With just a few road races left this season I've found some great form. Yesterday at the Rio Grande/Vic's Espresso crit in Prospect I doubled up doing the Masters 35+ race and the Pro 1-2 race 4 hours later.
Even though I was riding strong near the front during the Masters race I and a few others missed out on a breakaway that rolled off during a prime lap. A few moves to pull back the 7 riders were attempted but unsuccesful. I rolled off the front at one point and was later told I was gaining on the riders every lap. Lack of long interval training proved my downfall as I was eventually swept up again by the pack which again slowed their pace. Had the breakaway not softpedaled the last few laps they would have lapped us. I managed to finish 12th.
With such a big break between races I leashed my 2 dogs up and went over to the Two Dog Diner which serves breakfast all day. With the grilled prawn omelete standing out to me I tied the dogs to the table and sat down for a great omelete. It was a good lunch that came with a side of home fried potatoes and my choice of bread (I ordered rye but it looked and tasted more like wheat) A quick check of my watch told me that I was eating a bit later than I ought to. Luckily I was able to get most of it digested before the next race.
The Elite mens race went fast from the gun. I somehow have been always to find my way to the front in these races even when I start at the back. Must be all those years of experience. We were quickly single file as all those fresh legs started to stretch. We were just ripping through the course and those not lucky enough were shelled off the back early. I sat up near the front figuring to stay away from the back where the most of the weaker riders would open up gaps making the race harder to stay in it. All the bike commuting must be paying dividends. Because, although it was super fast, I never felt in difficulty.
Here is a YouTube video of the first corner of the race. Easily the fastest corner as it comes after a slight downhill straightaway. I come through the corner about 21st. If you listen hard enough you can hear someone yell my name. I believe this video was taken before the 3 man breakaway happened.
Early on in the race an automatic sprinkler turned on creating a hazardous corner with riders, including myself, slipping sideways. After a few cautious laps race volunteer Paul Gertler, who races masters 55+, was able to get the water diverted and squeegee the road dry. High speed cornering resumed.
With 20 minutes remaining 3 riders broke clear. I don't remember the pace ever slowing down when they went so those guys were smoking.
I followed a single rider attack in the final 10 minutes. We got a gap on the field but it didn't stick as I led the field around for a lap before falling back a bit setting up for the final few frantic laps that were to come. I had the inside line on the 3rd corner and made up a few spots as a rider lost his line and swung wide slowing down those behind him. I made a few more spots up on the next straightaway and never lost position finishing 14th.
On the warm down lap it was pretty cool experience. The crowd was cheering and clapping and we got standing ovations from the patrons seated at outdoor restaurants.
Not sure how the last couple of races will be but this was definitely a highlight for me this year.
The irony of the situation was that I didn't realize the prize list went to 15th and left with only the adrenaline rush that comes from such an effort.
With such a big break between races I leashed my 2 dogs up and went over to the Two Dog Diner which serves breakfast all day. With the grilled prawn omelete standing out to me I tied the dogs to the table and sat down for a great omelete. It was a good lunch that came with a side of home fried potatoes and my choice of bread (I ordered rye but it looked and tasted more like wheat) A quick check of my watch told me that I was eating a bit later than I ought to. Luckily I was able to get most of it digested before the next race.
The Elite mens race went fast from the gun. I somehow have been always to find my way to the front in these races even when I start at the back. Must be all those years of experience. We were quickly single file as all those fresh legs started to stretch. We were just ripping through the course and those not lucky enough were shelled off the back early. I sat up near the front figuring to stay away from the back where the most of the weaker riders would open up gaps making the race harder to stay in it. All the bike commuting must be paying dividends. Because, although it was super fast, I never felt in difficulty.
Here is a YouTube video of the first corner of the race. Easily the fastest corner as it comes after a slight downhill straightaway. I come through the corner about 21st. If you listen hard enough you can hear someone yell my name. I believe this video was taken before the 3 man breakaway happened.
Early on in the race an automatic sprinkler turned on creating a hazardous corner with riders, including myself, slipping sideways. After a few cautious laps race volunteer Paul Gertler, who races masters 55+, was able to get the water diverted and squeegee the road dry. High speed cornering resumed.
With 20 minutes remaining 3 riders broke clear. I don't remember the pace ever slowing down when they went so those guys were smoking.
I followed a single rider attack in the final 10 minutes. We got a gap on the field but it didn't stick as I led the field around for a lap before falling back a bit setting up for the final few frantic laps that were to come. I had the inside line on the 3rd corner and made up a few spots as a rider lost his line and swung wide slowing down those behind him. I made a few more spots up on the next straightaway and never lost position finishing 14th.
On the warm down lap it was pretty cool experience. The crowd was cheering and clapping and we got standing ovations from the patrons seated at outdoor restaurants.
Not sure how the last couple of races will be but this was definitely a highlight for me this year.
The irony of the situation was that I didn't realize the prize list went to 15th and left with only the adrenaline rush that comes from such an effort.
5 comments:
great recap!
i hear they yell Brian and i think the same person was screaming Wooo at the end too!
p.s. now it says i'm in perry, ga not kathleen that thing keeps changing!
that was a fun crit! any chance you could send the video of that right hander you posted on youtube? thanks, ewam
It's not my video, I scammed it from youtube.
Just click the youtube logo on the bottom left and it'll take you to the you tube link.
enjoy
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