Post Free Duathalon

What a great time we all had at the Duathalon. THANK YOU!! We were so pleased to see everyone there! We missed alot of you due to a marathon that same day....but hey maybe next time. We would love to hear your feedback on our "just for fun" event. We would like to do another one, how about even a run/road bike one? Anything is possible. Since everyone had such a good time, maybe we should do a costume theme, or something wacky like that?

Love to hear from you all!

Dan and Dawn

Napa Grand Prix, 35+ 3/4

Napa Grand Prix Race Report 21 June, 2008
By Michael ORourke

First off, this is a super fun event. Five stars in my book! Great technical course (more later) and the most spectator friendly event I’ve been to. And it’s in Napa, how bad can that be ? O.K, now for to the down and dirty.
Weather; 84 and sunny, up to mid 90’s by noon and a very slight breeze.
Course; Total length - .5 mi., counter clockwise. 3 short 90* left turns (around one block) followed by a 90* right. Down the straight into a slight headwind (about 200 meters), another 90* left, and immediate 180* (Left again) into a sweeping right, then another 150 meters to the start/finish (picture an upside down “P”.)
Go ahead, re-read that. I’ll wait.
Right off the bat I can tell three things about this course; 1) it’s very break friendly, 2) Going into the bell lap out of turn 4 (entering the first long straight) you’ll need to be no farther back than 6th, and preferably 2nd or 3rd if you want any chance at the podium, 3) the 180* turn will exact it’s pound of flesh. Maybe even several pounds!
My parents were up from Palm Desert for a visit and have never seen me race. In fact, I think they’ve never even seen a bicycle race, period. I mention this because while we arrived a little later than I would have liked, I failed to take into account the amount of time it would take to get them familiarized with the venue and settled in somewhere. Bottom line is I ended with just enough time to suit up and get to the line – no warm up. This will be interesting! We started off and as expected. This is a very quick and aggressive race. Because the course is as short and tight as it is, any riders who fall off the back get pulled in short order. Almost like a Miss and Out track event. After a few laps of getting familiar with the course and figuring out the best lines to take thru all the twists and turns I’m getting a little more comfortable with the layout and thinking more about my strategy. My biggest area of concern is still the 180 as everyone seems to have a different idea of which line is the best/safest/fastest. Some going wide, some cutting it early, and everything in between. One big clusterf*** that has “Disaster” written all over it! Sure enough, maybe 10 laps into it, a rider took the inside line a little too hot and is now sliding towards you know who. The good part is that this didn’t surprise me, and while he did knock me sideways a little I was able to remain upright and slightly ahead of him. The bad news is just as I thought I would emerge unscathed, I suddenly found myself going over the front of my bike for no explainable reason. Then the panic set in! Turns out he hit me hard enough to pull a portion of my front tire off the rim (tubulars). As the misaligned tire rolled thru the brake calipers it wedged in, locking up and pole vaulted me over the front. Well, at least it was low speed and early in the race. I shouldered my bike (along with three other riders) and jogged up to the pit. The Williams wheel guys were great and with some not so gentle persuasion we managed to wrench the front wheel out and get a replacement in. So, “Once more into the breech, dear friends” and I was on the back and working my way up.
I immediately noticed that the Willams wheel handled very differently than the ones I have and am accustomed to. I’m not saying they’re bad, just different. And this isn’t the kind of course I want to learn about new handling characteristics. So I spent a couple laps getting around guys along the straight just to have them get back around me in the corners. Still, there’s something that doesn’t feel quite right about the bike. Then I realize the other problem – now I have a flat rear tire! Once again into the pit for a wheel change, and once more into the breech. By now I have adjusted somewhat and can at least work with what I have. I just had to mentally relax and accept the situation. I was able to work my way up to the top ten just as the lap cards came out. I’m not one to make excuses, but I really didn’t have the confidence thru the corners (because of the different wheels) and didn’t contest my positioning thru the first few corners of the bell lap. I did manage to keep 6th place out of turn 4(as discussed earlier) and passed two on the finish sprint after the hairpin for 4th over all. Not altogether bad when you consider a crash and a flat into the mix! While I came into this race expecting to contest the win, all things considered, I’m quite happy with the way this turned out.

