Circuit Racing at Pacific Raceways

In June, with my gravel season in the mirror, I found another cycling discipline to sample. Circuit racing on pavement at Pacific Raceways tickled my interest. It was also meant to be a fitness bridge into training for cyclocross season. I leveraged my relationship with some of the Fell Swoop racers to help me stay out of trouble and more safely learn the ropes.

I stepped into my first event guided by the "run what 'ya brung" mantra. My gravel bike, designed as much for cyclocross, was outfitted with road tires and sent into battle.

Race Day One 7/6/2021

My goals were pretty simple going into my first event. Most importantly I needed to stay upright and not pull any bonehead moves that put my fellow competitors at risk. Apparently the skills learned riding in the gravel peleton translated well. After just a lap or two I was relaxed in the pack. My instincts prevented me from committing any pack racing etiquette violations.

My secondary goal was more broad. I wanted to get a taste of the various scenarios that take place in a typical circuit race. I spent time 'sitting in' mid pack to gain comfort in tight quarters. I moved to the back to feel the 'yo-yo' and benefit from more draft affect. I spent some time near the front to witness the strong racers push the pace up or make break away attempts.

At one point I even signaled a Fell Swooper to get on my wheel, worked up to the front, and pushed up the pace. My effort did little to affect the outcome of the race. It did allow another check mark on the list of first time racing experiences.

At three laps to go I pulled the plug. A break of five riders was off the front and the peleton was strung out and chasing in earnest. I could feel the fatigue creeping in and worried my bike handling might begin to suffer. I flicked an elbow to warn the rider behind that he would need to fill my position and then found a wide section of the tarmac to pull out line. The peloton continued on to a bunch sprint finish. I pedaled solo to the line content that I avoided any big mistakes.

Ibis Hakka MX impersonating a road race bicycle.

In the days that followed my first all pavement bike race I took stock.

My bike handling was up to the task. My legs were not. Two months without structured training had taken the edge off my fitness. My Ibis Hakka MX was both familiar and comfortable at Pacific Raceways. But it was not the best tool for the job. Most importantly I had fun and wanted to give it another go.

Structured training resumed immediately. I didn't need peak fitness to enjoy racing at PR but I did need to regain some of what was lost. I simple goal of one hour of intensity per week along with a moderate amount of volume would likely move the fitness needle in the right direction. Five weeks seemed long enough to restore some strength and I circled the last four Tuesdays in August as my targeted race dates.

My gravel bike was an imperfect road race bike. I had fitted a larger chainring and skinnier tires. Both changes helped but they were just lipstick. There exist plenty of bikes designed for road racing but the race garage contained none. Mike, a good friend of similar height, did have a suitable candidate. A borrow agreement was reached and his older Calfee Tetra Pro was transferred into my possession. I hadn't ridden a proper road race bike in a while. The Calfee seemed pretty quick. A set of used carbon aero wheels were found on Craigslist which only added to that sprightly feeling. 

Mikes older Calfee Tetra Pro was an ideal tool for fast laps around a paved race course.

 
Before I arrived for my second race I checked in with team Fell Swoop. I inquired if they might guide me in learning the more tactical aspects of circuit racing and if they might accept my offer to 'work' with the team. They accepted and I enjoyed being on the 'inside' for the pre-race tactical chatter. With near zero tactical experience I could offer only limited help. Covering or bringing back breaks that lacked a Fell Swooper was my only assignment.

Race Day Two 8/10/2021

My second race wasn't all that much different than the first. I continuted spending time mid pack getting the feel for how riders move about the peleton. I floated to the front to watch riders make their moves. I covered a few when I could. When Fell Swooper Thomas got off the front with ten other riders I contributed nothing to the chase. Towards the end, when the break away group was caught, I moved up towards the front. The pace was high and I had not yet been in the thick of a sprint finish. As we neared the end of the final lap the pace was up and riders were aggressively jostling for position. Forty five seconds from the finish my nerves got the best of me and I gracefully pulled out of the pack. The 'Sprint finish' check box would remain unchecked yet again.

Race Day Three 8/17/2021

As I was climbing the steep bit of the tactical learning curve the Fell Swoopers were beginning to become comfortable with me within their ranks. Thomas was lying third on season points and the team intended a more deliberate effort to support him via a lead out train. I offered to work towards this goal and a rough plan was in place before the race.

The lead out plan became moot as we learned we would be racing the 'Escape Route' course. Escape Route utilized the back section of Pacific Raceways which included a small descent and climb. That climb, as short as it is, disrupts any lead out trains. In the positive column I would get to experience a new set of tactical challenges related to this course.

