The Redlands Classic marks the start of the NRC racing calendar in the U.S. Redlands is a four day stage race that takes place in and around Redlands, Ca. and was one of my favorite races during my career. The race has been going on for 26 years now (I think) and has always been considered one of the “big ones” on the schedule. All of the US pro teams show up as well as the elite amateur teams and everyone is always chomping at the bit to get the season going with some fast racing- and Redlands is FAST. The prologue has changed venues over the years but always has a steep kicker of a climb for the finish. The Friday road race is always filled with BIG rollers and some extended climbing. Oak Glen was the big finishing climb when I was still doing the race but now they are using some other nasty grade towards the end. Wind always makes this stage tough, and a big field size adds to the mayhem. The cirt is one of the fastest that I ever did during the season and is still considered one of the fastest. The Sunset Loop Road Race, the final day of racing, is for SURE one of the toughest days of racing in the US and I hear they have made the course a bit longer this year and extended the climb that the riders go up each lap- not sorry to be missing this. The stage ends with 4 laps (maybe 5) on the crit course. Ouch. Great memories.
I have 3 riders doing the race this year, once of whom is Carson Miller. Carson is from Bend, Or. and is racing the event on a composite team with a few of the BMC U-23 riders.
At 19 years of age, Carson is still young and races like Redlands are great opportunities to add experience and depth to his cycling game. Carson does a really good job of sending me detailed race reports and I thought it would make for good reading for anyone interested in seeing one of the hardest NRC stage races through the eyes of U 23 rider doing the race. Enjoy.
You can follow Carson on Twitter: @Miller_Carson
Stage 1: Prologue
Wanted to get a report to you from earlier this afternoon. My prep for today’s prologue was spot-on. I allowed plenty of time for travel, bike check, changing etc. With everything prepped and ready to roll, I jumped on the rollers for a great TT w/u. I had plenty of time to work through the efforts and rolled up to the start ramp calm and collected.
Having had the opportunity to check out today’s course several times over the last couple days was huge. I was able to visualize the whole thing, as well as how I wanted pace my efforts through each part of the course. My personal aim was to run 10 mins or less – while I fell a little outside of that (10:33) I felt like I made a great effort, without having any aero gear. My pacing was nearly perfect, and I finished with nothing left in the tank. I opened up the effort at a slightly uncomfortable pace while the HR and blood got moving, before I really laid into the uphill portions of the course. The final 2k were the steepest pitches where tired legs would lose a lot of ground. I came to the base of the climbs and poured every ounce of energy into getting over each pitch, and jumping back up to speed over the crests. My efforts started catching up with me at 500M to go, where I dug in and made a final charge overthe last 200 meters uphill roller.
Flipped at the top, and rolled for a few mims while the HR came down and I caught my breath. Once back to the car, I pit on some fresh warmer clothes and rolled a light 30 min spin to blow out the legs. Recovery drink was slammed before I drove home for a shower and “lunch.”
I’m chillin’ with the legs up and about to bust a sesh of Trigger Point before dinner. Then it’s early to bed, and bussiness time tomorrow. We’ve got nothing to defend, so tomorrow should be a clean slate with lots of possibilities for us.
All for now. You know where/how to finder of you need anything, and I will keep you posted with reports through out the weekend. Mark my word – you’ll have daily reports and know exactly how I’m feeling. And where the team is at.
Regards,
C-