Napa Grand Prix, 35+ 3/4

Napa Grand Prix Race Report 21 June, 2008
By Michael ORourke

For course and weather, see the previous race report.
Right off the start I hear my Mom yell “Keep your tires on!.” Moms - ya’ gottta’ love ‘em! This race (45+) was a smaller group and better behaved than the 35’s. Right away I can see that we are all taking the same (and in my opinion best) line thru the hairpin. I also had my familiar wheels back on so handling was no longer an issue. I did manage to have my rear wheel bumped once, but it was over before I knew it. There were a couple attacks, but nothing substantial. A few primes offered up, but I wasn’t interested in contesting those. I’m after those upgrade points! There’s one rider who keeps going off the front and I can tell he’s hungry for a break. He looks capable, too. So, he spends a few laps off the front, and the gap seems to be growing. Todd Marshal, of Armstrong Lending is an old teammate of mine and went down with me in the last race. He’s had many good results thus far this season and I figured I could count on him for a good break partner. Counting him and the other guy already off the front I figured three of us had a good chance of staying away should we bridge up. No one else seemed interested in closing the gap, and it had become uncomfortable for me to let this guy get farther away. So as I pull thru past the Z-Team rider I ask if he’s ready to shut this down. He just smiled, so I took that as a “Yes”. A couple corners later I look back and I have about 5 seconds on the group. So I figured “Fine, I’ll bridge up by myself and the rest can race for 3rd. Just then along comes Todd and an ICCC rider. Good, reinforcements! Another lap or so and the four of us have a 10 second gap and are working together fairly well. I can tell Todd was a little cooked from bridging, but figured he’d recover. I wasn’t going to feel comfortable until we had at least 20 seconds on the field so every time I pulled thru I really tried to drill it. Then, as I yelled back at Todd to get on my wheel he simply replied, “I can’t, your hurting me!”. The other two didn’t seem to be fairing much better, either. “This is so cool!” I thought. I’m in a break and apparently the strongest rider in it. All we have to do is hit that 20 second mark and I’m golden. 10 seconds grew to 12, then 15, then 18, and within a few more laps, 20 – the magic number. Even though I was doing a majority of the work it was worth it as I could now take a little recovery, even if it cost us some time. The announcer threw up a couple prims to get the pack to chase. Apparently a couple riders attempted but failed and now they offered a prime to us the lead group. I came thru completely uncontested and that confirmed it for me. Now the lap cards have come out (10 to go) and just in case anyone is playing possum back there, I decide to gap a little each lap before the straight section into the wind, which had now picked up enough to be a factor. I took my recovery into the wind while they chased back on and then would drill it again thru the corners. I unexpectedly picked up a 5 second gap with 3 to go. These are really short laps so I figured I could solo it in from here. I though I was off the front, but then the ICCC rider came past me just over the start/finish line going into the bell lap. I’m thinking either he’s might still have a lot left in the tank and this will be a very hot lap, and I damn well better not settle for 2nd after all that. Not with my Mom watching and all! As it turns out this was merely a tactical error on his part. He wasn’t’ strong enough to pull away and all he did was give me a really great lead out into the wind. Maybe he figured I was cooked? Had he sat on my wheel instead, he might have had a better chance at contesting the sprint. The key for me at this point is to stay on his wheel out of the wind, and don’t f-up the hairpin! Around we go, total concentration and I nailed it! Now it’s a drag race to the finish and the way my sprint has been lately I had total confidence. I got the jump (slightly) coming out of the turn because of the perfect line, and I think adrenaline must have gotten the better of me as I actually passed him much sooner than expected. Again, I wasn’t going to go this far and take second! I even had time to sit up and mug before the finish! Man, that felt great! Normally I don’t encourage that kind of selfishness, but it does seem to be a bike racing tradition, and those opportunities don’t come along all that often.

