The Most Frustrating Race of the Year

[@jamese4729]

Breakaway dynamics are always interesting. Jeff has a great sprint so people often don't want to work with him. That said, you have a 100% chance of losing if you don't catch the break, so it's better to work with a sprinter for a 10% chance of a win than be guaranteed to lose because you're afraid of another rider.

[@sebastiaansiemensma]

I would prefer to solo slingshot myself in two minutes to the leading group, instead of pack sprinting against Jeff.

[@the_joe_reynolds_foundation]

I think Brian absolutely nailed all the reasons why this race was so frustrating for you, Jeff. He pretty much laid out the things you were doing wrong in a polite critique, but it didn't quite sound like you heard what he was saying. Love the vids, man, and sometimes I watch them a few times to learn and appreciate what knowledge you're giving us. This video is one I believe you should watch, and listen to, again.

[@werb24]

I actually did the Alviso ride last week. It was incredibly fun and much more like a race than most group rides. That said, the group plays constant games and as a result folks don't work together. Given the way our daily race is in DC, it was a shock that folks didn't rotate when a break went off the front during my ride. The course definitely plays into it as well. It was really hard as no one seems to trust each other. This represents exactly the same experience I had. To me, it makes the ride more fun, more interesting and significantly better race training.

[@CastleKnight7]

@text.-3816 How does one go about sending a direct “massage”?

[@AustinIsTheGreatest]

That chase group you were with at the beginning looked like every cat4 and cat 5 crits I've been a part of. "Ope, people go up the road well I'm not chasing it back. Let the group do it." is most of the time there mentality but that doesn't work. The group just doesn't work together and does mediocre pulls at 22mph while the break is hammering at 25-28mph.

[@laod7192]

That's the psychology part of the game. Whoever leads a chase will definitely lose his chance of winning. In higher tiers a team will have sprinters who hide in the peloton and domestics who chase. In Cat 4/5 most riders receive no team support.

[@robertdiez3091]

Thats how i won my first race I hit it hard out of the gate two riders came with me an on the course we raced if we would have gotten 45 second gap the race would have been over on the first lap. But they got use but you could see in the group they used a lot of energry to bring us back an knew i was going for one late. One rider went up the road a lap early didn't jump but knew the effort needed to win from loosing in that postion a year before after 1/4 of the way done with the lap i bridge to him fast nobody on my wheel. Later once i saw race film they all hero pulled but we were doing 33mph when their fastest for 30 seconds total to the line was 26mph.

[@westsidewheelmen]

@@laod7192 if you don’t chase, you have zero chance of winning.

[@laod7192]

@@westsidewheelmen Not true. If someone else chases, you can sit in the peloton and try to stean the win. It's very interesting psychological game and you have to make your bet.

[@westsidewheelmen]

@@laod7192 lol. this is a training opportunity. what you described is a tactic that doesn’t need training. the opportunity in a training race is to chase.

[@mycoachdave]

Wait- where's the Alviso RV? Usually parked on the top stretch LOL.

[@jessejamesv]

The guy in blue would have frustrated the sh*t out me. He was surging through on every pull, and making it harder on everyone, including himself.

[@BigBrownMonke]

😂😂

[@pbenjlo]

bearded dude behind you not responding to you and staying in your wheel all the time is the most frustrating. This guy is the worst. You can clearly see the guy at 10:10 answering your call and shaking his head as he's passing the other guy. He shouldn't stay ahead of the peloton if he can't pull up and help the pack. The other guys should tell him to FO and get behind, because he's slowing everyone else for no reason.

[@PatrickLino]

"This could be us, but you keep playin!" - Jeff

[@NorCalCycling]

lolol so true

[@cameronadams7055]

Oh dear I remember that race 🤣. I didn’t plan on spending the whole day in the break. Made riding home very very hard lol. Good times

[@peterwmunro]

Can you please do a video on how you mount your GoPro and other tech stuff

[@matthewbloor9263]

God I wish I could cycle like this. Is it possible for a newb at 35 to get to this level of power and endurance?

[@cornichon.]

Definitely, with enough training

[@hasanuguz6868]

Yes with enough motivation and time you can do it.

[@MarkBurghouwt]

Where is the final sprint?

