Naju MCT Race Report / 나주 MCT 후기

Last weekend was the 3^rd round of the Korean National Amateur Series (MCT) and it is the only course of the 6 round series that is consistently suited to my abilities (flat and likely for a mass sprint finish).  Given this, I tried to prepare as best as I could despite my work situation and a friend visiting for a week prior just before the race.  The best prep ride I had was definitely the Watts Century which was a hundred mile group ride with multiple long climbs included.  That plus lots of mid-week mountain bike & road rides before work plus squats at the gym all winter was my main training base. 

I have a good history racing in Naju with a 2^nd, 8^th and 1^st place finish to my record but I wasn’t feeling as strong as I did last year for the race.  I was still confident that a top 10 was well within my reach though.  The race started off fast and despite numerous attacks nothing got more than about 10 seconds in front of the pack.  I felt good and stayed sheltered until the last 5 km when I started to move up.  About 1km before the finish there was a tight corner and I knew it would be critical to be in the top 10 going into it because it could easily cause the pack to split. 

Watts cycling had other ideas though and they had 3 guys at the front leading out their leader Tim Rochford for the sprint.  I wasn’t as far up as I wanted to be so I passed several riders in the gutter to jump into about 8^th place in line going into the corner but the Watts team took it hard enough that they pulled off the front of the line.  Looking around I knew no one in front of me was going to start pulling but out of the corner of my eye I saw the yellow jersey and winner of the first 2 races Chang Jin Ahn come flying up the side of us.  I jumped on his wheel and we came in to sprint for 2^nd place with Tim holding us off by 2 seconds at the finish.  I wasn’t able to come around Chang Jin but still held on for 3^rd which I was satisfied with.  It would have been hard to beat Tim even if I would have been on his wheel going into the last corner given the perfect lead out his teammates gave him. 

Our team placed well with 3 riders in the top 20 for 2^nd place in the team competition on the day.  Which puts us as the 5^th ranked team in the series currently and myself ranked 14^th overall.  There are 3 races left and I would like to work my way into a top 10 spot in the series.  I will be more than satisfied if our team is able to hold onto a top 5 spot as well. 

The next day was a circuit race and TTT at the F1 race track in Mokpo.  We majorly screwed up the tactics in the circuit race to miss the breakaway and hence prize money spots but redeemed ourselves with a respectable top 10 in the TTT.  All of the races were super fast with over a 42km/hr average for the TTT and 43km/hr for the Naju road race.  The highlight for me though of racing at the F1 track is going out for crab afterwards.  They have this amazing restaurant which serves raw crab meat marinated in sweet red pepper paste and then served with crab soup. It’s definitely one of my favorite foods in Korea and was a great way to end an overall successful weekend. 

This was also my first week on my new Cipollini Bond bike and I have to say I’m very pleased with performance.  Light, stiff, responsive and comfortable as well.  I’m definitely looking forward to racing more on it.  For the next 2 weeks there are no races but my team is going to a pension in the woods this weekend for a sort of team building camp and to do some photos for the sponsors.  Next up there is another fun team time trial and then the next race of the MCT series which will be on a rolling course with a small hill for the finish.  If I can keep training well I’m hoping for a good finish there as well.  (Pics Below)

지난 주말에 시합 두 개 나갔습니다.  토요일에 MCT  3번째 나주 대회 탔고 일요일에 영암 F1경기장에서 써킷 레이스 와 티티티 탔습니다.  나주 에 우리 팀 약속에 땅 같은 곳 입니다.  항상 탈 때 마다 누가 포디엄 오로 가고나 단체 일등 합니다.  작년에 제가 나주에서 일등 해서 이번에도 잘 타 고 싶었습니다.  작년 보다 준비 좀 부족 했지만 웨트 하고 주중 남산 라이딩 와 와츠 센추리 장거리 라이딩 하면서 준비했어요.  

그리고 이번에 우리 팀 새 자전거 다 받았습니다.  내가 치폴리니 본드 캐모 새 깔 로 선택 했습니다.  자전거 가 아주 stiff 와 comfortable 하니까 자신 있었어요!  