Specialized/Sierra Nevada Crit, Elite 3

Specialized/Sierra Nevada Crit Race Report 14 June, 2008
by Michael ORourke

Course: .9mi, clockwise, and kind of a “D” shape. After the start/finish line there’s a 90* right turn, a long looping 180* (right again), a hard 90* and a slight “S” bend for 200 meters back to the line. Weather: 94* & sunny with a slight breeze. I didn’t expect anything atypical form this race and those expectations were met. There were several attempts at breaks, but nothing stuck, mostly due to “negative” racing. That is, everyone is waiting for someone else to start a break or bridge up. Periodically someone has a dig and promptly gets run down by the group. Not much to do but sit in, which was fine by me as I’m comfortable with a bunch sprint.

This almost makes two races out of one. The first race is to the lap cards. Today’s objective is to conserve energy without missing the winning break. Normally I would patrol the front, but this group didn’t feel as sketchy as they usually are, so I sat back in the pack a little more and kept an eye out for any potential escapees. Once the lap cards come out (5 to go) the game of positioning begins. And just like comedy, it’s all about the timing and knowing your audience (or fellow racers in this case). Again, this group seemed to be riding defensively, so it was unlikely the pace would escalate much thru the countdown. Stay in the top 25%, move into the top 10 with 3 or 2 to go, top 6 on the bell lap. I had planned on making a run up the outside because the inside lane can close without notice. However, I found myself on the inside anyway. I also planned on launching my sprint from the fire hydrant (about 100 meters or so before the last corner). Fortunately, the inside lane opened up just briefly enough for me to slip ahead of the big surge to the curb. The objective was to get in front of the group just before the last corner, take it as hot as possible and gut it out to the finish. While I wasn’t in front going into the corner, I rounded the coener 4th or so. Still, a workable scenario. Turns out the guy leading our little parade thru the corner was leading out his brother, and doing a fine job of it. It also meant they were both now leading me out. And that ladies and gentlemen, is what we call “poaching a wheel” =) Anyway, after we slingshot thru the corner, I think there were now 2 riders and about 2 bike lengths between me and the finish. Nothing left to do but put my head down and peddle like a hamster on crack !

This is the time when practicing form sprints pays off. I didn’t have to think about what gear to be in, or remember to put my hands a little farther up the drops so I can up shift to keep my cadence, keeping my head down, or any of that stuff. It now has become automatic. I passed #2 on my right with no problem, he was already starting to fade. #1 was still going strong, but I could tell he had topped out. I was still gaining and it was now just a matter of real estate. I actually got around him a little sooner than I expected and told myself to stay smooth and keep going until I could no longer see his wheel in my peripheral, which is exactly what I did. Another win for Victory Velo and a confidence builder for moi…not to mention more upgrade points !

Golden State Crit - 45+ 3/4/5, 35+ 3/4

Golden State Crit Race Report 24 May, 2008
By Michael ORourke

After a brief rest after the Elite 3, we’re cuing up for the 45+ 3/4/5 race. The road has dried. Generally the Masters riders are more stable, so in my mind, the hardest part of the day is over and I can think less about the other racers and more about my own game. I know a few of these guys and the biggest question in my mind is will there be a break, or field sprint. Jes is in the field, as well as Mark Patten. They’re former teammates. Both these guys can stay off the front if they want so I’ll have to watch them. For the most part the race was pretty uneventful. As expected, no crashes or goofiness. No breakaways either. 30 minutes went by before I knew it, and then the lap cards come out with 5 to go. I eased back a little with the anticipation of moving up at three to go, which is exactly what I did. A stroke of luck for me on the last lap as someone stumbled a bit thru the hairpin. I smoothly slipped up my favorite inside line and into 6th position with relatively little effort. Perfect, right where I want to be! It had the added benefit of forcing the rest of the field into a chase that would tap their legs a bit for the sprint. Never forget that luck always factors into crit racing. The trick seems to be staying relaxed, fluid and dynamic so you can quickly recover from or exploit events as they present themselves. So, down the back straight and I’m safely tucked into the draft around 6th place. Cool, frosty and fresh. Thru the next right with one turn to go. I can see the guys in front of me glancing at each other, sizing each other up. I think they were trying to assess who might jump first after the last turn. Remember what I said about exploiting opportunities? It couldn’t have happened at a better time. 350 meters out and these guys are thinking about it?! Without hesitation - more of a reflex than a thought - I grab two gears, drop to the inside and pin it. A hard line thru the corner, and as soon as my bike came back something close to vertical, “Ride like you stole it”! This time that feeling of pulling it off turned out to be right. The jump must have caught these guys unaware, and it was over before it was done. I didn’t look back (another rule of mine), but I’m told by the race officials there was a good 20 to 30 meter gap. Finally, a “W” and some upgrade points.

