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What Richard saw:
Category: 3
Result: Did not finish
My Copperopolis report is brief:
I stayed with the 3's group for the first lap with no chasing back
necessary at the top of both climbs which is unusual for me in almost
any road race with a major hill in it.
The second time up the big hill I was still sitting in quite nicely, but
at about a quarter of the way up, I succumb to the rough and loose
paving and get a huge pinch flat - it must have been a small stone as I
didn't feel an impact which would normally be associated with a pinch flat.
I began fixing it and the 4's rolled by with Don sitting in nicely and
Jorge rolled up shortly afterwards with a soft front. We fixed our flats
and continued riding together until I flatted again! I had missed the
cut in the tyre from the first flat.
I booted it and we rode back to Garry in the feed zone and that was
Copperopolis for me.
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What Donn saw:
Category: 4
Result: 11th
We did the usual rendevous at Garry's, got to the race with plenty of
time and had a proper warm-up on the trainers. Jorge and I were
representing the 4's. Garry was providing support which was much
appreciated by everyone.
The Cat 4 race is 3 laps and I was hoping that I could hang on for the
three big climbs. I figured if I could do that, a top ten placing was
possible. So up the first climb, I felt great and stayed at or near
the front for the entire climb. Once onto the plateau I was careful to
avoid the rear and stayed on wheels. Before each major turn I made
sure I was quite near the front to avoid any gap that may occur if we
turned into a wind.
Second lap, same as the first. Except by now the pack had dwindled
considerably, perhaps down to 20 or so.
Final lap, I felt great going up the main climb and moved to the front
where I helped set the tempo onto the plateau. Once on the plateau I
mostly stayed on wheels. At one point there was an attack on a steep
but short roller that nearly cracked me. I felt really bad for a
minute but hung on and quickly recovered.
By now the pack numbered about 15. It was apparent that the last climb
before the descent would be a deciding factor. As we approached the
climb the attacks began but my legs were in no state to respond. I
struggled over the climb with some people in sight, hoping to pass
some on the descent.
I flew down the descent (which, by the way, the race official
described as being in the worst condition ever) and passed one rider,
and several racers that flatted on that nasty stretch of road.
At the finish, the line official had me in 11th place, which I was
quite pleased with. Before leaving I checked the reg table for the
results, where I was listed in 10th place. At that time the results
were not yet official.
Once home I rolled by bike backwards into it's spot in the garage and
the chain plopped off. Upon inspection I found that I bent my big
chainring pretty badly at some point during the race, undoubtedly from
some flying hunk of tarmac smashing the ring.
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