이번에 나주 전략은 작년처럼 그냥 팩에서 마지만 5키로 남을 때 까지 잘 쉬면서 라스트 잘 치고 싶었습니다.  이번에 코스 조금 달랐지만 아주 빨은 코스이었고 브레이크어웨이 절 때 못 가는 코스 이였어요.  1키로 남을 때 약간 어려운 커브 있어서 난 그때 10등 정도 되야 일등 가능성 있겠다 생각했습니다.  그래서 그 정도 자리 잡았습니다.  하지만 와츠 팀 다른 계획 있었어요.  커브에서 앞에 3명 너무 세게 타면서 4등 사람 못 달라갔어요.  그래서 1키로 남을 때 갑자기 와츠 3명 50미터 gap 있었어요.  그리고 내가 앞에 있는 사람들 안가고 있었어요.  근데 갑자기 안창진 선서 갔어 서 내가 바로 뒤에 달라갔어요.  우리 1등 했던 Tim 선수 못 잡았지만 2,3등으로 들어왔어요.  난 창진 넘어 가봤지만 못넘어서 3등했습니다.  이거 아주 만족 한 결과이었습니다. 

우리 팀 결과 도 잘나왔어요, 20등 내 3명 있어서 단체 2등 했어요!  이제는 우리 단체 랭킹 5등 이고 난 개인 14등 입니다.  앞으로 난10등 들어가는 목표로 타겠습니다.  그리고 우리 팀 5등잡을수있으면 아주 만족 한 MCT 시즌 될거같습니다.  

일요일에 영암에서 써킷 결과는 전략 잘 못 잡았기 때문에 잘 안나 왔지만 TTT 십등 내로 들어 와서 만족 했어요.  앞으로 시합 전에 팀 회의 하고 그날 전략 잡아야겠다 ㅎㅎ.  근데 항상 F1시합 타로 올 때 시합 보다 계장 먹는거 도 기대 합니다.  이번에도 게살비빔밥 와 꽃게 탕 맛있게 먹었어요!

앞으로 우리 팀 야유회 있고 싱싱 TTT있고 그리고 그 다음 MCT 영주에서 합니다.  영주는 코스 아직 안타봤지만 열심히 준비 해서 좋은 결과로 타볼게요!   

Gapyoung Race Report: Can't win em all 가평 MCT 후가 : 어차피 모두 승리하지 못한다 ㅎㅎ

Last weekend was the second race of the MCT series.  This time the race was held in Gapyoung about 1 hour north east of Seoul on course with one medium size hill and lots of rolling, curvy hills along the North Han River.  Our team was well represented with 9 riders and we were hoping to improve our team placing from the previous race.  We need to be ranked in the top 20 teams at the end of the season to race the Tour de Korea and stay in the top league next season.

It was set to be 5 laps of the course for a total of about 50 miles.  The race started off fine despite the cold weather (about 35F) but after about 1 minute it started raining which would turn the race into a miserable day for most of the pack.  I felt pretty good the first time up the climb but the rain made riding in the pack difficult because of the constant curves on the course there was no place to rest.  That combined with bad air quality that day made my asthma start acting up which hasn’t happened in a while.  So after one lap I pretty much figured out my race was over and had to pull the plug unfortunately.  In these races you need to be within 10% of the leaders time or they pull you so there isn’t much point in trying to finish if you get dropped early on.  It was pretty disappointing but sometimes its impossible to avoid a bad day.  Luckily our team finished well with 3 riders in the top 50 which bumped our overall team rank up to 6^th for the series. 

The next race in the series is my personal favorite for the year being the only totally flat race in the series in Naju about 4 hours south of Seoul.  My plan is to keep weight lifting and doing long rides each weekend to prepare.  Before that though I have the Spyder Bukak hill climb on April 9^th to gauge my fitness.  I also just received my new mountain bike from Elfama.  It’s a Fantasia G 27.5 inch carbon hard tail.  I’m looking forward to ripping around the trails and trying out the new wheel size.  Our team also received new sunglasses and helmets from Uvex.  They all look great and the helmet fits my head perfectly. (www.elfama.com)  (www.uvex.com)

지난주 가평 MCT 다녀 왔습니다.  이번 시합 개인 족 하고 싶은 결과 가 안 나왔지만 팀 결과가 잘 나왔고 다음 시합 잘 타고 싶은 연기 가 받았어요 ㅎㅎ. 

