I had two races planned: the 3/4s and 40+, back-to-back. Noah and I lined up for the 3/4s with a light turnout. The McD’s team had several guys and our plan was to attack until one of us got up the road in the hopes of drawing one of them out and then riding away in a small group. McD’s had other (better) plans however. They let us wear ourselves out a bit and then had a guy roll off the front while we were recovering. At this point there are 8-10 guys left, with McD’s having 4 and only 3-4 of the rest of us actually helping chase. We’d chase a bit with the help of a few others and get close and then McD’s would attack again and roll another guy across for 2 up the road and then they’d open their gap up again. We chased again, got close, and a third teammate jumped across. Fortunately the race was near the end, I was feeling good and told Noah to keep it together to give me a shot at 4th. Last lap, Noah strings it out, I jump halfway down the back stretch and hold on for 4th, Noah held on for 8th. Bad strategy on my part, excellent strategy on their part. Congrats to the Micky D’s guys.

I joined Jeff, Tony, and Ryan (who showed up 15 min before the race this time!) in the 40+ race that was pretty fast from the gun and the legs weren’t responding that well early on. I would have rather sat on and waited for the sprint (who wouldn’t?) but Jeff and Tony needed me to chase a few things and I missed the big move when it happened. Jeff missed it too but dug deep to get back to it. Not sure what happened up there but Jeff finished third and Tony 6th, I think.

Excellent venue, surprisingly large number of spectators, and great prize money. Put this one on your calendars for 2012.

For some reason, after having the Master’s-age categories as 40+ and 50+ for the past several years, this year we’ve had some 35+ races. This is only an issue if you move to a 40+ team and send your 35+ guys to another team. Secondly, the competition at 35+ is much steeper, as one can see by looking at the results. When one team brings arguably 6 of the top 6 strongest guys (and 6 of the top 8 finishers) in the field…

Otherwise, the event was great, the course was smooth and the racing fast. Probably the fastest race I’ve done in a few years.

Side note, several weeks back I sent a message to one of our local guys Joel and listed this race on the weekend of the 22nd. He understood me to mean the race was ON the 22nd. He’d said earlier in the week that he was looking forward to the race and would definitely be there. I called him as I was pulling into the venue and when he picked up I could hear a baseball game in the background.

Ruh-roh. Sorry Joel.

Jeff, Tony, and Noah jumped in the 1,2,3 field which was reportedly controlled by one young man, Garmin-Chipotle’s (?) Rob Bush. Next up: Huntington, WV.

Buried in the peloton.

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