Another rest and the 35+ 3/4 race is under way. By now the officials have removed the hairpin as too many riders have crashed. So now it’s a straight up 4 corner crit, with some wind. Yup, just begging for a breakaway. The strategy? Wait for some guys to get off the front…not too far…and bridge up when it looks like it’s the right mix and might stick. After a little over the half way thru and a few break attempts, it looks like this one will stick. Mike form Chico Corsa, whom I know to be strong, another Mike from Davis, Jes (remember him?) and one other are in the break and they all have a strong team contingent in the main group. Jeff, from Chico Corsa and one of the other teammates are already trying to block, and the others will soon follow suit. The timing couldn’t be better! As I jump up the left side on the home straight, I see Ron from Rio Strada coming up the right with the same idea. I meter my effort to merge neatly behind his wheel for a nice tow to the lead group. As we approach I pull thru and continue the drive as Ron yells at the others to get on. For the next 10 laps or so the six of us work together fairly well. Some guys needed a little more prodding than others, but we were getting it done. Again, before I knew it, the lap cards came out with 5 to go. Time to start thinking about the finish. We can’t let up or start attacking each other yet or the main group will pull us back. Here’s the part of crit racing that’s a little like poker – the bluff. Look like you’re really hurting and barely hanging on. Gap a little at the back and skip a pull. Not too many…just one here and one there. When you do pull thru, make sure it’s only enough to do some work. Remember, you’re racing with and against each other at the same time. As we cross the line with 3 to go it looks like we’ll stay away. Then, the craziest thing I’ve seen to date: what appears to be a 5 or 6 year old kid has made the executive decision to run across the course right in front of us!! Of course he’s a kid, and half way across he panics and does his crazy squirrel impersonation. “I can make it..no I can’t..wait..I can”. Fortunately, no one got hurt. Unfortunately, it split our little group into threes, with those less fortunate (Ron, Jes, and the other guy) getting swallowed up by the main group. Just me, Mike and Mike. Three Mikes in the break. Told you it was a strange race! Chico Mike seemed to be suffering the most and Davis Mike seemed to be superfresh, with me in between. Again, I figure my best chance is a 300 meter jaunt to the line. The trick is to take my last pull early enough to force someone else out front before the sprint. In hindsight, I should have tried to force Davis into the last lead out, but it didn’t work out that way. Instead, I attacked Chico Mike at the same spot as last race, with Davis Mike on my wheel. As expected I dropped one and the other pulled thru for the win. Still, I’ll take second place over a poke in the eye any day, and three top tens in one day doesn’t suck too bad either

