I’ve carpool with Ken and Bob-Livermore Cycling, We got there at around 7AM , got my bike ready, picked up my number and got dressed …..started my warm up at 8AM with Roy , got a decent warm-up.
The race started on time, at 8:20AM , there were about 50-60 riders out of 75 that registered.
The race seems very calm at the start, no early breaks at all.
After a couple of laps, there were a few attempts of a break, the speed picked up, I got down to the drop to try to hang on. However, no break materialized, we were back in the pack again. I moved up and down the pack just to get comfortable. I’ve tried to stayed mainly in the front half because I didn’t want to be left behind if there were a split.
Roy and Ken seem very comfortable in the race, they were up in the front half most of the time. I was just trying to hide from the wind and stayed with the group when the speed does pick up, especially on the turns.
After the 3rd lap, there were a couple of attempts for the breakaway, there were about 3-4 riders out front of the group, they got pulled back. Then a single rider was out front, another rider joined him, they both were brought back.
In the middle of the 4th lap, a genius rider cut in front of me, rubbed my front wheel, I almost went down, hollered at him. I think he got a flat down the road…..LOL
My legs felt good, however, it was starting to feel the tempo.
Going into the last lap, my legs were getting tired but felt good, I was thinking to myself, I have a chance to work for a good finish here. Making a 2nd turn into the head wind on the final lap, we all got to the drop since the speed was picking up. All of a sudden, I hear “Hey” in the back of me, and then CRASH…..a few riders went down.
A rider came up to me and I asked him what happened back there. He said a rider to his left didn’t see him, just went right and bump shoulder with him and went down.
By now, the head wind was strong and my legs were starting to feel it…….my heart rate were reasonable, so, I still have a chance to hang on…..then, my legs gave out, I was not very happy……I sat up before the 3rd turn……..I was done for the day..
Since I haven’t raced since the EB, I wasn’t in shape like I thought I was, wishful thinking.
after being dropped, I was passed by a big group of fast riders, didn’t get a chance to catch their numbers, and some other fast stragglers.
Then the group of about 15 Cat 5(?) riders, I got on their wheels so, I didn’t have to be out there in the wind by myself and just draft in the back.
After the last turn to the straight away, I saw Ken riding by himself on the side.
I came up to him and we rode across the finish line, ken cross the line before I did.
I felt good in this race even though I didn’t finish strong and with the pack, this race will get me going for the up and coming races and Crits for the rest of the year, I hope.
Will have to start training harder for the rest of the racing season too.