RATL 1 - 18.4.09

Hey, it's racing season again! This is the first race with my new team, Spin Cycling Team, so excitement was high.

Over the off season, I've managed to put together some training and keep my weight reasonable, but with no intensity yet. I had NO idea how the first Race at the Lakes would go.

I could not make Sunday's Cover Bridge race, so my intent was to do a double, Master's race, then the 1.2.3 race immediately following. I figured it'd jump start my legs.

I lined up with about 30 45+ and 5 35+. It's good to see those numbers, it seems most of the 35+ guys were saving it for the 1.2.3 race. MVC had the numbers, with at least 5. Lake Effect and Stark both had 3, the rest were singles and doubles. The downside was I only had one other team mate, and I didn't even see John until 2 laps in, so our race planning was low.

Typical first race, handling skills were a bit low for the first few laps. I had one guy decide the didn't want to be next to the field in the wind, so he dove in right in front of me... that reminds me to stay near the front!

The race was pretty mundane after that. I tried to go with a couple of moves that got brought back pretty quickly. Nothing was really getting away, mostly because Lake Effect had Nate on the front pulling for nearly the whole race. That is not an exaggeration either.

At 8 to go, they rang a $10 prime, and the whole field ramped up. I must have forgotten how to fight for position, since I was about 12 back heading into the hill. I was third wheel as Phil tried to lead Jim out for MVC. We started up the right side as a TriTech guy shot up the left. He was quick on the uphill sprint, and ended up nabbing it easily.

With 5 to go, Dick Brink (RGF) wound up his attack through the parking lot. Followed shortly by Sal from MVC. I knew that was the move... since they got about 200m in less than half a lap. The MVC guys were talking about blocking, and that would NOT have been good. So I jumped out on the hill hoping to get across.

Unfortunately, I only brought Phil from MVC with me. Great, he won't help me get up there. I was still hoping that MVC would keep the block and we could at least get away for 3 and 4 place, but I guess I haven't put in that much training. I lasted about a lap and a half before getting pulled back. The good news is that the gap to Sal and Dick didn't go up while I attempted the bridge. The bad news is it didn't go down either.

As Nate came by, he said something about "Let's go get them"... I pretty much just laughed... and went back into the field for a bit of rest.

Next time up the hill, I looked back and realized two things. The field had shrunk... and I was at the back.

With 2 to go, the rang a second field prime. This time I was a bit further back, as the TriTech guy spun a crazy gear to get over the top for the second time.

As we came through for the prime, they ring the last lap bell. Dick and Sal are still off the front, so those two places are taken. I wound up what I had left and got in about 11th in the field. It's kind of hard to sprint for the place after I laid it all out to get into the break. Oh well. Props to Sal for the win and Dick for second. I think John Bodell got fifth overall, but I'm not 100% sure.

Since it was so much fun in the Master's, committed to the 1.2.3 race. I think mostly because I was disappointed in how the Master's race went. Shot a gu and lined up.

We had Mike Vega, Tom Keller and Brian Limkemann in the field... still no prerace plan that I knew of... Tom may have had a plan, but probably knew I wasn't going to be much help.

First thing I noticed about the big race.... there is no neutral start. We were off from the whistle, and I was already moving backwards. At the end of the first lap, I was on the back... and working to not get gapped. By the end of the second lap, it was clear... I was 20m off and NOT going to see the field again. So what else to do... keep going. I paid for this race, I'm going to get the training... kind of like a gym membership... or cyclocross once the field opens up. I wasn't the only one off the back, but I think I was the first. Pretty much expected that with how much I did in my first race though.

Three laps on my own doing tempo work before the lead group caught me. I let that go then jumped on the tail of the field. I stuck with that for a lap and a half but came off when they accelerated through the parking lot. Nothing left in the legs, but I still kept going.

This time, I sat up for some recovery. They came around soon enough, and I jumped on the back. Lasted another lap, and came off with a couple others. We kind of grouped together and I ended up pulling the downhill section, but when tried to pull off the front, the other two didn't want to work. I made the turn into the parking lot and an Elves racer pretty much attacked... well, that's what it looked like to me. I couldn't follow, and the other guy was gapped also. I managed to pull myself back to the second, and then haul him back to the Elves guy... then I just wanted to sit on as long as possible. It wasn't long. They rode away from me next time through the parking lot.

So, I got caught again, and jump on the back being three laps down. The race is only about half over... and I'm on the back with Tony Marut who was now one lap down, and another guy that jumped back in after a flat. I told them I was now three down, so do not get behind me. I made it half a lap this time, and they were both behind me through the parking lot... I waved them through... and I was done. Heading toward four laps down, I spun another 2 laps cool down, and since I had nothing left to drink, I called it a day.

The first race I have ever dropped out of... yay. But it's good training. Looking for better results next week. Still, I raced my bike, worked hard, and tried something to get a result. It didn't work, but it was a good day to be racing. Let the season begin!