Tour de Dung Road Race Series #2 - Race Report

3/17/2012 9:50am
Cat 4 Men, 48 miles, 4 laps of wide open farmland roads
Avg Speed 24.6 mph
Max Speed 38.9 mph
7th place of 58

This race was much more exciting than the week prior at Sequim #1 because of its sheer speed and aggression from the other racers. Personally I prefer a fast pace and aggressive type of race, to me it's just safer. If you don't have the legs, you won't be in my (our) way, and it forces everyone to work together instead of mindlessly riding 3 abreast in the wind.

Much to my surprise, the attacks started immediately following neutral roll-out, and like the week before they were immediately covered and countered. Finally some consistency with the amateur racers that parallels the way professionals ride (sort of). My plan for today was to sit in, not attack, not do any work and wait it out for the field sprint. Boring but it works for everyone else, why not?

Less than halfway into the 2nd lap I look around and notice HALF THE FIELD HAS BEEN DROPPED! What the fuck? Naturally the attacks keep on coming, as does the surging. Garrett Charlson (Audi), whom is in great form for the start of the season I might add, decides to attack right after someone is reeled in and solos into the distance. I believe everyone was thinking what I was thinking, "What a wasted effort, he's not going to solo away from all of us..." Well, this may have been true but he put such an impressive gap on the final stretch that a grip of us got antsy and decided to chase. This chase lasted atleast 3 miles and avg'd about 29mph. It hurt. I was gapped by 3 different small chase groups and wasn't about to be left behind. I put my head down and TT'd my way up the road, unknowingly dragging 6 or 7 others with me. I caught the first group ahead of me and was closing on the second at the start of the third lap. I started to get really nervous when I saw Garrett had been joined by PJ (Hagens Berman) and Francis (SCAA/ Starbucks) both whom have built in motors in their legs. The final group ahead of me was falling apart so as I approached I let out one final effort to try and drop as many guys behind me as I could. It worked out pretty well and next thing I knew we had a 10-man breakaway. I reminded our group there was absolutely no reason we couldn't ride away from the field with this much horsepower - we put our heads down and rotated beautifully, each of us taking short pulls... well, all of us but one, some guy on Bikesale.com was just sitting in.

Final Lap
This is my favorite part of any breakaway - where friends become enemies. We collectively decided to pick the pace up on the rollers to drop said Bikesale.com rider and anyone else who couldn't hang. I thought for sure these efforts would cut our group in half, but alas, only our lazy bumblebee friend. Coming into the final kilometers Garrett does something I would have done and attacks the group. I bridge up and REALLY REALLY contemplated counter attacking but sat in instead. Bad call on my part. There was enough of a gap and we were closing in on the finish line quick enough that this could have been a 1-2 victory. Sitting in allowed eveyone to catch up and resume resting for the finish line. As 200m approached, I found myself sitting 2nd wheel ready to jump. In fact just before I dropped some gears for my sprint Todd (Cycle U) and PJ (Hagens Berman) take off from behind me - FUCK. I underestimated my cadence and failed to close the gap they set.  Granted I was tired, caught off guard, and sprinting isn't my strength (yet). I laid out every ounce of energy I had left and snagged a 7th place! Woohoo, 1 placing better than last week.

I was very impressed with our effort and definitely learned a few more lessons for the road ahead.

Photo credit: ReedKJ I'd like to give her a shout out for being such a trooper and strong supporter of NW bicycle racing. She's out there in the pissing rain or shine, making all of us look so cool and fast. If you see a picture(s) you like, give back and make a purchase, I know I will.