got voted to do the race report so here goes.
maybe if I write this long enough, they wont let me do it again!
Get comfortable.
rode down with Will B. and Justin R. The whole way thru the farmland wondering about wind and rain. We got some good pre-race recon from Steve Wick and the Juniors and from Darin who raced the 5s. Prevailing theory seemed to be whatever you do, dont get guttered and strung out in a long line. Fred gave us a good pre-race pep talk/strategy session. We had 11 or so guys in the field and the idea seemed to be get at least one echelon up front to control the race, and if some of our other guys got guttered in single file, then at least start another echelon to get behind the first one and stay closer to the front instead of staying all strung out.
After the neutral promenade for about 3 miles things got going pretty quick a few rollers to start, then a long, flat stretch that strung out the group with a strong wind from the left. Seemed like Robin, Jason, Will, Nelson and a few other guys got things going at the front. A few of us, like me and Stan Ling, and Nowicki would move up together from the back just to make sure we didnt get caught in any kind of gap.
After this section the course moved to our right, into some light rollers and it was the only part of the course that was down wind. It sure never felt like that section lasted very long, because the whole rest of the course we were either into the wind or a heavy cross wind. From there we moved to our right thru some new vineyards that totally exposed us to the brutal wind from our right. It was the best pavement on the course, but there were several puddles that intruded into the road and it was difficult to ever ride more than two abreast. Then we turn right dead into the wind.
This part of the course kind of cracked me up. On the first couple laps, Fred, Lee, Nelson, and I took a couple turns pulling, but on most of the second and third laps the group basically sat in behind me content to hang out forever. I am sure the first couple guys were happy to follow me, but I dont know what anyone else was getting out of it. It got to a point where I was almost testing just how slow I could go. I am sure they were trying to get me wore out but it wasnt very taxing. We had to be going about 12mph at some points, but no one wanted to go any faster. Then came the steepest hill followed by some rollers.
On the first lap thru these rollers I sort of found myself getting run off to the right side of the road into the dirt. Because the pavement was a couple of inches up and we were on an uphill, I didnt feel comfortable trying to bunny hop over it. So, I had to unclick, walk onto the pavement, and get going up hill all over again. I quickly found myself a good 100 yards behind the peloton.
On the drive there with I had talked with Justin and Will about how one of my big problems is mental toughness, and having to stick out those moments when the group seems so close, but you just cant close the gap. We were on the final long stretch of bumpy nasty road with a strong wind from the right. It's the last stretch before the turn to the finish. I tried 2 or 3 times, and couldnt get on the back. I was there cursing myself at the proposition of being dropped on the first lap. I was so dejected. But, I tried 2 or 3 more times and caught on! Side by side with Fred, and time for a rest. I am sure my catch had more to do with the ebb and flow of the group and less to do with my pedaling prowess. But, I was pretty proud of myself at that point for not giving up.
As we started our second lap, going uphill, Hal's chain fell off, and the Red Sea parted around him. Was amazed to see him back with the group by the end of that first stretch. Not much happened for the next couple of laps. Unless you count guys falling off the back all over the place as not much happening. This really was the kind of race where you had to pay attention to where you were in relation to the wind, and the peloton, and be ready for when the group would turn it up, cuz if you were caught sleeping, or behind someone who was, you were toast.
So, speaking of moves, on our final lap, past the feed zone, when we had our downwind section I found myself towards the front. As we passed a group of ladies, the guy in front of me kind of eased up. Some guy chastised him, or us, and said, "Aw c'mon guys, dont ease up now.!" So I took his advice. On previous laps I had felt really good in this stretch, so I kicked to the left side of the road and took off! I got over a couple of rollers and around a couple of turns before I looked back to see quite a bit of space between me and the peloton. I dont know, but maybe a couple hundred yards? I put my head down and kept going. As I went up the final hill towards the flats, I purposefully stood up, hoping the guys behind would notice that I wasnt easing up. Just before the turn into the vineyards, all of a sudden I found Dave Garcia from Infovista with me. They used to be EMC, and I think he used to be with 3rd Pillar. I said to him, "that was fun while it lasted," thinking the rest of the peloton was shortly behind. Looked back and was surprised to see, he was solo. Kind of. As we made the right into the vineyards a third guy joined up, but we still had quite a lead.
Between pulls I am thinking to myself, "this is a cycling dream, and nobody better wake me up," and " I have no business being here." I even said as much to Dave. He was good at organizing us, but I basically said, this was my first time in the position and wasnt really sure of what I was doing. Maybe not the smartest thing to admit, but oh well. We echeloned well together, and I really did catch on quick. As we made the turn dead into the wind, I actually felt pretty good, cuz I knew my teammates werent dong any work, and on previous laps, no one else seemed to want to push the pace into the wind. I was starting to hurt but hanging on for dear life, and finding positivity wherever I could. We passed a group of 3 women, and I told myself that I knew it would tougher for the group to get thru than for us. Mentally it helped. I heard later that it was in fact tougher for them. Problem was, the last set of hills was coming up. On the 3rd lap the first and steepest of these hills just about wore me out. I knew when we got there I was done. I told the other 2 guys they were on their own, and resolved to do my best not to get swallowed up by what was left of the peloton.
In my head I could hear Phil or Paul on "Cyclism Sundays" describing how I would, "live to fight another day," and "here comes the inevitable catch." I tried to ride hard enough to not get caught immediately, but not so hard as to not be able to latch onto the group as they came by. Dave Garcia was long gone, but the second guy in our break was up the road a ways fighting it out solo. As the group caught me it felt great to get props from my boys and from a lot of guys from the other teams for making a go of it. Our 50 man group had been demolished to about to about 12-15 guys with only Fred, Nelson, and Patrick from DBC. With a couple of KMs left, I latched on with the group and held on for the finish. As we turned the final corner, I could see the second guy from our break and he was hurting. He was the only guy I was able to pass as we crested to the finish. Nelson took fifth and Fred sixth to finish in the money and/or shirts.
Not sure what happened behind us other than carnage. Heard stories from Jason, Lee, and Will about falling off or getting gapped at certain points and just not being able to get back on. Couldn't blame anyone for finding themselves off the back today. It really only took a moment and suddenly you were screwed. The wind was truly brutal. The only lucky thing was as soon as our group finished, then it started to rain. It held off for us.
Sorry for the novel, but it truly was the best day I have ever had on a bike! Not sure where I finished, maybe 15-20th, but it didnt even matter to me. I have never HTFU'd like I did today. I got over one mental barrier to get back in the group on the first lap. I spent a lot of time at the front and still felt strong. Found myself in a break, that I started, that lasted longer than I ever thought possible. I got great advice from Fred, Lee, and Will about where to be, and still found myself in the wrong place in the wind at times, but sometimes it was to offer protection to teammates. I learned a lot today. And to think my day started with asking Will and Justin, "Just what is getting 'guttered'?" I really wasnt sure. And Papa Fred even gave me his top 6 t-shirt in lieu of a "Most Aggresive Rider" jersey.
Priceless.
On to Merco!!!!
derek byrne
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