[@CarbonRider1]

How about a video on the art of the pace-line and pulling through smooth? I am continually amazed, even in this video, how guys come to the front, and aren't smooth. They pull through too hard, and surge as they come through, which creates gaps behind them. The notorious guys, are the ones who sit in, don't pull, but when they do, it's super hard, almost like an attack, and you have to close the gap if you are behind them, then after 10 seconds, they sit up and go back into the group.

[@FrankMOrtiz]

That's exactly my thoughts. These are clearly unskilled and unexperienced at pacelining and how effective that is at chasing.

[@NorCalCycling]

I made a video about how to paceline and keep it smooth, it's up on the channel.

[@CarbonRider1]

@@NorCalCycling I don't think people watched it 🙂

[@m.k.4343]

Search for "Paceline Like A Pro"

[@knlprez]

Hey Jeff, the Stages discount code doesn't seem to work any longer. Do you have an updated code?

[@AngelHernandez-qf5wc]

Love the channel. Hoping to do my first crit race this summer.

[@michaelgraycycling]

Thank you for a crit race video this time of year! Well needed 😆

[@tylerdesrosiers]

This was great to see, every crit race I did with my local club was like this. Drove me nuts to the point I stopped participating

[@okday72]

As much as I like watching you win so many of these. It doesn't much sense for the group to work to help the guy that wins a lot of the races. It made sense for them to push you into a corner and make you pay for your mistake.

[@EmoryBall32]

Unless they wanted to do more than race for 4th at best.

[@Bozza36]

In doing so, they ruined their own chances of winning...

[@westsidewheelmen]

If you’re trying to win the training race, yes. If you’re training to win an actual race, no.

[@Freerider-zi8ot]

This was hard to watch. Stephon(guy in black/SJBC) doesn't even help in the rotation! Not at all surprised!! Ive been away from Alviso for a few years and some riders never change. Kudos to the dude in green/blue/black!

[@paperclip897]

What kind of stem, handle bar set up do you have?

[@antonb8832]

The "Alviso" Text in the Intro was amazing! How is this style called?

[@ProfeTa6]

Guy with the different Jersey from his teammate was disrupting the flow of the pack that was the main issue.

[@Brian-pk1ol]

Is there a lower category of riders that do their own version of this race?

[@westsidewheelmen]

My God it’s a training race. There’s no point in blocking. It’s the one team tactic that requires no practice.

[@elitrevino8503]

At the end of these rides they all know who’s the real players ( strong riders ) I’d like to join you guys one day ! Keep it up

[@ezeekwheel]

I find it crazy that you guys race on open roads

[@NikoWheels]

Love watching the suffer train. You guys rock!

[@speedkitten9077]

Could you make a video on if different cycling shoes make a difference? Also love the vids

[@pjetrs]

some riders look like they could use a bike fit or do some stretching haha..hopping around on the saddle, limbs going everywhere

[@ILOVEDEFENDINGTHE1PERCENT]

The classic excessive saddle height.

[@SuperBridgford]

What camera are you using please and is it on your body thanks

[@fwschnaar3179]

Someone gives “The Elbow” and we’re rolling at 32+… Hmmmm 🤔🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️🤪

[@m.ncycles]

Team tactics shouldn’t be employed unless jerseys are the same. Sorry that was so weird Jeff!

[@christopherguzik4459]

I think I got more big mad so apologies to your teammate lol

[@NorCalCycling]

all good - i knew but nobody else did!

[@EnduRACEcoaching]

Hi Sir, Amazing footage as usual, could you share the name of the software you are using for adding metrics on your video ? thanks

[@The_R_Vid]

Search his old videos. He did a dedicated video on how he does his overlays.

[@ElPresidente561]

Alviso with the Sagan experience :D

[@tomandband]

that looks so annoying to deal with when riders won’t contribute to a goal that is benefiting them aswell as you.

[@nguyenho9591]

If your opponent is frustrated, you are doing it right

[@NorCalCycling]

totally true, but when we're all losing to the breakaway, we should act as if we're teammates until it's brought back. I always like to race for the win, not happy settling for 4th.

[@myette10]

You’re braver than me racing open unmarshalled roads like that.

[@merckxy54]

Great video Jeff, but tell me, the traffic on the road at the juctions . Is someone stopping the cars, do you have police co-operation?

[@colinmadbeast]

For a weekly race? I doubt it. That would get quite pricey. I think he's commented before that it's an open course

[@homiertcw]

@@colinmadbeast with those speeds thats crazy. Would never happen here in Belgium :D

[@DummyUrD]

Good old alivos, I missed you!

