016. Just ask Paul Fafard, or any of the members of last year’s #RAA2015 fastest team “Team Cycle Progression 2”…they’re STILL fighting off the paparazzi!

That said, though, the first 15 teams to register will receive a highly coveted, limited edition #RAA2016 mason jar from which they can enjoy post-race adult beverages or flouncy summer-time cocktails with umbrellas… HURRY! As of the time of publication, 14 teams have already registered!!

Castelli AND Cervelo have also come through with some AWESOME swag that we’ll be awarding for random achievements through the day (think along the lines of things like Best Selfie with an ATC Team Member…Most Creative Team Name…Best Double-Dutch Performance of the day…LOL – we kid…or DO we???)

What will the finish line festivities include?

MORE SHENANIGANS! Adult beverages. And food. Lots of delicious food! Last year, we served jambalaya, peach cobbler, cornbread, beer from Independence Brewery, and cider from Austin Eastciders, and ALL were a huge hit. We’re still working out the menu for this year, but we’ve confirmed that Independence Brewery and Austin Eastciders will be donating adult beverages for your post-ride re-hydration needs. We’re talking with several other food and beverage vendors, so keep an eye on the Race Around Austin 2016 #RAA2016 Facebook Page for announcements of finalized race-day finish line food and beverages.

Michelle Hittner from Austin Massage Company will also be returning this year and will be set up at the finish at ATC to help start your recovery off right!

So, where do I sign up, and how much is this fun-filled day of awesomeness going to cost me?

USAC Registration Link

**ONLY ONE PERSON (Team Captain) from each team needs to register. After registering a team, please email christietracy33@gmail.com with your roster of five and #RAA2016 team name. Team names can be creative and do not have to match your USAC team name.

Early registration through January 16 is $90/team ($18/person), and the price increases to $110/team ($22/person) on January 17. If you’re able to register early, we’d REALLY appreciate it, as it will give us a better idea of how much food and supplies we’ll need at the check-in points and finish line.

Need more incentive to register early? This year, teams which register by January 15 will get to choose their own starting time slot (from available slots) in the order of registration. Team captains who have registered a team by the 15th will be contacted on January 16 in the order of registration by an ATC Team Member for starting time slot selection.

Start times for all teams that register after January 15 will be assigned by and at the mercy of the Ladies of ATC Racing (Bwahahaha [Insert evil laugh here…] )

I’d like to participate, but don’t have a team – what can I do?

Post a note to our Facebook Page letting others know that you’re looking for a team!

I have a partial team, but we’re short a rider (or two) – can we still race?

All teams must be made up of five people, but we’re encouraging solo riders to post to our Facebook page, so check there often for solo riders looking for a team in order to fill up your roster.

How do the ladies of ATC Racing plan to pull off such an EPIC event for the second year in a row??

We absolutely could not even begin to put on an event of this scale without the help and support of our sponsors and local businesses who graciously pitch in product and services in support of the local cycling community.

We need to send a HUGE “Thank You” out to the following businesses for their sponsorship and support of this year’s event. Please feel free show your thanks as well, by patronizing their businesses in the upcoming year!

Local Companies that are donating goods/services for Race Around Austin 2016 (More to come!):
• Independence Brewing Company
• Austin Eastciders
• JuiceLand Austin
• Austin Massage Company
• Austin Tri-Cyclist
• Cervelo
• Castelli
• Travis Parks & Recreation

ATC Racing Sponsors whose support help to make this event possible:
• Austin Tri-Cyclist
• Brad Houston Law
• Niece Equipment
• Pure Austin Fitness
• Greater Texas Federal Credit Union (GTFCU)
• Herrera Construction
• B&W Truck –Trailer & Machine Shop
• Austin Massage Company

And now, a selection of some of RAA's most photogenic participants from 2015:

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Want to Race Your Bike?
FAQs for Getting Started in Austin

By Kat Hunter

Hotter'N Hell P1/2 criterium photos courtesy of Robert Spangle Photography

Everyone has to start somewhere, and at the very beginning we’re all in the same boat: we know we like to ride bikes, but how one goes about doing that competitively is something of a mystery. Often “the way things work” in the Austin cycling scene is word of mouth, and you might not have the right person to ask or even have a firm grasp on your questions. Here’s a very basic FAQ for someone who knows nothing but wants to learn more.

