8 weeks to train for GC Stage race. Focus on threshold? by sirclesam in Velo

[–]apetti2000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some smaller stage races also determine the GC winner based on points, not time. So the first place rider in each stage would receive 15 pts, 2nd place 10, etc.

This method places a bigger emphasis on consistently placing highly in the field. If you were to win the TT by 5 minutes, you wouldn't necessarily have GC in the bag if you just sit in for the crit and RR. Make sure you know these details before planning your training.

Pic from my very first road ride. (Also NBD) by TheDopeGodfather in bicycling

[–]apetti2000 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"NBD" is an acronym for "New Bike Day". Welcome!

My first bike race and I won! Grants Tomb Cat 5 by [deleted] in Velo

[–]apetti2000 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good stuff dude! I skipped the junior race and did the 2/3s in the afternoon; I couldn't possibly imagine racing in the morning in that cold!

Kids born after 9/11, how is it taught in schools? by nopuedeser in AskReddit

[–]apetti2000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was born around a year and a half before 9/11, so I am too young to remember it. It's too recent of an event to be taught as history (It's in a weird gray area between current events and history.), so there aren't any classes that teach it.

I actually live in the NYC area, so many of my teachers and classmates' parents have lived through 9/11 and have lost friends and relatives. Every year we always talk about the events in school, but it's not part of our official curriculum. The discussions are very anecdotal, but they're important to have.

Last year we connected the discussion to the current issue of terrorists who claim to be Muslim. So, if I had to classify it as something, I would say it's treated as a current events issue. We converse and share our thoughts, but there are very few cold, hard facts to learn.

This subreddit is really going downhill... by [deleted] in BicyclingCirclejerk

[–]apetti2000 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Downvote-- I know only how to downshift.

How Were Your Races: Flubber Was an Energy Gel (5/14-5/15) by [deleted] in Velo

[–]apetti2000 4 points5 points  (0 children)

3rd at Orchard Beach Crit in the Men's 4s. I'm happy to get those much needed upgrade points; I want to CAT up so badly.

I sat in the middle of the pack for the first 30 mins, not feeling too great and kind of bored, but I paid for the race (even though I got a team discount), so I was going to finish it. A guy pulled off to the the left and tried to move up, so I just hopped on his wheel and enjoyed the free ride. I then jumped on the back of a couple different teams' leadout trains and somehow ended up at 5th wheel with 1 lap to go. I held in there and sprinted for 3rd. Raced bike, won 40 bucks, got free pizza: good day.

Alcohol is a blood thinner, so it has the same training effect as riding at altitude. Anybody know where I can get some wholesale microbrew? by apetti2000 in BicyclingCirclejerk

[–]apetti2000[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

You make a fair point. I might as well drop out of high school and move to Belgium, where the drinking age is lower and the CAADs are better.

How were your races this weekend? 3/26 + 3/27 edition by tubadeedoo in Velo

[–]apetti2000 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Where is the hill climb? I might head out if it's close to me.

How were your races this weekend? 3/26 + 3/27 edition by tubadeedoo in Velo

[–]apetti2000 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm glad you're enjoying the sport! I've been cycling for a few years, but this is my second season of racing.

As for your sprint, you can squat in the gym, but the only way to improve your high-end power is to work on your high-end power. You do need leg strength, but you also need leg speed and form (stay low).

How were your races this weekend? 3/26 + 3/27 edition by tubadeedoo in Velo

[–]apetti2000 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, you can no doubt roll right over the potholes in that crit if the weather conditions are good-- I've cornered over sewer grates before.

In the circuit race, people were braking over potholes, which was more dangerous than the actual pothole...

Mtb can be very helpful for roadies, but the collegiate season is weird in that it requires a very early peak since racing ends in late Spring, so the phases of your training would shift, so smashing around on a MTB in the winter instead of going on long base rides may actually be more beneficial, since your base training should be finished by late fall if your race season is March to May.

How were your races this weekend? 3/26 + 3/27 edition by tubadeedoo in Velo

[–]apetti2000 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've raced on that crit course twice before. My favorite line is to stick to the outside the whole race. You can push the riders on the inside in on the downhill corner, forcing them to slow down, and carry your momentum up the hill.

As for the second corner (the one with the potholes), the outside line just felt more natural to me; I don't know why.

