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What Scott saw:
Category: 4/5
Result: DNF - but didn't crash.
No, your vision is not going bad...I am actually writing a race report.
Tim and Keith were in the Cat4/5 race with me this morning. Not a whole lot of action, but 3 crashes!!! There were many unsuccessful breaks, all lasting 1-2 minutes...probably just trying out the legs a bit.
I knew it was going to be a rough day when there was a crash coming across the start/finish line on the 1st lap! Then on the 3rd lap there was a crash in turn #1, and then another one halfway down that straightaway 100 yds later. I just kept hearing crunching metal and carbon.
The first crash was someone in the front getting his front wheel knocked out by a rider coming across.....watch that wheel overlap! Lesson learned there I think. I think he was the only one to go down and everyone else avoided him. After that one I tried to stay in the front 3rd of the pack The next 2 crashes were behind me, but it still freaked me out because guys in front of me were looking backwards to see it! Eyes front and don't panic. A crash is only going to move FORWARD in a peloton if someone creates another one up front.
With 3 laps to go I surged to the front and off the front....for about 30 seconds when I popped. I wanted to just bury my legs a bit with a high effort and then call it a day. I pulled out of the race and went over and chatted with Casey, watching the finish.
Keith and I went over and did a few hill repeats on whatever that nearby hill is just so I could realize how much work I have to do on my climbing this year.
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What Tim saw:
Category: 4/5
Result: Mid-pack
Like Scott said, it kinda sets a bad vibe when crashes start on the
first lap.
So, going into the third lap, I hit the front following a wheel to
get there. When that guy pulled off, I decided to hammer it. After
the first turn the sun was on my back and I didn't see any wheel
shadows behind me, so I kept pushing. However, on the backstretch my
lungs told me to stop. I sat up and waited for the peloton. As they
rolled past, Scott told me there were two crashes on the last lap. I
think was serendipity that made me go to the front for that lap, but
then again, probably not :).
Anyway, I rested in the pack until 5 to go, then started to move up
again. With three to go, I was in a really nice position: 2 rows back
and protected from the wind on both sides. That didn't last long as
mini-attacks started and we were quickly swarmed. I started to work
my way back to the front and noticed Keith pulling the pack with
around 2 to go. He eventually pulled off, and started drifting
backward. I told him to grab my wheel, and I hit the front. On the
backstretch, I end up pulling the pack, and tried to punch it, but
the lungs didn't really agree with that, so I pulled off and remerged
at the back-end of the pack.
On bell lap, the pack slowed down slightly, and I was able to move up
again, following wheels on the inside. At turn three, I was around
10-15th place. Going into to the long straight, I tried to move up
again, but ended up in the wind and probably lost 5 places by the
time we crossed the finish line.
I'm definitely in better shape now than last year at this time, so
I'm looking forward to some more good training (spectrum ride, great
america "spank me" noon ride, and early bird crits).
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What Keith J saw:
Category: 4/5
Result: Mid-pack
Had a great time today! im glad we all stayed upright! couple of those crashes were scary to watch and listen too. Luckily when they happened I was camping on the back of the peloton. Did okay, my cornering could use some work. The bridge to breakaway was fun - except when I reached the racers out front they both peeled off and left me sucking wind...half a lap of that and my legs were on fire. All i could do to jump back on when overtaken by the pack. Going into the last turn I took the inside which was a bad move, lost all my momentum and had to work hard to catch back up to the group and then start to climb towards the front. Jumped on a guys wheel that went screaming by on my right and think i crossed the finish somewhere between 8-12 position.
thanks for offering your wheel Tim, i tried to hang on as you shot to the front but after the half lap out front my legs were still on fire...I noticed you had some very good positioning most of the race. Im going to stick to your wheel next race.
excellent experience - ive still got a goofy smile as i remember the pain (and that little kid kicking ass while he kept pace with the pack!)
also the discussion post race got the wheels turning!
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What Oscar saw:
Category: 5
Result: Did not finish
Well, my race experience was basically the same as everyone else's
that attended. Only, I peeled off with 5 to go. Still working on my
fitness and also making sure I would not get involved in any
crashes. I was too close to the first one and heard too many
creaking carbon wheels to want to continue.
I had a blast none the
less with Scott, Tim, and our new dude Keith. It was interesting to
see many trying breakaways and not succeeding. It made me realize
that I'm not the only one not there yet. Tim looked really strong
from the get go and Scott and Keith were not far behind. Dell wanted
to race but called to say He caught the flu and couldn't race. Frank
was there for the mentoring session I believe. Anyway, we'll see how
we do next week.
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