Golden State Crit - Elite 3

Golden State Crit Race Report 24 May, 2008
By Michael ORourke

Weather; drizzle with very wet roads in the morning. Clearing with dry roads by 11:00. Course; Clockwise, technical, roughly rectangular with an “appendix” immediately after the start/finish (left, then straight 50 meters, sharp 180, then back to the remainder of the course). As if that wasn’t interesting enough, there’s a groove in the pavement near the curb on the first left hand turn which claimed many a rider. Slight headwind up the back straight, short run across the top and then 200 meters to the finish. Being as wet and technical as it was you could count on three things; crashes, crashes, and more crashes. Oh yea, and the lap after lap acceleration out of the hairpin will do a number on the legs! The elite cat 3 was my first race, and went pretty much as expected. My strategy was to stay in from, even if it meant compromising my sprint. First lap, crash and a pile up on the first right turn. I somehow managed to negotiate around the skittering bikes and tumbling riders. Next lap and one turn later, the same thing. I must have had that Jedi mind trick going as I’m not really sure how they didn’t take me out with them. Just for good measure, I hit the groove in turn one for a near fall and an extra shot of adrenalin. Whew! Two laps down and only about 20 to go…for the first race. Perhaps I’ll re-think the rest of my day. But not just now as I need to focus. I made sure to stay in the top 6 or so for the remainder of the event. Every few laps I could hear skids, scrapes, and the occasional unmistakable sound of bikes and their parts skittering across the pavement. Hey, there’s Josh! Probably going by me with the same thing in mind. Glad it wasn’t him that I heard going down. Anyway, the guys in front of me seem to be pretty stable. Ron, from Rio Strada did a lot of leading out. I know him to be a strong, experienced racer and it felt reassuring to see him up there. Round and round we went. I soon figured out that the inside line at the hairpin was the best one. It resulted in the least effort for acceleration which I think paid off at the end, and for the rest of the day as well. Which brings me to the finish strategy. I’m not the most explosive sprinter, and two hundred meters isn’t long enough for me to expect a good finish. The slick corners make it equally unlikely to launch across the top and drill the last corner. Quite a dilemma that I spent the remaining laps trying to sort out.
5 to go and the pace picks up, as expected. But no serious breaks, and into the bell lap the pack slows a bit up the back side. By now I have figured that I need to go for a long - as in half a lap - run for the finish and hope I can gut it out for a decent placing. Just then it looks like another rider has the same idea. I jump on his wheel thinking “this is too perfect”. Yep, it was. He sat up about 50 meters too early for me to make good use. I could see the surge coming up the inside in my peripheral, so what the heck. I’m committed at this point anyway. Away we go. and boy is this going to hurt! Head down, legs and lungs burning, choosing a careful line thru the two corners. No one’s come around me yet?! Hey, this might just work! 200 to go, 150…oh, there they are. Crap! First One goes by, then two three, four five six, Gotta hold on! Ten more pedal strokes and…done.. For 8th place! No points, but at least it’s a top ten (and I didn’t crash…always a bonus).

PCRS Team Competition - week 2

Week 2, 21 May, 2008
By Michael ORourke

Another fine week of racing for the V.V. crew! Both teams came thru with a strong showing on a windy (gusts up to 35 mph!) double points day. The Ladies continue their dominance over the field. Dawn T. appears to have her mechanical issues under control and came thru for the win. Amy and Dawn I-B. came thru in 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Nice job again Ladies!!
The “B” team had a good day as well with everyone finishing within the top ten (except for Abe, who had mechanical issues). Of particular note, Justin finished 2nd, Ken Downey 4th, Jay and myself 5th, and how about newbie Kristy Dostart finishing 4th as well! All this was enough move from 4th to 3rd overall. Great job everyone! Keep up the hard work. As you all know, this coming Wednesday is a by week so rest up and be ready to ramp it up for the last 4 weeks.

PCRS Team Competition - Week 1

Week 1, 14 May, 2008
by Michael ORourke

Thanks to all who came out for the team competition last Wed. Our three man...er, woman team has already thrown the smack down in that division, exactly as we expected ! Dawn Tebbs dropped her chain - twice - and still pulled 2nd. Amy finally got around Kat Pollard (who's been holding her off so far in the series) for the win, and Dawn Infurna-Bean came thru for 4th with the same Swiss-clock consistency that got her the win at this year's Coolest 24. Nice job Ladies...and Dawn T =)

Our 5+ team is also off to a strong start in what looks to be a hotly contested series. Mad Cat, Above and Beyond, and Breakouts #1, along with V.V. Racing are all within 1 point. Steve Bowman had a "Spot of bother" with a flat on the last lap. Rumor has it he was in 2nd up to that point. Props to you, Steve for hoofing it in instead of abandoning!! Also of honorable mention are Josh Hughes, Justin Romney, newcomer Kristy Dostart who all placed 4th, Jay Garrard (5th), Roger Lackey (3) and yours truly, 2nd.