가평 코스가 언덕 도 있고 북한강 옆에 탈라 가는 도로 타니까 curvy 재미있는 코스 입니다.  하지만 이번 시합 비와서 많이 힘들어 졌어요.  날씨 도 추웠고 공기 도 안 좋아서 난 오랜 만에 시합 때 천식이 심했어요 ㅜㅜ.  첫 lap 선두 그룹 잘 달라 갔지만 이미 시합 결과 알고 있어서 그냥 2lap 타고 내렸어요 ㅜㅜ.  난 자전거 인생 시작 할 때부터 일년 한두 번식 이런 날 있었어요.  가금 어줄 수 없이 못 타요.  하지만 우리 팀 어진, 근혁, 명철이 타 완주 하고 우리 팀 랭킹 이제 6등으로 올랐어요!  다음에 나도 도와 주고 싶어요 ㅎㅎ. 

다음 시합은 내가 작년 1등 했던 나주 대회입니다.  코스 조금 바궜 지만 이번 에도 일등 목표로 나가려고 해요.  그래서 열심히 웨이트 하고 주말에 장거리 라이딩 할겁니다. 

올해 우리 팀 스폰서 바궈서 나도 MTB 바궜어요.  어제 신 ELFAMA FANTASIA G 받았습니다.  27.5인치 바귀 기대하고 일주 일에 한번 정 도 산 에서 타는 목표입니다.  주로 우면산 이나 율동공워에서 타요.  시합 도 올해 다시 나가볼게요. 

팀 헬멧 와 고글 도 새로 받았습니다.  올해 우벡스 로 쓸 거에요.  오랜 만에 내 머리 랑 맞는 헬멧 쓰니까 기분 좋습니다.ㅎㅎ  (www.elfama.com) (www.uvex.com)

First Race of 2017 / 2017 첫 시합 후기

I haven’t blogged in a while but I decided I would start again this year.  A few new things for this season, my team changed sponsors and we will be on Cipollini bikes this season we also have 2 new younger members who are both really strong which gives us a more well balanced team.  Also the Korean Cycling Federation has changed the format of the races and now there are 2 “leagues” one consisting of the top 30 teams from last year and a lower league with everyone else who isn’t on one of these teams.  The bottom 10 teams from the top league will move down and the top 10 from the lower league will move up next year. 

This past Saturday was the first MCT (Masters Cycling Tour or basically the Korean National Amateur Series)  It was held in Gangjin County about 5 hours south of Seoul where it’s a few degrees warmer.  The course would ordinarily suit me pretty well but this early in the season the 2 mile climb we tackle 3 times before a flat finish is a bit tough for me. 

Last year at this race I got dropped the 3^rd time up the climb and finished just behind the lead group so I made my goal for this year to finish in the lead pack.  The weather was pretty cold but a pretty nice day to race (40F and sunny).  The first lap up the climb I felt pretty strong but the second lap I realized I was gonna get dropped the 3^rd time up and have to find a way back on.  I decided the only way I was gonna do that is to go my own pace up the climb and then jump on what ever group I could catch afterwards.  Luckily after the downhill I was in a group of about 20 riders about 20 seconds off the main pack (of 40 riders or so) and I thought we would catch up.  We dangled in that position for the next few miles and finally got close with about 5 miles left.  Then the guy in front of me sat up forcing me to attack to catch the pack.  I did manage to catch up but used most of my remaining energy to do so.  The finish was pretty wide open but I didn’t have the legs to put myself in a good position and just coasted in at the back of the pack fro 55^th out of 300.  One of my new teammates was also in the lead group and our team ended up placing 11^th which isn’t bad considering the course doesn’t suit us.  This was also the first race in Korea I’ve ever been in which featured no crashes what so ever.  It’s a good indication that the new league system is doing a good job of separating based on ability.  The next race is in a month and promises more climbing and a flat finish. 