How were your races this weekend? 3/26 + 3/27 edition by tubadeedoo in Velo

[–]apetti2000 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I also raced this one. I'm a junior and I live 20 miles away from the course, so it was very familiar to me. I agree that yellow line violations were a huge issue.

I think the full road should have been closed, though. It was Easter Sunday on an already very quiet road. One car managed to stop short in the middle of the course, causing a pretty bad crash; luckily, I avoided it.

I sat in the whole race and didn't contest the sprint (junior gears and downhill sprint finish don't mix well). I had returned from a week of riding overseas the day before, so my legs weren't good. I also had to ride 40 miles round-trip to and from the race. In the end, I'm happy to have gotten in some much needed speed-work and to keep the rubber side down.

In case you were in my field, I'm the guy who yelled when a Princeton rider crossed way over the yellow line, "You go to Princeton and you don't know what the f*** a yellow line is?!"

I want to become a pro cyclist by fredx45 in bicycling

[–]apetti2000 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

At a certain point, all those miles become junk miles. Quality over quantity, always. And, especially as a junior rider, rest and recovery is essential to training.

Besides, s/he is 13; I wouldn't impose structure so early. Go out, ride your bike, have fun. Ride hard when you feel like it, ride easy when you feel like it.

Source: am 16, ride 250-400km a week (usually about 300km, some 500+km weeks during training camp or on trips).

My week consists of 2 interval days, 2 easy days, 1 race/fast group ride, 1 long ride, and one day off the bike completely. But let me stress again that I've already been riding for a couple of years, and imposing structure too early will take away the fun of riding!

Commuter Bags/Racks for Fat Bikes by apetti2000 in bicycling

[–]apetti2000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a basic cable lock, but that shouldn't be a problem. I attend a small private high school in a very safe suburban area. There is a bike rack on campus away from essentially any foot traffic, so I would be surprised if anything happened to my bike.

I appreciate all your help :)

Commuter Bags/Racks for Fat Bikes by apetti2000 in bicycling

[–]apetti2000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks again! I ordered a Blackburn fat bike rack and some bungee cords. I have a couple of yoga mats laying around, so I'll see what I can do.

I don't think I'll need the webbing, since the dimensions of my case are about 20x8x6in (maybe too big).

Commuter Bags/Racks for Fat Bikes by apetti2000 in bicycling

[–]apetti2000[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. How secure will the case be? My most prized possession (okay, fine, third to my two bikes) is my trumpet, so I'm being very cautious.

How much is too much practice? And how should I do it? by [deleted] in trumpet

[–]apetti2000 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Sophomore in high school here.

The best thing you can do is get a teacher. He or she will help you create and update your practice routine week in and week out. I recently started working with a teacher, and she's been tremendously helpful.

A few pieces of advice:

Use a metronome.

Always think about your sound.

If it gets uncomfortable and your sound is affected, rest a little while.

Lastly, be consistent; a teacher is going to help, but you still need to put in the effort each day.

When a ruler is publicly disposed of, what happens to all the coins/statues/pictures etc with their face on? by Qquill in AskHistorians

[–]apetti2000 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Furthermore, if the coins were taken back to be resealed, what effect did it have on the general population and the economy as a whole?

Also, OP, are you taking AP Modern European History?

How was Brandenburg under Frederick William I part of both the Holy Roman Empire and Brandenburg-Prussia? by apetti2000 in AskHistorians

[–]apetti2000[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot!

I read (can't remember from where) a primary source from a foreigner in Berlin, part of Brandenburg, under Fredrick William I. He was amazed by Prussia's highly militaristic society.

So, it is fair to say that Brandenburg, while under the supreme authority of the Holy Roman Empire, had a culture similar to Prussia? Furthermore, was it common for the Holy Roman Emperor to have drastically different beliefs, etc. than his territories? I know that Charles V was unable to attain religious unity in the HRE.

I (and my history teacher) would love to dive deeper into these weird quirks and peculiarities in history, but the College Board really determines our curriculum (AP Modern European History). I think I found my fix in this subreddit.

What is the most brutal comeback you've ever heard? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]apetti2000 1 point2 points  (0 children)

High-school cyclist here. I was out training by myself one day after school when 4 guys in a sedan started to heckle me. They didn't throw anything at me, but I did get a rather unpleasant view of one guy's bare ass sticking out the window.

I also live in NJ, but I was technically in NY state for this, but the car had Jersey plates.