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What Tim saw:
Category: 4
Result: Did not finish
I decided to do this race the night before since after reading the
course description, I discovered there was no wall on the 11 mile
loop. We started the race about 30 minutes late and I was in the very
back of the pack.
It took me about 8 miles to work my way through the
pack to about top 20 of a 60ish field. I managed to make it over all
the rollers fine as was actually beginning to think I'd finish with
the pack until about mile 10, when we made a sharp left onto a steep
5 minute climb. Needless to say, I went out the back, but with a lot
of other folks.
After the ascent I was with two others. There was
also a group of 3 ahead of us by about 20-30 seconds. I decided this
would be a good time to practice my bridging skills, so I left my
little group. It took me about about 2-3 miles of full out effort to
bridge up to them, but I did. So that was fun. I worked with that
group for another lap and half, then everybody decided to make it a
training ride so we did a chill 4th lap. Then I pulled out of the
race, went home, got some "Una Mas", and took a a two hour nap.
I still don't like hills that are steep, but rollers are O.K. :).
Hopefully, Dunnigan Hills RR doesn't have any steep sections.
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What Keith saw:
Category: 5
Result: Did not finish
Drove to race and arrived with enough time to pick up number and have
a warm up.
I talked to Tim briefly before start of Cat. 5 start and received
helpful info about the course layout. As I stood at line I noted
that only about 25 riders starting and I thought this was strange,
limit of field was supposed to be 50, where was everyone?
Dang, no old guys. One guy from 45+ group wanted to be rolled into
Cat. 5 field.
What ever.
Race started and I fought to remain in center of pack for first three
miles to avoid accordion effect. I was shocked that pace went out
fast so early. These boys weren't fooling around this morning.
As we approached first sets of rollers, the attacks increased and I
faded back a little, but still holding on. I wasn't alone however, I
found myself pulling along another rider for about ½ mile, and when I
pulled off, this rider blew by me to bridge back into the pack. I
didn't conserve enough energy to grab his wheel.
What a great tactic! As I started to fatigue, I pulled off, and
this guy accelerated past me and left me without a draft.
Talk about feeling used...
This is the end of my race report...
No really, I hung in for about another two miles, looking ahead
(before the turn around point) hoping to see someone to catch. Saw
Jorge approaching and he looked like he was still hammering.
The rollers took their toll, and as I got into the beefier hills, I
died.
Rather than suffer, I surrendered. I called it quits at end of the
first lap. I drove home and consoled my feelings of inadequacy by going to the bike shop and purchasing a new pair of shorts and a heart monitor.
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