1985, I was sitting on the floor of my apartment in FLA and happened to turn on the TV and this race was on...that set the hook in me and I started racing.
Thanks. I'm 71, wife won't allow a return because she knows I'll have to ride in younger faster age groups. Still riding & love the sport. Keep up the good work👏👊
@@ronaldhoward7908 I hear you. I have been doing more time trials for safety reasons. This was likely my last competition at Somerville, unless they introduce an older age group. It was just too sketchy.
Nice work with the video! The one factor on that finishing sprint that was a killer (that I messed up) was the cross headwind from the right - if you sprinted to the left you had an advantage - Allesandro over Dave and Mark over me.
Jeff, thank you for the comment and congratulations on a good finish! You cited yet another factor in the standard hectic sprint finish. Very happy to finish safe and sound!
Lots of rim brakes in this field (not that it makes any difference in a dry crit) My old mentor actually won this race, back in 1955. He went on to the Olympics in 1956 and a three year Pro career in 1957. He started racing again when he turned 60, and raced for another 15 years.
@@mikem4814 Yes. After his career as a Bike Racer was over, he moved to Chicago and worked for Schwinn, as a salesman. Last year, he finally moved back to Canada.
The sprint begins with three laps to go, you have to defend your position. Learn to read the race, watch during the race where does the pack typically have a pause. Don't waste your energy moving around if your not going to break away. Stay to the inside to give yourself a way to move up, it's hard putting your face in the wind sometimes but sprinting is a chess match. I know Dave Bonser over 40 years, he know how to read a race and where to be and where not to be. When the pack pauses move up quickly, sometimes it only takes 10 hard pedal strokes. You look like a strong rider once you get up front at the end you have to defend it because they will come around you. Watch how Bonser keeps defending his position, because he knows they will come around the second the pack takes a breather. I am a sprinter and I wouldn't show my face up front until the last 5 laps, I would let them pull me around and save my energy for the end. I'd watch how the race was playing out lap after lap and I knew exactly when and where I could move up. Good luck stay safe.
Thanks for the detailed comment! Very hard to have a perfect race, and I think I mentioned that knowing everyone in the field and who to stick with is a big help. Regrettably, in 2024 I was only a spectator. I decided from 2023's race that it was just too sketchy and with age safety rises up as a priority. I don't know your name, wonder if we've ever raced together? I took some footage of this years race, hope to get it on RUclips.
@@mikem4814 I don't blame ya I always hated riding or racing in the rain. I admit I"m a fair weather rider. I know my abilities I'm worried about someone else taking me down. Riders today are so squirrely compared to years ago. All categories racing all together can be dangerous. Just watching rider posted videos on youtube make me nervous. I talk to the tv telling them to move up, I have no idea who is riding or their abilities. Some guys are very strong but spend the race constantly moving up by the end they can't compete for the finish. The last lap is the only one that matters. Have you eve raced at the velodrome.
1985, I was sitting on the floor of my apartment in FLA and happened to turn on the TV and this race was on...that set the hook in me and I started racing.
Thanks for commenting! Yup, if you enjoy an adrenaline rush, this is for you!
Good video Mike! See you out on the road.
Huge 55 field. Great job dude.
Thank you! Yes, the “geriatric“ racing population keeps expanding!
Nice # 9 👍🏼💪🏼 .
Thank you!
69 and racing, much respect!
Huge field for a 55+ race!
Thank you! I am grateful to mom and dad for the good genes🙏
Nice job!
Great race. Did 70+ have to race in that group also( Bobby Philips)?
Yup. 55+ is the oldest age group available. Thank you for the compliment and for commenting!
Thanks. I'm 71, wife won't allow a return because she knows I'll have to ride in younger faster age groups. Still riding & love the sport. Keep up the good work👏👊
@@ronaldhoward7908 I hear you. I have been doing more time trials for safety reasons. This was likely my last competition at Somerville, unless they introduce an older age group. It was just too sketchy.
Great video Mike, I was the guy that took off on the last lap - no sprint in me so had to try something. Nice job finishing 9th!
Thanks for the compliment and for commenting. I reviewed and saw your move. Very hard to get away from a group like this!
Nice work with the video! The one factor on that finishing sprint that was a killer (that I messed up) was the cross headwind from the right - if you sprinted to the left you had an advantage - Allesandro over Dave and Mark over me.
Jeff, thank you for the comment and congratulations on a good finish! You cited yet another factor in the standard hectic sprint finish. Very happy to finish safe and sound!
Lots of rim brakes in this field (not that it makes any difference in a dry crit) My old mentor actually won this race, back in 1955. He went on to the Olympics in 1956 and a three year Pro career in 1957. He started racing again when he turned 60, and raced for another 15 years.
I had to look this one up is it Pat Murphy?
@@mikem4814 Yes. After his career as a Bike Racer was over, he moved to Chicago and worked for Schwinn, as a salesman.
Last year, he finally moved back to Canada.
I would have tried to soft pedal into the turn that everyone was coasting to. Great opportunity to make up some spots if you had a clear lane
Hi Mike, Great video! I definitely don’t like the narrow chute on the homestraight.
The sprint begins with three laps to go, you have to defend your position. Learn to read the race, watch during the race where does the pack typically have a pause. Don't waste your energy moving around if your not going to break away. Stay to the inside to give yourself a way to move up, it's hard putting your face in the wind sometimes but sprinting is a chess match. I know Dave Bonser over 40 years, he know how to read a race and where to be and where not to be. When the pack pauses move up quickly, sometimes it only takes 10 hard pedal strokes. You look like a strong rider once you get up front at the end you have to defend it because they will come around you. Watch how Bonser keeps defending his position, because he knows they will come around the second the pack takes a breather. I am a sprinter and I wouldn't show my face up front until the last 5 laps, I would let them pull me around and save my energy for the end. I'd watch how the race was playing out lap after lap and I knew exactly when and where I could move up. Good luck stay safe.
Thanks for the detailed comment! Very hard to have a perfect race, and I think I mentioned that knowing everyone in the field and who to stick with is a big help. Regrettably, in 2024 I was only a spectator. I decided from 2023's race that it was just too sketchy and with age safety rises up as a priority. I don't know your name, wonder if we've ever raced together? I took some footage of this years race, hope to get it on RUclips.
@@mikem4814 I don't blame ya I always hated riding or racing in the rain. I admit I"m a fair weather rider. I know my abilities I'm worried about someone else taking me down. Riders today are so squirrely compared to years ago. All categories racing all together can be dangerous. Just watching rider posted videos on youtube make me nervous. I talk to the tv telling them to move up, I have no idea who is riding or their abilities. Some guys are very strong but spend the race constantly moving up by the end they can't compete for the finish. The last lap is the only one that matters. Have you eve raced at the velodrome.
@@richardtheu4951Training now for Masters Track Nationals!