Sunday, June 18, 2006
Do They Get Free Jam?
Today was Fiordifrutta day at Housy Hills, 35+ although I think Roger still won? I didn't hang around to see the results. Our plan was to cover early moves, stay near the front on the first hills, and try to get as many guys as we could in the selection that always happens. Matt covered someone who went on 172 and they stayed 10-30 sec. ahead until the first climb. The first climb felt "fairly" easy to me but on the KOM hill I was at my limit. At one point, I didn't think any of us was up the road ahead of me! Just after the feed, the split had clearly formed, and Ed was just ahead of me. But then Yabroudy attacked and another gap opened up. I tried to close it with Ed on my wheel but couldn't quite do it. Luckily the Boston Scientific and Bicycle Link duos hit the front; these 4 guys did a great job all race trying their best to drive the pace. Tobi and Dale were the Bike Link guys; didn't know the other faces. I joined in with them a little, figuring Roger, Funk and Gump (who had moved clear at some point) might be able to be brought back. But as we hit the final turn on 172, the gap was given at over 2 minutes, and the race for 4th was on. We still probably had a group of 40, but the pace slowed to a crawl along the river and I half suspected we'd be caught from behind.
The second time up the first climb was once again tolerable but the same thing repeated itself on the KOM. I was on Andy Ruiz's wheel, figuring if I could hold that I'd be safe and he BLEW UP with a glance and a "sorry" and I almost couldn't get around him and back on. Yabroudy, Rozsko, and the usual suspects all launched attacks but Curt Davis single-handedly chased pretty much everything down. Fiordi had 5 guys in the group and nothing was going anywhere. Badger alone launched about 4 attacks in the last 10 miles but...nothing stuck. We hit the bottom of the hill in a group of about 25. I put my brain into a zone, trying not to pay attention to others and clung to the back of the field. The really steep part got me, surprisingly. I just could not hang on. I attacked from about 1k to go, but Badger and a group of 3 went around me and I rode across the line alone. Don't know my placing; I'm guessing top-25 but it could be higher or lower. It's always hard to tell on that finish.
All I can say is had I only taken 2 bottles, I would be dead right now. I took 3 and was still bone dry the last 5 miles, save one swig of watery Powerade I was saving for the bottom of the climb. I felt good today and am happy with my form for FSR. I just need to get it in my head I can suck it up that one last time to stay with the leaders.
The second time up the first climb was once again tolerable but the same thing repeated itself on the KOM. I was on Andy Ruiz's wheel, figuring if I could hold that I'd be safe and he BLEW UP with a glance and a "sorry" and I almost couldn't get around him and back on. Yabroudy, Rozsko, and the usual suspects all launched attacks but Curt Davis single-handedly chased pretty much everything down. Fiordi had 5 guys in the group and nothing was going anywhere. Badger alone launched about 4 attacks in the last 10 miles but...nothing stuck. We hit the bottom of the hill in a group of about 25. I put my brain into a zone, trying not to pay attention to others and clung to the back of the field. The really steep part got me, surprisingly. I just could not hang on. I attacked from about 1k to go, but Badger and a group of 3 went around me and I rode across the line alone. Don't know my placing; I'm guessing top-25 but it could be higher or lower. It's always hard to tell on that finish.
All I can say is had I only taken 2 bottles, I would be dead right now. I took 3 and was still bone dry the last 5 miles, save one swig of watery Powerade I was saving for the bottom of the climb. I felt good today and am happy with my form for FSR. I just need to get it in my head I can suck it up that one last time to stay with the leaders.
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Ed I'm sure you're good for FSR. The little break when you were sick probably will benefit you 2 weeks from now.
A couple other random things...on lap 1, just after we turned onto 172 headed towards the S/F, a big ol' deer ran across the road in front of us. Where's Ted when we need him?
Just as we came up to the little store on 172 in South Britain at the start of lap 2, some clown in a truck intentionally turned left in front of us into the store parking lot. It was scary.
Sean Groom dropped his chain on the KOM hill on lap 1 and had to get off to put it back on. I thought "Poor Sean. He's a goner." Well he came FLYING up to us and by us 5 minutes later.
As Ed noted, Curt drilled it at the bottom of the hill, then promptly pulled over at the first parking lot and quit. Now that's what I call a good teammate. Or a crazy man.
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A couple other random things...on lap 1, just after we turned onto 172 headed towards the S/F, a big ol' deer ran across the road in front of us. Where's Ted when we need him?
Just as we came up to the little store on 172 in South Britain at the start of lap 2, some clown in a truck intentionally turned left in front of us into the store parking lot. It was scary.
Sean Groom dropped his chain on the KOM hill on lap 1 and had to get off to put it back on. I thought "Poor Sean. He's a goner." Well he came FLYING up to us and by us 5 minutes later.
As Ed noted, Curt drilled it at the bottom of the hill, then promptly pulled over at the first parking lot and quit. Now that's what I call a good teammate. Or a crazy man.
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