[@klatreofficial]

Awesome video! hope our LS1 headphones can help you during your usual training!

[@andrewlabat9963]

Crazy racing with all that traffic, it seems that they could cone off that lane for at least 200 feet coming into and 300 feet going out of any intersection to protect y'all. But man, the watts, yea, I'm much older, but love pushing myself, but I can only produce that wattage for a short time. Love your vids though..

[@jarydanderson1400]

Unsanctioned race means no cones

[@andrewlabat9963]

@@jarydanderson1400 Oh, ok.. 👍🏼

[@BulletJS]

@@jarydanderson1400 its a group ride

[@abfutrell]

Do Klatra headphones trigger tinnitus? Especially persons with hearing loss.

[@klatreofficial]

Absolutely not, on the contrary, there is a lot of scientific evidence that bone conduction is more protective of hearing than general in-ear headphones.

[@KushPizzaSleep]

this is embarrassing, this is beer league bike racing

[@chrisparent4660]

Portions of that race had Cat 5 written all over it.

[@wong5150]

that coretechs rider needs a bike fit

[@terrillford7784]

Are your using a gopro or another action camera?

[@NorCalCycling]

gopro

[@terrillford7784]

@@NorCalCycling Super clean footage

[@tornet3464]

I don't even race, hell, apart from my shity $60 bike, I don't really cycle that much, SOOOOoo why Im I watching every video of jeff??

[@NorCalCycling]

Good stuff!!! thanks dude 👍

[@philc9305]

I've had a few races like this.

[@solowingpixy8190]

15:12 Theyre are barely trying.

[@korsu2615]

The guy in the black and white jersey (the one with the 'teammate') showing unsportsmanship to the max...

[@jessejamesv]

I don't know about that. It does happen in local group rides/races where teammates aren't wearing their team kit (laundry day), and people still know they're on the same team. Not a big deal. Next.

[@keirjamieson8123]

@@jessejamesv Yep. At uni there's regularly people at races without matching kit. I know ours charge £75 for just a jersey and it would be just another barrier to cycling if they made everyone have to wear matching kit especially as we only get a couple of races a year.

[@NorCalCycling]

USAC race rules say teammates have to wear the same jersey

[@jessejamesv]

@@NorCalCycling I thought it wasn’t sanctioned?

[@jessejamesv]

@@NorCalCycling To be clear, I’m not saying it’s not a little bush league, I just don’t think it’s a biggie in what’s effectively a weekly worlds.

[@d.ashley879]

A bit of an off topic comment. But I just noticed Jeff doesn't fully tape his bars. It an inch or two past the shifter.

[@guppyitsallgood]

Only taping the parts of the bar you need to grip gives a fraction of an aero advantage. That middle section is super low profile for aerodynamic gains, taping would mitigate that for no real benefit

[@miyui9269]

if you told them you'll even out the prize among you if you win after you get back in the front, they would have done so. for this kind of mentality, they need to be rewarded to do work. they know that if they bring you back in the front, they'll 100% lose.

[@brizziefritz4794]

I don't think you have any right to complain about the other riders and if you're frustrated you should only be frustrated with yourself. You let the three strongest competitors ride off the front leaving you with the second tier guys (no offense). You then expect those guys to work with you so you can win the sprint. That's all on you. You might argue that the other riders can't win themselves either by not working with you, but that argument doesn't hold. They would cook themselves while being stuck with a riders who strength wise is a level above them and when it comes to a sprint two to three levels above them. Their only chance is having the four strong guys wear each other out and get a sneaky win.

[@NorCalCycling]

Yep pretty much my exact assessment, but I always ride for first even if my chances aren’t great. They’re better than 0% if I’ve missed the break.

[@brizziefritz4794]

@@NorCalCycling Fair enough. But I'd argue that they maximised their chances by the way they rode. The four of you (Max, Dante, Blain and yourself, hope I spelled the names correctly) are a level above the others. Their best chance was for you, and later on Max, to chase Dante and Blain down and then sneak off the front while the four of you had cooked yourselves.

