"Some of you may recognize rider number 250 from the Discovery Channel".
This is what was announced by Joe Jefferson as the race began. This was my first criterium race with a race announcer. Having a race announcer is a nice touch.
This race took place on a nice 1k closed circuit on an old abandonned army base. The course had 3 tight 90 degree turns, a nice long chicane, and a slight uphill section. The uphill was nothing severe, but just enought to slow the group a bit. I raced in the Cat 5 field. Due to a scheduling error, they actually had 2 Cat 5 races, so those who were eager to Cat up, could do back to back races. I am not in a place fitness wise to pull a double, but quite a few actually did.
I was able to get in a nice warm up on the course. I hit the turns at race pace to find the right lines to take. This proved to be crucial during the race. When I got to the start, I positioned myself in line behind a tall NVCC rider. I figured I would follow his wheel and catch a nice draft.
As the race started, I had trouble clipping in. Once I was clipped in, I found the tall NVCC guy and stuck to his wheel. I was so focused on hanging onto this guys wheel, that 3 laps in, I noticed we had been gapped by the field. Not good. I was now in a small group of four riders shelled off the back. Chase time again!
We settled into chase mode. Well at least I thought so. In this small group were 2 guys from the same team, me, and another lone rider. I pulled for a lap, then the tall guy went to the front and pulled for 2 laps. As I saw our gap to the group get bigger, I began thinking we would maybe get lapped. The front group pace had really picked up.
I decided to ramp up the pace on my next pull. I got out of the saddle and put in a hard effort up the slight incline into the tight turns. When I caught my breath and turned around, the group was gone. I actually dropped them, and I was stuck out in no mans land with the lead group closing in on me.
I held them off for a lap before being caught with 2 laps to go. I ended up finishing 31.
The data from my Garmin was as follows:
Average Heart Rate: 172
Max Heart Rate: 181
Average Speed: 23.1 mph
Max Speed: 34.1 mph
Overall, I was happy with my improvements. The fitness is coming along, and I am learning how to race.
Next race is in Baltimore this weekend. Bike Jam Kelly Cup.
I am spending most of my time now on my TT bike building fitness for my first major sesaon goal at the Philly Time Trials. I have really been going well on the TT bike and a top 5 is definately a possibility.
I love bike racing.