Just like last year, it looks as if every place will count, so check your division and see who you have to beat. Stay consistent, and put that extra effort in knowing that your result may be the difference. But hey, no pressure =).
See you all out there Wednesday !

Ride strong!

Nappa Valley Dirt Classic

Napa Valley Dirt Classic Race Report 13 April, 08
by Steve Bowman

I headed down to Angwin to do the Napa Valley Dirt Classic on Sunday. I did it for the first time, and really enjoyed it. What a classic course! It has it all really and is not one to miss. I drove down to Napa with Stacey and Hannah and we got there in plenty of time to reg and hang out with a bunch of familiar faces from local races. The weather was incredible. I could not believe how warm it was…definitely the warmest day of the year so far.

I pre-registered in the singlespeed sport category with the hope upgrading to singlespeed expert if they let me do it without an annual license. Get to the registration table and they confirm that all Expert categories require a $60 annual license…I was not ready to shell out $60 for a license….so, Singlespeed Sport it is! I bumped into Victory Velo teammate Todd Richardson in the registration line, and he going to be racing singlespeed sport as well.
Back to the car to get ready to warm-up. I found out the other night my 29'er won't fit on the trainer so I rode laps on the finish "track" for a bit and did 2 "starts" up the start hill. Oh not so good. Legs are not feeling too good. I guess Prairie City on Wednesday night and two hard rides and Thursday and Friday put me in the pain box off the blocks but I knew I would recover and get better as the race progressed.

Singlespeed starts must be the funniest thing ever to watch. A bunch of guys furiously peddling at over 100 rpm and going nowhere fast. LOL. I start a few rows back and held good position up to the "hike a bike" section which was slick because it was loose, dry and very dusty. I got over the top and was now chasing Todd, Cody Kaiser and a Sycip guy and it looked like I was maybe in 9th place, but it was hard to tell because the singlespeed sport and expert classes started together.

Our group of four is cruising trough the first 2-3 miles of flat fire roads at a fast pace. I am focused on a smooth spin and steady breathing, and notice that I am spinning faster than the rest of the group. It is going to be tough to hold onto their wheel. I am running 2:1 (32x18) on a 29’er. I guess they must be running a slightly bigger gear. I had received advice that attrition plays a big part in this race, as there are 2 steep climbing sections near the end of the race and if you could stay strong you have a good chance of reeling guys back after the big hike-a-bike. We hit the first climb and pass a couple singlespeed racers, and transition into some gradual downhill mixed with some flats. Still having trouble with pace on the flat sections. I decide to let the group go hoping to catch back on later in the race.

After 30 min or so I start getting into some of the Pro/Expert women, which wasn't a problem. Not long after that I got into the tight single track. I hit the fourth or fifth turn in the singletrack a little hot and overshoot the turn into some bushes. While getting untangled, one singlespeeder passes me. I am back on course (no injuries) and I quickly catch up noticing that he is in singlespeed expert class. We ride together through the incredible redwood covered singletrack chatting and laughing occasionally. The course has epic switchbacks and I kept telling my self to keep the pace up and not daydream about the beautiful scenery. The rider in front of me introduces himself as Jeremy with Breakaway Bikes. We ride the rest of the singletrack section together and take turns pulling on the flat sections before the big downhill into Pope Valley. It’s about an hour + into the race I am feeling good but am starting to feel some fatigue.

We hit the big downhill and begin the BIG climb out of the backside of the valley. It is at this point that I realize just how hot it has gotten now that we are on the hot exposed hike-a-bike section. Sweat is pouring off of me. Jeremy disappears up the hill. Did I say it was Hot!? I guess my body was not accustom to the summer-like temps. I kept the pace as high as I could and I managed to catch another guy on the steepest part of the climb, of course we are both pushing our bikes, I was just able to push a little quicker :) reach the top of the steep section, grab some water and see Todd Richardson in the distance. I hop back on the biking hoping to catch him and quickly realize it not going to happen.