The day after the race I went out skiing with former Asian Games gold medalist Seon Ho Park.  A bit weird to go from bike racing to skiing but I wanted to get on snow some more before the season ended.  The weekend fun didn’t stop there though.  I woke up at 5am Monday with food poisoning (norovirus).  After Saturday’s race we went out for raw oysters and 3 out of my 10 teammates got sick!  Its Tuesday night now and I’m feeling a lot better but it was not a fun way to start the week! I’m going to Japan on vacation for the next few days but after I get back it will be time to get a bit more serious on the bike!

(pics at the bottom)

오랜 만에 브로그 안썼네요.  올해 다시 써볼게요.  이번 시즌 사황 조금 바꿨어요.  우리 팀 스폰 칲포리니 로 바꿔서 3월부터 자전거 바궐거에요. 2명 팀 새로 들어왔어요 근혁 와 명철.  더 어린 친구들 들어오니까 올해 팀 에너지 와 결과 좋을거같아요.  그리고 MCT 도 리그 식으로 바궈서 시합 도 안전할거아요. 

지난주 토요일 MCT 1차 강진 시합 타고왔어요.  코스는 항상 같은거지만 4키로 언덕 넘어가야하니까 나랑 조금 안맞아요.  그래도 열심히 타려고 강진 내려갔어요. 

작년에 마지막 바궈에 나 언덕에서 바졌지만 이번에 시합 목표는 선두 그룹이랑 완주 하려고이였어요.  첫 2 바귀 잘탔지만 3번째 난 못달라 갈거라고 알고있어서 그냥 내 페이스 타고 다운힐에 잡아 봐야겠다 했어요.  마지막 다운힐 끝나고 20명 이랑 선두 그룹 한 20초 뒤에있었어요.  근데 계속 안잡고있었어요.  10키로 정도 남을때 거의 잡았지만 갑자기 내앞에 있는 사람 페다링 거의 몸쳤어요.  그래서 나 그냥 스피린트 취고 잡았는데 나랑 같이 타는 어진 바졌어요 (미안해 어진 ㅎㅎ).  근데 그렇게 타니까 라스트 치는 힘이 없었어요.  좋은 자리 잡으려고 했는데  힘이 없어 그냥 펙 뒤에 들어왔어요.  그래도 선두 그룹 이랑 들어왔으니까 성공이였어요.  300명쯤에 55등 그리고 우리 팀 11등 했으니까 결과 나쁘진않았어요.  우리 팀 새 멤버 근혁 도 아주 잘탔어요 (첫 시함 인데도 선두 그룹!)

일요일에 나 박선호형 이곤지암 스키 타로 갔다왔어요.  토요일 자전거 시합 타고 일요일 스키 조금 이상 하지만 눈 있을때 많아 타고싶었어요.  재미겠타고 왔다가 월요일 부터 갑자기 배가 아팠어요 ㅜㅜㅜ.  강진 대회 끝나고 생굴 먹었는데 우리팀 10명 중에 3명 아팠어요!!  이제 거의 다나았지만 월요일 너무 힘들었어요 ㅎㅎㅎ.  이번 주 일본 놀로 가지만 와서 가평 MCT 시합 열심히 준비 할게요.  

First Race of 2017 / 2017 시즌 첫 시합 후기

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I haven’t blogged in a while but I decided I would start again this year.  A few new things for this season, my team changed sponsors and we will be on Cipollini bikes this season we also have 2 new younger members who are both really strong which gives us a more well balanced team.  Also the Korean Cycling Federation has changed the format of the races and now there are 2 “leagues” one consisting of the top 30 teams from last year and a lower league with everyone else who isn’t on one of these teams.  The bottom 10 teams from the top league will move down and the top 10 from the lower league will move up next year. 

This past Saturday was the first MCT (Masters Cycling Tour or basically the Korean National Amateur Series)  It was held in Gangjin County about 5 hours south of Seoul where it’s a few degrees warmer.  The course would ordinarily suit me pretty well but this early in the season the 2 mile climb we tackle 3 times before a flat finish is a bit tough for me. 

