Met Bill at his place around 8:15am. Loaded up then we boogied on over to Gaz’s crib. Rained steady all the way over to Dublin. The three of us hit the road around 8:45am or so and had an uneventful ride out to the course. It was still lightly raining when we arrived but stopped while we were getting kitted up. Started to warm up on Olsen Road but made a quick u-turn back to the truck to get some more clothing (good choice). Stopped by Gonzo’s car to tell him 15 minutes to race time. He misunderstood me and thought I meant 12:15. Race time was 12:10. Temps were in the upper 50’s and the winds seemed calm around the parking area.
Only 40 or so of us rolled out on time. Unfortunately, Gonzalo wasn’t among us. I spent the first few miles moving around the bunch looking for him. Pace was moderate as we headed west on Keyes Rd. Wind was out of the SE so we had a bit of a tailwind at first. After the left onto Bledsoe we got our first taste of the wind. A nice stiff crosswind from our left side. Nothing at all like the calm conditions at the start. A few attacks would go but nobody ever got away. It did create a bit of a schizophrenic pace that really sapped the legs. The crosswind/headwind sections of the course kept everyone honest. Spent some time on the front in the first lap and even considered trying to get in a break but it seemed obvious that no one was interested in battling the wind on their own. The turn onto Cox Ferry brought a brief respite from the wind and so the pace picked up. I moved up towards the front of the group in anticipation of the long rollers on Cox Ferry. First time up the went smooth and even gained position going up. After turning left back onto Keyes we had our only real tailwind of the course so this seemed to be pretty quick. I didn’t notice our speed but I didn’t feel taxed by the pace. Lap two was a repeat of the first. Though on the headwind section we slowed to what seemed like a crawl. On the long straight section of Turlock Road I started to feel some twinges in the legs. Always a bad omen for me but I was feeling good and having fun so I just ignored it. Left onto Cox Ferry for the last time and the pace ratchets up. I moved up towards the front already thinking about the finish. Hit the first roller in the top 15 or so. That’s when the quads cramped up nice and tight. Went out the back right quick and ended the race solo.
After having some asthma problems and not being able to breathe at Snelling, I really enjoyed my self at Merco. Well till I cramped, that always sucks. Look forward to doing this race next year.
Mike