Category: 4
Result: Did not finish

(Read together with the Minden Crit report, ed.)

Mike and I decided to give the Minden races a shot this year. Being the cheapskates we are, we agreed to leave his house at 3AM for our 8:30AM RR start time in Minden NV, which meant that I had to get up at 2:15AM. On my way to Mike's house, I remembered that I left my bib on my dresser the night before to put on in the morning, but I didn't have it on, so I had to go back home and pick it up. Doh. As a result we left Mike's house at 3:30. We still arrived in Minden at 6:45AM (Mike kept pressuring me to drive faster when he wasn't asleep). When we got there, we took 20 minute naps in the car before getting ready for our race.

The Road Race
For those that don't know about the Diamond Valley RR course, it is an 11 mile loop with all right hand turns and 850' feet of climbing per lap. The course starts with a long gradual descent of about 2 miles. It flattens out for about 500 feet and then comes a 1 minute climb followed by a 3 minute climb. Finally a long gradual ascent back to the start line with a strong crosswind.

Our 3/4/5 race was full (only 50 though). On the first climb, about half the field was dropped. I got caught behind some slower riders, but was able to get around them and close the gap to the main group. However, I still hadn't recovered before we started the second climb and fell off the back. Mike caught up with me on the second climb and we started to form 3-5 person groups. On the long gradual ascent portion we'd form a cool echelon. Mike was supervisor and would yell at someone to move over to the center line so that others could get a draft if they were hugging the curb.

On the descent, I'd pull the group and we were able to significantly reduce the time gaps of dropped riders ahead of us. On the 3rd lap during the descent I somehow bent my chain and tore a tooth off my deraillur's pully. I had to limp back to the start line while Mike went on and finished the race. Kinda frustrating, but that is racing.

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