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Trevize1138
06-05-2007, 10:25 PM
Something I've noticed on the results for the first two MNSCS events: the recorded MPH averages for Comp and Expert are consistantly several marks higher than actual.

I rode a lap at Murphy with Matt K last weekend and when he told me he raced Comp at the Spring Cup I said "Woah! If I lead I'm going to be holding you back by, what, 4 mph on average?"

He laughed and pointed out that the comp race was 4 laps but they calculated the MPH average on a 5 lap distance! I spoke with a guy that same weekend who raced expert and he was equaly confused. He said he rode his MTB on the road for two hours a couple days before the Spring Cup and averaged 18.4. So, when he saw in the results that his average on the Salem course was 18.1 he couldn't believe his eyes.

Now, the same thing's happened with the Steeple-Chase results. I'll use my Bent Crank Racing teammate, Adam Emanoff as the control in this experiment. :)

I raced Sport and he raced Comp. The only difference between these two races was 2 vs. 3 laps respectively. The Citizen course was shorter but Sport, Comp and Expert all ran the same distance per lap (according to the race organizers). The course itself wasn't any different. My final time was 1:15:57 and Adam's was 1:52:32. My average lap time was 37:59 and his was 37:30. My average speed was recorded as 11.8 and his 13.3. I believe his was closer to 11.9. Faster than me, but not 1.5 mph faster!

I point this out just out of interest and especially for those of you racing Sport and looking at the reported numbers who may have experienced a major sinking feeling. You know, sort of that "Holy crap, how the hell could I ever average 19.1 mph at Salem Hills!" feeling. Well, don't worry. You still have to get faster, just not THAT much faster ;).

Tomg
06-06-2007, 07:55 AM
I'm pretty sure the avg speeds are done by dividing the course distance by your lap time. (Since the transponder has no way of knowing distance.) The course distance was programed in before the race so any adjustments to the course length due to conditions would not have been captured. I know the Citizen's numbers were WAY off because the course was shortened significantly at Steeplechase.

Trevize1138
06-06-2007, 08:56 AM
I'm pretty sure the avg speeds are done by dividing the course distance by your lap time. (Since the transponder has no way of knowing distance.) The course distance was programed in before the race so any adjustments to the course length due to conditions would not have been captured. I know the Citizen's numbers were WAY off because the course was shortened significantly at Steeplechase.

Oh, wow. I hadn't noticed the citizen's class MPH readings. Yeah, guess you just can't quite go by those, huh?

So far, I think the Sport class MPH marks are fairly accurate, though. My usual average just riding for exercise at Salem is 12.5 or 13 so 13.5 for the race seems right. And, 11.8 for a place with big hills like Steeple-Chase also sounds about in the right ballpark.

GearDaddy
06-06-2007, 09:31 AM
Yeah, it makes sense that Salem's MPH is off. There is no way I average nearly 18 MPH at that one.

Another thing I noticed is that the Expert women at Steeplechase have incorrect times. They actually started in the first wave with the expert men, but it appears that they were given finishing times based on starting with the Comp men (5 minutes or so later?). I caught up to and passed the 3rd place Expert woman, but she somehow ended up with a faster time than me.

No biggie. It doesn't matter in the end.

Heuy
06-06-2007, 11:06 AM
I remember starting racing at Buck Hill on Thrsday nights and getting lapped by the top experts every race, so I know those expert guys are scarey fast. But it is good to know that they aren't that fast.:shocked:

motomofo
06-06-2007, 01:37 PM
Personally, I like the way the averages look. Kind of makes me feel like a stud. I'm hoping at afton I can average about 20mph. :eyeroll:

grizzly adam
06-06-2007, 05:12 PM
Thanks ..... there goes my ego....

Danimal
06-06-2007, 06:13 PM
I'm at a consistent 4 mph going up hills... up from 2! Boooya!

Your ego is back Adam.

Trevize1138
06-06-2007, 09:24 PM
Thanks ..... there goes my ego....

Yes, Adam, you're almost as slow as ME! :banana:

jeffr
06-07-2007, 09:12 AM
The averages have been corrected for the Steeplechase race as well as the Expert women's times on the MNSCS results page.
Jeff Robertson

Trevize1138
06-07-2007, 12:34 PM
The averages have been corrected for the Steeplechase race as well as the Expert women's times on the MNSCS results page.
Jeff Robertson

Cool! :)

By the way, I didn't post this at all to rip on the MNSCS's record-keeping. I just found it curious.

Thanks for the correction! :banana:

jeffr
06-07-2007, 12:39 PM
Chris
I understand, but the feedback is good to help get things corrected.
Jeff

Trevize1138
06-07-2007, 12:42 PM
The averages have been corrected for the Steeplechase race as well as the Expert women's times on the MNSCS results page.
Jeff Robertson

I should have kept my big mouth shut: my MPH went from 11.8 to 9.32! :cryin:

On a happier note, Adam's average was only 9.22 ;). Yeah, yeah, sure ... I know, he rode three laps and I only rode two ... blah blah blah ... :crazy:

grizzly adam
06-09-2007, 09:01 PM
Maybe I need to get on a SS...