What is bike racing? (also: upgrading and the category system)
There are lots of different types of bike racing, from track racing to mountain biking to adventure racing to cyclocross. This post will focus almost exclusively on road cycling—criterium races, road races, stage races, time trials, and the like—all of which take place on pavement and on a road bike or time-trial bike.

Most of Texas’ road cycling events are mass-start races, meaning you’ll begin with a group of people (in a “pack” or “peloton”) and complete a certain distance or duration to the finish line. The Texas calendar is very heavy on criteriums in particular, and there are also a number of popular road races (which take place predominantly in the late winter/early spring); pure time trials can be scarce and are usually less well attended.

HHH, Christie Tracy of ATC Racing

Road cycling has a category system, cat 5 being the lowest and greenest category and cat 1 being the highest category short of an official UCI pro designation. You “cat up” by placing well in mass-start events (TT results don’t count), so a rider’s category reflects a combination of experience and talent. A cat 5 man needs only to complete 10 mass-start races to upgrade to a 4, and from that point on he earns points to upgrade. A woman starts out as a cat 4, so she’ll need points to upgrade from her starting category. Races tend to be split up according to predicted field size—as a typical example, the men might have separate masters, cat 5, cat 3/4, and Pro 1/2 races, while the women almost always have three fields, which are cat 4, cat 1/2/3 (or possibly “Women’s Open,” meaning that 4s can opt to race in that field), and 40+ masters. It’s not uncommon for fields to be combined and scored separately if attendance is low (e.g., the women 40+ race with the W4, or the WP123 races with the masters men).

How do I get on a team?
Before you start thinking about joining a team, you need to race. This is not only a matter of practicality but necessity. Most teams aren’t going to consider you unless you’ve raced before and they know you personally. Cycling is largely about who you know and how you interact with people, not your power numbers. You have to prove that you can race well, not just go fast in a straight line.

For men: You might be able to get on a team fairly quickly if you have the right connections. Men have more club-type teams that have large numbers and don’t require a specific amount of participation or experience level. Ask around at group rides and bike shops.

For women: In Austin the women’s teams tend to be very small and selective. Most teams are comprised of cat 3 riders or above, meaning as a cat 4 you have very few options. Being a solo rider for a season until you meet everyone and figure out where you might best fit is probably your best option (see below).

Why Solo Is Good:
Whether man or woman, being an unattached rider for a season or a few months gives you time to figure out the sport and the teams you could see yourself riding for. Without teammates or the pressure to perform a specific role, you can focus on your own personal results and simply play the part of observer and opportunist—these things can be very nice. And don’t worry: there are a lot of other solo riders just like you, and you’re going to get to know people very quickly, whether that’s your aim or not. Bike racing is social, and everyone knows everyone else. Keep in mind that if you want teams to look at you the next season, you need to go to a lot of races, not just for the results and upgrade points but also to show your commitment level.

Timing:
Allegiances begin shifting and teams begin deciding their rosters for the next season in the late summer or fall. You may be approached by them, or you may need to give the team organizers a heads up that you’re interested. Switching teams mid-year is typically considered bad form. Some teams may have extra kits or mid-year kit orders that make it possible to add riders during the season; if you’re interested in joining a team, it doesn’t hurt to ask, but don’t be offended if they turn you down.

