Category: 4
Result: Mid-pack

Wards Ferry is a pretty cool race. The course is constantly undulating with fast, twisty descents. On the downside, the roads are pretty rough with potholes. Due to the nature of the course, there is nowhere to relax as you're either climbing or descending. The climbs are not too long, and steep in only a few short sections. All said, it makes for a fun race.

The Cat 4 race is fairly short with 4-10 mile laps, plus a short promenade at the start. The first lap wasn't too tough. The second and third laps picked up the pace, and I made sure I was up near the front the whole time. For the first time ever I felt like I was actually racing, not just hanging on to the back of the pack. In the third lap I joined a short-lived break with one other rider, but when no one else joined us we went back to the pack. Rolling into the start of the final lap I made sure I was positioned at the front. Then the group (around 15 guys by this time) surged hard and I couldn't respond.

I continued alone trying to keep the pace up in hopes of catching some stragglers. I did manage to catch a few folks, but by the final kilometer I was gone and I was passed by 3 seperate solo riders. I don't know the official results, but I probably placed between 15th and 20th.

Back to top