ABD Memorial Weekend Masters Races 30+ Open (Sat & Sun Races)

Saturday:

We raced the north course in a clockwise direction. 50 min + 3 laps, basically 60 minute crits. Wide roads, clean pavement all the way around with one little pinch spot on the outside exit of turn 2. The course ran downhill into turn 1, mild uphill drag out of turn 2 (not as mild late in the race) to turn 3 then downhill back to turn 1.

There were a few heavy hitters that showed up; Burnham brought 7 or 8 guys alone. An attack went from the gun and within a lap there were 4 guys about 50m OTF, as we exited turn 2 I was 3^rd or 4^th wheel exiting turn 2. I decided to bridge up to these 4, the pack didn’t respond, I pulled thru to them and told them to jump on. A few seconds later I was solo 50m off the front of those guys. I figured I would just stay out there a bit and warm up the legs and bring the HR up to running speed. I ended staying off the front for 2 laps and the pack was ready to elevate the pace. It can be a sinking feeling when you look behind you and see 4 Burnham’s on the front with their sights dead set on you with 30 guys stacked up behind them. Time go back and sit a little, we’ve a long way to go. Rolled with the pack covering accelerations well. There came a run mid-way where the pace was pushed harder and harder up the rise for about 4 or 5 straight laps. I thought it was going to crack me but it didn’t.  We came across for the 2 to go and I moved up to about 12^th-15th wheel going into turn 2, they drilled it up the hill and I fade back a few positions. I didn’t get myself up far enough when we hit the 2 to go lap. The pace was hot, Jason Knauff had bridged to another guy (Sven) about half a straight up the road before we finished the lap. Hit the bell lap and its fast and singled out as far as the eye can see. I do my best to hold position but I fade a little more on the rise again. However, I actually have a little punch left and am able to sprint past several guys after the corner to the line. 21^st ugh. But, legs are beginning to feel better and stronger at the end of a race. The mistake made was not moving up higher on those few laps leading to the bell lap. This mistake was not repeated come Monday.

Sunday:

Wow…it was HOT, so hot the squirrels didn’t even bother to come out of the trees. Not much to say, moves went off here and there with little success then a few get up the road. The pack is starts going hard one lap, then easy one lap, then hard the next. Rinse and repeat this about 5 times and the up and down pace in the heat is killing me. Vic Rentas (PACT) decides to elevate it and start bringing these 2 or 3 guys back. I sit on his wheel while he puts down a steady lap, then I pull through for a strong lap. I ease up to let the next guy come through…doesn’t happen. No one besides Vic and I want to do anything. I slow all the way down to 19 or 20mph for half a lap before someone finally decides that to help. I hang for a couple more laps. Suddenly get chills and goose bumps down my arms and the hot wind actually feels like about 65 degrees. 35 minutes in, I’m done; I want to race the long course on Monday. I pull out, then Joe B. (Lefty) pulls out a lap later, then Ricardo pulls out a lap later. Sitting under the S/F tent the pack is shrinking every lap. Dump cold water down my neck and live to race another day, I’m out.