My legs are now very tired. I have officially popped. I reach the short pavement section and look back to see a somewhat familiar face. It’s Jeff Barker (Folsom Breakout) who races in the same division with me at the Prairie City Race Series. Where the heck did he come from???? At this point, I know it is going to be a battle to the finish line. For a moment I am not paying attention to course and make a wide turn before the nasty hike a bike section. Barker takes the inside line, passes me and nails it down the steep section. As I follow him down, the my wheel jumps into a bad line and it forces me to take the bottom turn slower and wider. Meanwhile, Barker is sprinting down the fire road creating a gap between us. As we fly down through the meadow and onto the track, he maintains a 200-300’ lead and beats me to line by 8 seconds. Overall, I finished my category in fourth place with a time of 1:50:28. Kind of a bummer to miss the podium by one place…but that’s racing.

I saw Todd after the race. He ended having a great race. He finished in 2nd place with a time of 1:49:30.

What a fantastic race! My goal for the day was to finish top 5 for my category, so I am happy with the 4th place result. Props all around to the organizers. I loved this race. It is a tough course, but I am definitely going to do it again next year!

MERCO CRIT

Merco Race Report 02-03 March, 2008
By Michael ORourke

This is a very fun event! 36 laps with an electronic lap counter at the top of the start banner. And a radar speed display borrowed from the CHP at the finish. How cool is that?! Oh, and $100 prime laps!!

Weather: Sun with scattered clouds, 50f, 12-15 mph wind from the NNW. Believe it or not that’s important, and here’s why: The course is counter clockwise, .8 mile and technical with 9 corners. The start/finish is slightly uphill with the wind from in front and slightly to the left. Avoid the Bot-Dots, a 90 degree left, 100 meters or so to a quick series of left/right/left ‘s’ turns which eventually gets you going south (opposite the start/finish direction), followed immediately by a 90 degree right, another 100 meters West, this time with a headwind from slightly off the right. That was the hard part. From here on it’s the last 3 corners of a rectangle, with a tailwind down the back straight, and buildings blocking the wind at the bottom. Avoid the Bots on the last turn into the finish.

Still with me? Good! Here’s the strategy; Bust a move at the start/finish and gap going into the first turn. Usually the group won’t negotiate the technical section as fast as a strong individual. Plus, the headwind will be off the right, minimizing any draft benefit and the straight is too short to organize an echelon. Down the back straight with (mostly) a tailwind again minimizes any draft advantage of the group. Yeah, sure you’re cooked by the last turn, but hopefully adrenaline will put the cap on it. And for those of you like Dan who feel it’s a waste to think that much about riding a bike, I watched this very strategy unfold quite successfully in the previous race as I was waiting to take the start.

My other new rule: Never let 3 or more get more than 15 seconds on the field. Why? Because the right 3 can stay away and 15 seconds is about as much distance as I can gap on my own. No sense in getting bit by that snake again as happened last week in Snelling! So, the rest of the race was fairly predictable. A few breaks, mostly primes, but nothing serious – which actually surprised me. Stay in to the front and out of the wind, watch the breaks, yada yada yada. I felt good, legs felt fresh, and next thing you know there’s 10 to go. To Dan’s credit, my plan turned to crap as the speeds were a little too high now to successfully gap. On to plan ‘B’; move up, hang around 5th or 6th, and save it for the finish. Right, like none of the other 100 or so riders had that on their ‘to do’ list! Still I managed and with 3 to go I’m in great position. All I need to do is hold it. Then the surge came and next thing I know I’m at least 20 places back. Should’ve known that was coming! I spent the next 2 laps fighting my way back up and eventually finished 15th.

Sorry for the anti-climactic finish as I came into this race really feeling that I could win it. However the day was still a success as I learned that I have the fitness I need, and I at least understand the dynamics of this type of racing to be competitive. But putting it all together is another story. Hopefully a story for another day that involves a podium =)