Important Things to Consider When Choosing a Team:
First and foremost, think about how well you get along with the other riders. It might also be more enjoyable to race in the same category as most of your teammates—you’ll find some teams have more masters members, for example. You might also decide on a team based on who you can most easily train with, maybe one whose members live around the same part of town. Make sure you understand the commitment level the team wants (e.g., number of races) and that this aligns with your personal goals. Some teams will pay full or partial race entries and heavily subsidize kits; some teams require you to pay all costs yourself. If you start by asking “what do I get,” though, you’re probably not going to get a warm welcome from the team.

How do I get a free bike?
You're kidding, right? Teams sometimes get sponsor deals that they share with members, but the free-equipment crowd is an elite group of 1s or 2s on small and very selective teams. Often they're essentially full-time bike racers and travel to national races. If you join a team that has a good relationship with a local bike shop you may get shop deals on bikes and other equipment, but don't expect this, and treat those opportunities with respect.

How do I learn more about racing?

If you're looking to buy new, you might consider the
Cannondale CAAD12 or Focus Cayo AL Tiagra
as a quality "starter bike" for racing.

Before you even think about doing your first bike race you need to be experienced in riding with large groups of other people. Go on group rides. Challenge yourself to the hard ones. (Here’s a list of area group rides—note you’ll need to check on current ride times and details, as this post was written last spring.) Start asking around about what races other cyclists are doing and what they’d recommend. Most people are very willing to help and answer questions. Read race reports (see our ATC blog archives—we have lots!); also check out TexasBikeRacing.com. The Texas race calendar can be found at TXBRA.org.

What kind of bike do I need?
You need a road bike to do crits and road races. It doesn’t have to be expensive—the real priority is a good set of race tires. Tri bikes can only be used for time trials. If you’re worried about your setup and looking silly, go out and watch a race before you register for one, or take your bike to the shop and ask what you need to do to make it race-ready. Staff should be able to help you, and if not, switch to a shop that has more of a competitive customer base.

Will I get dropped?
Probably. Just make sure you have an idea of the route and make your way back. Don’t be embarrassed—it happens to the best of us sooner or later. Road racing is not a participatory sport; it’s not about completing a certain distance but rather being the first to the line.

I can’t get injured. Should I do this?

No. Better you hear this now than later—you have to be willing to leave some skin on the asphalt in this sport. Sooner or later you will crash. The result may be minor road rash or broken bones. You have to accept the possible outcomes going in. If you’re completely averse to risk or you’re particularly uncoordinated, it’s probably better to focus on non-drafting events like time trials or multisport races or just going on challenging group rides or gran fondos. Roadies are accustomed to crashing, dusting themselves off, and getting back on their bikes to finish the race—if this grittiness and element of danger appeals to you, you’ve found your sport.

So why should I do this? You make it sound like a lot of work, not to mention a big hospital bill.
Competition is beautiful. There’s nothing like beating someone at the line in a sprint, split seconds between you. It’s an endorphin rush you’re never going to feel from a steady time trial. Racing works your mind in surprising ways, too—you learn to read people’s movements and thoughts, even predict the future. You’ll get into the deep dark depths of yourself—what you’re afraid of, your physical limits and strengths, how far you’re willing to push yourself, how well you can manipulate and manage other people and situations. In the process you’ll find talents you never knew you had, like performing well sprinting for a certain distance or sliding into a tight spot. Getting to race on a team in a sport in which a team actually matters is fun, too; the opportunity to contribute and work toward a mutual goal is immensely satisfying. Racing is addictive, and you’ll have a hundred sane reasons for not doing it, and you’ll do it anyway. It’s kind of like eating ice cream.

And now for those of you who aren’t satisfied yet…
I’m a strong time trialist (or triathlete), so I’m going to be awesome at road racing, right?
Not necessarily. This was me…I did a few Mopac TTs and the Tour de Gruene TT and thought I was going to win my first road race easily. I learned a few very hard lessons. Lots of roadies don’t do TTs and tris, especially in the road “off season” when they’re all taking a much-needed break, so you’re going to see whole new levels of fast in your first mass-start races. The format is also very different—you don’t get to choose the pace; expect sharp accelerations throughout and adjust your training to prepare by incorporating intervals and hill climbs. You’ll also have a lot to learn about race tactics and positioning. If you’re a strong time trialist, you’ll figure it out if you make an effort to, but it’s going to take time, so don’t be too disappointed when you don’t make the podium your first couple of races.

