8/18/03 by Ted Ingraham
I was considering writing-up my races this weekend but Shawn beat me to it. Still, I can't resist a few comments, although since I didn't finish the Mile Race on Sunday, I don't have much excitement to add.
We can't over-emphasize the heat and 100% humidity on Saturday. It was a killer and it seemed to affect my brain even more than my body! I have a feeling Kurt must have gone into brain lock too – how else do you miss the last turn on the 4th lap of a race – and we did that turn in a practice lap too! Shawn drank FIVE bottles during his race and was asking for more water as soon as he finished! It was even hotter when you stopped and didn't have the wind cooling you.
It was a great road circuit of about 8 miles with one small climb and a long false flat. The roads were very good but there was that tricky last turn! Kurt got away with four others halfway through the first lap and the field was content to let them go since it was so early and most of us thought we had plenty of time to chase them down, plus there were members of all the stronger teams in the break so no one was anxious to chase their teammate. The gap grew and soon the break was out of sight. I have to admit, I tried to get a chase going but Stark had so many guys blocking that we just couldn't get organized enough to work around them. I was hoping to get the break in view and then get Josh & I away to bridge up alone. Apparently, the break group really hammered and Kurt lost contact in the last mile – just far enough away to miss the turn! I got gapped on that last turn and was fortunate to chase down one of the two Stark guys who had made the perfect jump just before the turn. Josh came in just a few riders behind me. As Shawn said, he raced a strong race in a brutal, but small Cat 1/2/3 field that was shattered early. Unfortunately for the sponsoring club (Stark Velo), it was a small turnout for the day, a shame since it was a great event and well run.
Sunday was quite different as far as weather and turnout. Perfect racing conditions and three large fields on another great ten mile circuit and a well-run event. Jim Gilmore was there for the 2/3 race, I did Masters, and Josh raced Cat 4/5. I was surprised how good my legs felt since I had totally bonked Saturday afternoon about three hours after the race. However, my brain was still fuzzy – I almost felt like I was half asleep! It was probably fortunate that I dropped my chain on the second lap at the bottom of the climb and was not able to latch back on. I may have become dangerous if I had stayed in. Josh was the only Freewheeler to finish his race and he had a respectable finish near the front of the main pack.
All-in-all, it was still a great weekend of road racing through some beautiful country. It was a disappointment to see only five Freewheelers the entire weekend. All I can say is you all missed two great opportunities to race locally on some excellent courses. The season will soon be over, hope to see more of you in the coming weeks!