I did have thoughts about bagging the M35 race at 11:30, but I finally convinced myself that I needed to get back on the horse and get some work in. This weekend was all about riding hard and getting some race fitness back. If I completed all the races, that would make it 3 crits in less than 24 hours. I was a little bruised up, but not that bad really. Heck, not many chances come along where you can line up with the likes of Chuck, Ramon, SuperDave, etc, etc.
I spotted Joe in the lot and said hello. I was really glad he was there. It’s a little nerve rattling when you are entering these M35 races solo. I didn’t really have any expectations. Joe gave me a little advice and suggested I try to work on staying at the front of the group and get some work. See how it feels. That’s pretty much what I did.
I don’t know how many starters there were, but I’d guess ~25-30. Although the course wasn’t selective, it quickly became apparent that the attacks were. In a small, powerful field there really is nowhere to hide. Two guys shot off the front right away, Warno & Hoover I believe. Somehow, I found myself up toward the front and began marking attacks. My legs felt pretty good. It seemed pretty strung out for much of the time. My peak 30s (676w), 1min (594) & 2min (492) all came within the first 2 minutes of the race. Yowza.
It was sort of weird. I found myself a few times chasing down attacks. Getting on the wheel and then pulling through. BUT, I started to notice a trend. When it was only me marking an attack, they’d sit up and I ended being in no man’s land. It occurred a couple of other times with various riders throughout the race. I will admit that it was sort of a highlight of mine to have the opportunity to chase behind Chuck a few times. Thinking back, I think it was good lesson. If you attack, and the make-up of the fellow guys isn’t to your pleasing, shut it down quickly because the other attacks will be going right away. There were a few times where I went, got caught and then viscous attacks came on. I was hurting to hold on after redlining already. This has got be an art form to get it right. Very cool to experience it, although it was very painful.
Maybe ignorance is bliss. I was trying not to be bashful. I felt like I did a good job of being active in the race. I got to the front at times and tried to help keep the pace up. Everything got a little foggy about 2/3’s through, but somehow I ended up with another a guy off the front of the field. I think by now there were about 6 guys up in THE break. THE 6 guys you’d expect to be there of course. I just ask the guy to do short, hard pulls and see what happens. Eventually another ~3-5 guys joined us. We got a little sporadic and the small field finally came back. On the bell lap, I found myself toward the front. I turned to look for Joe on the backstretch and he hollered to get on his wheel. I did for a bit, but when riders started peeling off the front I had to go around the outside. I eventually got back on his wheel after the final roundabout and threw down an “on fumes” sprint. Bo was crushing it and opened up a pretty large gap.
I now know why I was completely spent during the 4 race after a one hour break.
1st 10mins of race my power was 349avg/413np. 1st 20mins 355ap/403np. 1st 30mins 336ap/384np. Entire race= 319ap/365np. Ouch
Overall, I had a great time. It was a blast. It was like a noon HP ride on steroids. It was nice to actually finish one of these M35 races after my forays at Bikejam and Clarendon Cup.
Oh, yeah, the 4 race. Honestly, I knew I was pretty wiped out, so I pretty much chilled at the back and just tried to stay out of trouble. It was fun to watch Flanagan attacking off the front. At one point, I decided to give it go. I attacked to bridge up to him, but I was totally gassed once I caught him. I brought one pretty strong ABRT guy with me, so I thought maybe he would start working with him. It didn’t work out.
I did get to witness some amazing bunny hop skills by Flanagan though. Since I was in the back, I saw the whole thing play out. I guess we were about 35 mins into the race and just after first turn, Flanagan got sandwiched onto the curb by a guy. The guy came over way to quick off his line and Flanagan had nowhere to go. It just happened to be at a parking lot entrance so he was able to hop right, but he was heading straight for the ensuing curb at 25mph+. Astonishingly, he managed to bunny hop the curb, but his rear wheel still caught the 8” curb pretty hard. He didn’t blow his tire, but at this point he was in the grass. I slowed and Michael started rolling down the sidewalk, but then his rear tire blew. I hollered to him if he wanted my wheel. This race was classified as a road race, so there wasn’t a wheel pit or free lap. He was riding well and I wanted to see him continue. We hollered at the moto ref if it was ok that I give him my wheel. Looking back, I should have just stopped and gave him my wheel. It was legal. Michael said, “no, no. Go on.” But really, I know he said that so he didn’t ruin my race. He didn’t realize how shot I was. So, I used what was left in my tank and put in a minute at like 650 watts to catch back up to the field. It was kind of funny. I think I startled the moto ref as I came by him to the back of the field. I think he had written me off. That was all she wrote. Finished with the field.
Legs are definitely a bit sore today but in a good way. I accomplished what I set out to do for the weekend and had fun. It was also good to end the weekend on a high note versus not racing after a crash.
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