The Oregon Club Cycling team got its collegiate racing season underway during the break, when the Ducks were hoping for sunny weather.
Instead, they were greeted with a wet and muddy season opener March 22 in Corvallis as the Pacific Northwest weather was in classic form.
The Oregon State University Spring Classic Road Race featured a three-mile stretch of dirt road, which was transformed from a harmless dust creator into a slippery mud bath, placing more strain on cyclists.
“It was a tough road race,” senior student coordinator Brad Ritter said. “Everyone was covered in mud after the race.”
Despite the rough conditions, the Ducks had four cyclists place in the top 15 in their respective divisions. Alex Rock finished fifth in the men’s “A” division. Derek Darves came in sixth for the Ducks in the men’s “B” division, while Ritter finished seventh and Ben Hurley 12th.
While most people would think of stormy weather as a reason to keep the bike in the garage, the Ducks know a little mud goes along with all the work required to stay competitive in the world of collegiate cycling.
The Ducks’ cycling season begins long before races start. In the offseason, cyclists set goals, including times they want to achieve or certain races they want or need to win. Of course, every time a cyclist enters a race, he or she would like to win, but there are times during the year when a certain division is lacking in points and a race really needs to be won.
Being in good enough shape to achieve those goals is addressed with specialized weight training and plenty of riding. Cyclists start with 18 to 20 hours per week of long-distance endurance training to build stamina. During the season, a cyclist will shift to high-intensity training, consisting of higher speeds for shorter distances in order to be in top shape for his or her peak race.
The Ducks had better luck with the weather last weekend as they hosted the Oregon Omnium. Three Oregon cyclists placed in the top three in their respective divisions. Ben West captured first place in the men’s “B” while Zach Winter took second and Rock took third in the men’s “A” division.
“Solid,” is how Ritter described the Ducks’ performance. “We had a good performance in most of the races.”
Despite the good showing from the Ducks, Ritter said he’d like to increase female participation in the cycling club, as only four female cyclists showed up for the race. Those who did show up performed well, placing second and fourth in the women’s “B” criterium.
“There’s a lack of female cyclists,” Ritter said. “Women just don’t take to the sport like men do.”
The weekend’s results moved the Ducks into second place in the Northwest Collegiate Cycling Conference, ahead of Washington State and behind Idaho. As the Ducks chase the Vandals, they will also keep their eye on May 9, the first day of the National Collegiate Cycling Association finals in California.
The Ducks will once again have to postpone thoughts of warm weather as they travel to Spokane, Wash., Saturday for the Frozen Flatlands. From there, it’s on to Missoula, Mo., before returning to the Evergreen State with stops in Pullman and Walla Walla.
“It’s usually pretty cold (in Spokane),” said Ritter, who plans to battle the elements on his 18-speed Cannondale bike. “Cold and windy.”
Hey, there’s always nationals
in California.
Jon Roetman is a freelance writer
for the Emerald.