[@Jari1973]

Thanks for the great videos! Are you all pro riders?? The speeds are sometimes really fast.. 50 km/h against the wind 👍

[@chickenleg123]

no, all are amateurs

[@thedoctorchocolate]

I'm not gonna lie, if I'm in a field with pros (I'm cat 4) I'm not bridging a gap to 3 riders or working with another pro to bridge that gap. My goal is a top 10 and I know if I help you I'm only hurting my final result (which I am by helping a pro) then I'm going to sit on your wheel. It's racing, I've gotta do what I gotta do to get my best result.

[@hfhfhf361]

why did you not show the finish, you could make the vid 10s longer

[@robertkehl9034]

There are danger riders in all races who can stay away they must be marked at all costs. You are know as a sprinter and you were played. I did the same to the sprinters in my last race and won.

[@jasonpinkerton5786]

What’s in that guy’s saddle bag that’s so important to bring on a 40 minute race

[@shepshape2585]

Even though this video is 17:21 long, it was really over at 2:55.

[@redben9046]

How this is called a race while there's cars & trucks around the criterium ? It'really unsafe

[@mbastos1000]

They are right! If they do what you expect then you win! They don’t take your bait anymoreeeeeee!

[@curse6852]

Only 5 min in and it seems horrible

[@colebq]

Great video but after 20min missed the final 100m : )

[@crb0n181]

Only at alviso

[@timtaylor9590]

maybe its not a teammate and its just a friend

[@AbhijeetSingh-nm2ll]

Downwards Spiral.

[@kostiantynsavostin3559]

wtf with this bearded guy in a white helmet and black jersey, he pulled 0 times.

[@imoverthetop44]

Wow so sloppy and so poorly executed. Strategy is important yes but fitness goes hand in hand. Positioning is everything ! Wat's don't actually matter its a guide. Riders worry way to much about there output. These guys don't realise very few attacks of the front work when trying to close a gap.. its crazy what they are trying to do its hard being in no mans land unless you are really strong or fast enough to bridge the gap quick. I have raced in bunches of 80 plus riders and small bunches of 10 and you always get riders who will refuse to go thrue. The science shows sitting on after a period of time is as hard as doing a turn. you think your doing it easier but your not. I also cant believe how much these guys have so much torso movement when peddling it causes upper stress on the body when you aren't smooth. None of them are on top of there gears grinding is a fallacy it doesn't make you go faster it just burns energy ! If You don't get on the gear and you cant get that smooth ride to preserve your energy and maintain speed easier. for the sprint this is the business end of all bike races after all.

[@rubielrodriguez2144]

What I'm about to say may seem like a odd tactic but it will work after two rides. All Jeff has to do is not stitch nothing up at the beginning and let everything go and be willing to lose the race to show other riders that Jeff will be willing to lose the race if other riders (not the breakaway riders) don't work and Stitch things up also. Also by applying this tactic in the future all the riders will follow attacks because they won't know when Jeff will use the tactic of just letting them go to win. It'll be like a seed planted in the Riders head that if they want to play games, Jeff will let them go up the road.

[@victorknubben5515]

How does this Guy have a different sponsor every video

[@Tazangamoz]

Wow that is frustrating. It's like when you go out on a zone 2 ride with "friends" and it becomes a race. 🤷‍♂🚴

[@BulletJS]

maybe you're taking a group ride too seriously 🤣

[@94870641]

The guy behind you is the laziest dude... it's like he was trying to keep it Z2 the whole way... jeez

[@ZwiftDude]

Glad I found this channel.

[@NorCalCycling]

welcome!

[@jaydenasper207]

When someone passes you, they exit your rear view cam on the left for example, and enter the main camera on the right. It is hard to follow, I would consider flipping the rear view camera to make it resemble a mirror! Just an idea

[@jaydenasper207]

Otherwise, I’m extremely impressed by the visual display you have going

[@NorCalCycling]

I’ve tried mirroring the rear cam but it’s more confusing, this way it replicates what it looks like when you turn your head around like you do on a bike, unlike looking into a mirror like you do in a car

[@NorCalCycling]

Also thank you for the compliment 👍

[@ERIK31351]

Klatre is a 100% rip off of Aftershokz

[@klatreofficial]

In fact, we have our own patented technology, another type of vibration system completely independently developed, which is better than Aftershokz products of the same price in terms of sound performance. We have this confidence.

[@ezekielrobertson5540]

first

[@cjohnson3836]

So what's the strategy to 'punish' black jersey guy for disrupting the flow of the chase?

[@jongriffin2125]

I thought the entire point was to finish first?