Michael, Alex and I headed out West of Northampton for an early race. The three of us were racing in the same Cat3/4 race that day. Alex was all knotted up about the race, Micahal and I were just here to see what the big boys would dole out for pain.
This year's race wasn't canceled, but maybe it ought to have been on my accord. I signed up for the 3/4 race, thinking I was superman and could run up a mountain the week before. I tested myself mid-week at a crit and was now prepared to get spanked - and that I did. The night prior to the race I noticed my front brake would re-center to touch the wheel if I turned the bars too far... umh hum. Driving West with Michael and Alex we noticed the crazy gale force winds. Ok, maybe this is just a passing front that will be out of here in an hour..?? Nope! One minute before the race I needed to water the flowers, oh no this isn't good with 2h 30m of racing to do!
That day I learned most importanly WIND is a horrible thing to race against and a bladder should be emptied before a 3hr race begins. Not a the side of the biggest hill around when you *think* you have enough gap ahead of your teammates to catch back onto.
The first 20 miles were mostly downhill, where your hair is standing on the back of your neck because ~90 racers are all within a few inches of one another. It's been a month since my last road race and this all took a little to get used to. I felt a few bumps on the arm as we were descending at about 30 miles an hour into the wind. There appeared to be some rather inexperienced riders present too- swerving for potholes or manhole covers on the edges. The road surface wasn't great and the winds were probably affecting folks at the front.
Take a look at the climbing that was to come! Seen on Motionbased
I jockeyed for position nearing the end of our descent and got the good word from Scott Broooks to continue to move up, yessir! Then he said to shift down into the little ring and stay there- aye aye cap'n. As we rounded the corner to the hill it stood up as did I. I tried to pace off other guys as the field began to split; but I was taxing myself just a bit too much. Alex rode off in front of me, Scott was somewhere nearby but ahead, Michael, Greg and Geoff were behind. I was desparatley in need of a bathroom and leg cramps were starting to hit my left leg because I wasn't drinking any more fluids. This is where you do not pee during the race; here.
As the lead group pulled out of sight and hope of rejoining them came to a close I pulled over. Then mid-way through doing my business my teammates Michael G, Geoff M and Greg B came up and passed asking if I was good. In my dreams I said I'd catch up with them. I remounted and chased to no avail, they continued to pick up riders and get out of sight.
From there on it was a lonely race. I tried best I could to catch back onto the group but they were gone and so was anyone else. By the final strech I cought a few stragglers... one a poser from the Cape with his big beach shades. By the ending few miles that picked up along the riverbed he rolled off and said "I'm soooo cooked man". Yea I believe it- you should man up, buddy.
Teammate Alex deserves the biggest credit, he hung in there with the lead chasers for the entire race! He got a free lunch of it too.
temps:
High|Low|avg
66|51|58
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