The first lap down the hill set me on my heels. The peloton grew wings and we flew at speeds North of 40 m.p.h. After each trip down a few strong riders pushed the pace climbing back up the other side and the peloton was forced to answer.

Near the end of the second lap I was given an opportunity to check off another racing experience check box. A group of eight strong climbers, including a Fell Swooper, had created a small gap climbing up the hill. I followed the wheel of the rider leading the chase effort. When his elbow flicked I took the front and performed my best false tempo. A feather could have knocked me to the ground when I looked over my shoulder ten or fifteen seconds later. The peloton had slowed behind me creating a small gap. Appreciating this gift I pushed 650 watts for the next fifteen seconds to bridge up the the break away group. At about this time a much stronger rider also chose to bridge from mid pack. But the peloton was not offering a second gift. They chased and the break away was caught shortly thereafter. I did not check the box 'Get into a break'.

The remainder of my race was spent staying clear of trouble on the descent, patrolling the front, and discovering that my ability to endure the short climb was above average. The break away group was well up the road but the peloton would not finish easy. On the final trip up I had some matches to burn. Two riders, including Fell Swooper Z, charged up and I responded. Z ran out of steam leaving me second wheel. Fifteen seconds later I was leading the peloton within sight of the finish but without any tactical direction. I had no Fell Swoopers on my wheel and no chance of holding a finish effort from this far out. I kept moderate pressure on the pedals and let the strong riders come past and get on with their finish sprint. Checking the box 'Observe sprint finish' offered little consolation.

Race Day Four 8/24/2021

After my previous week's efforts the Swoopers were warming up to my help. I adopted the title 'subcontractor' as I worked for the team but lacked a membership card. This day Fell Swoop turned out thirteen teammates and me. This was just over one quarter of the field. Plans were adopted to make many attacks and simply wear down any and all chasers. I was given the tasks of covering a particular competitor and jumping onto breaks when feasible. 

This race also offered a new tactical twist as it was a 'point per lap' scoring format. In short, the first and second riders over the line each lap gained points. Most accumulated points at the finish was the winner.

The Fell Swoop team prepares to race at Pacific Raceways. Photo courtesy Z-Dog of team Fell Swoop.

Just as in the week before, the plans fell apart almost immediately. The first break away attempt of the night, literally from the start line, succeeded and had a rider named Ted and Fell Swooper Travis. Neither Ted's team nor Fell Swoop were willing to chase and they stayed off the front for the entire race. They also collected every point which earned Travis second rung on the podium. This made for a less than exciting race for the rest of us.

Oddly some riders still chose to sprint for the finish line every lap. With an abbreviated sprint group I realized my 'Sprint Finish' box could be checked in a relative safe environment. At about the halfway point of the race I positioned myself about fifth wheel as we approached the line. I rode that wheel as long as possible. My timing was pretty good. My ten second power, just under 1000 watts, was as good as this non sprinter could expect. Two other riders powered past before we reached the line and I shut it down. Box checked. Finally.

On the final lap I participated in an attempt at a lead out train. I took my position in line. I took my turn at the front. I put in a big effort. But we weren't able to sustain the train to the finish line. It was an excellent trial by fire and helped me comprehend just how difficult it is to execute a proper lead out train.

Race Day Five 8/31/2021

Our previous week's lead out effort catalyzed more conversation around another attempt. The final race of the PR season was scheduled to be only 30 minutes in length. The pace was hot. A few surges occurred at the front. I covered when I could. But the high speeds curbed the enthusiasm for a serious break away attempt. Most of the race was spent holding on to whichever fast wheel came my way. On the final lap Fell Swoop again attempted to assemble a lead out train and again it was not sustained to the finish. Another big effort on my part solidified the team's appreciation of my help.

Conclusion

On the subject of circuit racing I concluded the following: I stayed upright. I didn't embarrass myself. I had a ball.

Circuit racing at Pacific Raceways was quite rewarding. I went in with the goals of a new experience and some gained fitness. I came out with a strong appreciation for the trifecta of strength, tactics, and teamwork that is required to compete at the front. I cannot guarantee how much circuit racing I will do next year. But, as a clue, I can confirm the renewal of my 'bike borrow' agreement.

Acknowledgment

The success of this endeavor required help from others. The members of Fell Swoop, especially Z, lowered my apprehensions over pavement racing and welcomed me in with open arms. I don't know that I could have crossed over without their help. On the material side, I need to thank Mike for loaning me a competitive and beautiful collection of carbon, titanium, and aluminum in the form of the Calfee Tetra Pro. Unlike my gravel bike, it has been a near perfect tool for the job.