Yeah, but you don’t understand. I’m really fast. People keep saying I could be a pro. How do I race at a professional level?
Well, that changes everyth…no, it actually doesn’t. Not at all. You still have to work your way up from the bottom like everyone else. You may win your cat 5 races, and that’s great, but old fat guys are going to be beating you at local races when you get to 1/2 if you don’t train like a demon and learn how to read the group. If you’re the prodigy you say you are, you’ll rise through the ranks quickly and eventually you’ll hit the plateau where either talent or experience is curbing your rapid rise, and there you will learn all the things you may have skipped in the easier categories. Like I said, everyone pays their dues.

The way it’s done in most cases for men is that they start young, maybe riding for a junior development or local elite team. They usually spend quite a bit of time racing locally before they sign up for National Racing Calendar events, which represent the U.S. domestic pro circuit. If they’re really, really good, they might eventually start racing for a team in Europe, which is where the only real money in the sport is. But don’t give up on the idea of racing —if you’re not young and you’re not earth-shatteringly fast, in Austin there’s still a lot of prestige in racing at the top categories on a local level, and you’ll have incredible competition.

Women tend to start later and come from a wider variety of backgrounds. The advantage of being a woman: you can start racing with the best in the country as a cat 2, possibly even in your first season. Most NRC races are P12 fields for the women. For some events you can enter as a solo rider, and if the race is limited to invited teams, often you can still get a guest-riding spot on one of the smaller elite teams. The disadvantages of being a woman: there’s even less financial support than for the men, and there’s a huge jump from local races to NRC in terms of talent and field size. It’s a good idea, if you’re thinking you’d like to race pro, to race with the local men’s fields as much as possible. In general, the path to racing for a woman’s domestic pro team is very simple: 1) cat up to at least a 2 and learn how to race in big, fast fields; 2) guest ride for pro/elite teams to get some exposure and experience; 3) make connections with other riders and team directors to get invited onto a team.

To be a professional cyclist you’ve got to love the sport. There’s very little financial incentive. As a woman, you won’t get rich, period. You’ll be lucky to get paid anything. As a man, there’s a 99.9% chance you won’t get rich, either, and only a slightly higher probability of receiving a minimal salary. That’s the reality. So no matter what, have fun with it; that’s the only real reason to race.

Links:
TXBRA.org
TexasBikeRacing.com
List of group rides
Robert Spangle's cycling photography

Austin Tri-Cyclist Blog

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Electronic Shifting FAQ

Woah! Is that even reliable?

Why would I want electronic shifting?

Does it need regular service?

Can I service it myself?

How long does the battery last?

But I’m still worried, what happens when the batteries die?

How long does it take to recharge the battery?

How many recharge cycles can the battery take?

Are the components light?

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Top Posts & a Goodbye

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Excruciation Exam Race Report

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Pregnancy as an Athlete

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Race Around Austin 2016!

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Want to Race Your Bike?
FAQs for Getting Started in Austin

Austin Tri-Cyclist Blog

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Electronic Shifting FAQ

Woah! Is that even reliable?

Why would I want electronic shifting?

Does it need regular service?

Can I service it myself?

How long does the battery last?

But I’m still worried, what happens when the batteries die?

How long does it take to recharge the battery?

How many recharge cycles can the battery take?

Are the components light?

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Top Posts & a Goodbye

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Excruciation Exam Race Report

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Pregnancy as an Athlete

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Race Around Austin 2016!

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Want to Race Your Bike? FAQs for Getting Started in Austin

Want to Race Your Bike?
FAQs for Getting Started in Austin