Last year at this race I got dropped the 3^rd time up the climb and finished just behind the lead group so I made my goal for this year to finish in the lead pack.  The weather was pretty cold but a pretty nice day to race (40F and sunny).  The first lap up the climb I felt pretty strong but the second lap I realized I was gonna get dropped the 3^rd time up and have to find a way back on.  I decided the only way I was gonna do that is to go my own pace up the climb and then jump on what ever group I could catch afterwards.  Luckily after the downhill I was in a group of about 20 riders about 20 seconds off the main pack (of 40 riders or so) and I thought we would catch up.  We dangled in that position for the next few miles and finally got close with about 5 miles left.  Then the guy in front of me sat up forcing me to attack to catch the pack.  I did manage to catch up but used most of my remaining energy to do so.  The finish was pretty wide open but I didn’t have the legs to put myself in a good position and just coasted in at the back of the pack fro 55^th out of 300.  One of my new teammates was also in the lead group and our team ended up placing 11^th which isn’t bad considering the course doesn’t suit us.  This was also the first race in Korea I’ve ever been in which featured no crashes what so ever.  It’s a good indication that the new league system is doing a good job of separating based on ability.  The next race is in a month and promises more climbing and a flat finish. 

The day after the race I went out skiing with former Asian Games gold medalist Seon Ho Park.  A bit weird to go from bike racing to skiing but I wanted to get on snow some more before the season ended.  The weekend fun didn’t stop there though.  I woke up at 5am Monday with food poisoning (norovirus).  After Saturday’s race we went out for raw oysters and 3 out of my 10 teammates got sick!  Its Tuesday night now and I’m feeling a lot better but it was not a fun way to start the week! I’m going to Japan on vacation for the next few days but after I get back it will be time to get a bit more serious on the bike!

(pics at the bottom)

오랜 만에 브로그 안썼네요.  올해 다시 써볼게요.  이번 시즌 사황 조금 바꿨어요.  우리 팀 스폰 칲포리니 로 바꿔서 3월부터 자전거 바궐거에요. 2명 팀 새로 들어왔어요 근혁 와 명철.  더 어린 친구들 들어오니까 올해 팀 에너지 와 결과 좋을거같아요.  그리고 MCT 도 리그 식으로 바궈서 시합 도 안전할거아요. 

지난주 토요일 MCT 1차 강진 시합 타고왔어요.  코스는 항상 같은거지만 4키로 언덕 넘어가야하니까 나랑 조금 안맞아요.  그래도 열심히 타려고 강진 내려갔어요. 

작년에 마지막 바궈에 나 언덕에서 바졌지만 이번에 시합 목표는 선두 그룹이랑 완주 하려고이였어요.  첫 2 바귀 잘탔지만 3번째 난 못달라 갈거라고 알고있어서 그냥 내 페이스 타고 다운힐에 잡아 봐야겠다 했어요.  마지막 다운힐 끝나고 20명 이랑 선두 그룹 한 20초 뒤에있었어요.  근데 계속 안잡고있었어요.  10키로 정도 남을때 거의 잡았지만 갑자기 내앞에 있는 사람 페다링 거의 몸쳤어요.  그래서 나 그냥 스피린트 취고 잡았는데 나랑 같이 타는 어진 바졌어요 (미안해 어진 ㅎㅎ).  근데 그렇게 타니까 라스트 치는 힘이 없었어요.  좋은 자리 잡으려고 했는데  힘이 없어 그냥 펙 뒤에 들어왔어요.  그래도 선두 그룹 이랑 들어왔으니까 성공이였어요.  300명쯤에 55등 그리고 우리 팀 11등 했으니까 결과 나쁘진않았어요.  우리 팀 새 멤버 근혁 도 아주 잘탔어요 (첫 시함 인데도 선두 그룹!)

일요일에 나 박선호형 이곤지암 스키 타로 갔다왔어요.  토요일 자전거 시합 타고 일요일 스키 조금 이상 하지만 눈 있을때 많아 타고싶었어요.  재미겠타고 왔다가 월요일 부터 갑자기 배가 아팠어요 ㅜㅜㅜ.  강진 대회 끝나고 생굴 먹었는데 우리팀 10명 중에 3명 아팠어요!!  이제 거의 다나았지만 월요일 너무 힘들었어요 ㅎㅎㅎ.  이번 주 일본 놀로 가지만 와서 가평 MCT 시합 열심히 준비 할게요.