Friday, October 17, 2008

Gloucester Verge Series Races #3 and #4

If you saw my 10/8 post, you know I have mixed feelings about racing in Gloucester MA for the traditional UCI CX weekend. I have never really been "in" the races down there. Usually illness or poor starts conspire against me.

For 2008, I thought the trend would continue with an early week "bug" hanging around till Thursday. I hit it hard with all the homeopathic remedies I know...and maybe they worked, or at least my brain thought they did!

Sat Elite Masters 1/2/3 Race: I got a front row call up, and nailed the whistle pretty good, to slot into third behind Johnny B. and Curtis B. Through the twisty's and into the run-up, I drop back a few more slots. The legs are good, but not great. I settle in a group with Roger A. and a few Corner Cycle guys (including Kevin H.). I am making a few mistakes in the corners, and having to close back up. Then Roger attacks, and the rubber band is snapped. I drop to a group with John M. and a few Westwood dudes. I basically sit on, and let them duke it out...with 1 lap to go I am hurting and they gap me a bit. Coleman Oconnor goes by...and I drop to 11th. I would finish solo there. Full recovery post race. Recoverite, dry clothes, compression tights, and calories. straight home for some family time and R&R.

Sun Elite Masters 1/2/3 Race: similar call up today. This time I NAIL the whistle, clip in like greased lightning (did I mention I love M970 Shimano Pedals?) and hole shot to the dirt. This was key, as they added a steep runup into the first 2 min of the course. I hit this in 3rd or 4th (Mark Mc. and Johnny B. lead). I surf this second group (Roger A, Mark S, Dan C) then let a gap go in the twisty's and get caught by the same group as Sat. I have good legs today, but the teams (corner cycle and westwood velo) are controlling so I just sit on the back. With a lap to go, I should have punched it up the road to lead into the runup as I am fastest of the group here, but I dont. Then, on the next barrier section, I kick the pedal while in the big:big combo, and the chain drops...DOH! With 2 min to race, I am trying to pedal the chain back on, it jumps up quick, but the gap is 20 bike lengths. I charge HARD down the backstretch near the ocean, and just as I catch on the 4 guys start drilling it...I am gassed. I cant respond and roll in for 10th.

All in all, I will take these results. I scored Verge points at both days, and maybe even moved up 1 spot. I am healthy, and the courses get better for me (Noho and Sterling).

I don't have any photos this week, but check http://www.cyclocrossphoto.com/ for a bunch of great shots of the event.

This weekend : hometown race at Pineland, then Canton!


Pic : post race euphoria:

1 comment:

Trigirlpink said...

Photo credit of 2 guys needing a cheeseburger go to

TGP