Here is the low down of the Masters 123. It was a calm warm evening and the mood was somber and a bit edgy as the riders queued up for the start. I heard some chatter but not much. Our team (Specialized River City) had about 5 people. The first few laps seem so long ago a foggy video in my mind that skips and pauses. I was in a break early on with three other guys that lasted a good 4, maybe 5 laps. One of the three was the alpha rider. Each time he’d get in front the speed would jump to 30, with me I was able to maintain about 27, another was about the same and the last was slow. The pack would gain, then speedy would do a pull and the pack would drift away. The slowest of us dropped off and it was three for another couple of laps. I complemented speedy on his stellar pulls which garnered a reply of “Well, if we want to stay away that’s what it’s going to take”. A true statement, who was I kidding we had a lot of laps to go. But I guess the point was to set up an attack for my team mates.
Which is how it happened. Sometime after we got sucked back there were some attacks here and there, which I’d chase down (can you tell I felt good). Then a sizable group got off which had one of our better teammates (Karsten of course). Gary and I ended up in the front and nobody seemed to want to pull so we hung out there for quite a while going just fast enough not to cause alarm, but enough to let the group get along down the road. And away they got. This was the packs big mistake.
A chase formed and for about 3 laps I wedged myself at about second or third. When the rider in front of me seemed to fade and begin his motion off for me to pull I stuck to his wheel. At some point people behind would realize, pass and I’d move back into third or second. This little game went on for about 4 laps. One guy seemed to give me a “look”, it was mild so I couldn’t tell what his statement was. Which brings up a good question, what is the protocol for me working for my teammate who is in the break? My theory is that if I’m in front it’s up to the pack to decide if I’m pulling hard enough or not. If I was to completely sit up I could see people getting a bit peeved, so I try and go a comfortable pace that gives the perception that I’m pulling but doesn’t go so far as to chase. I’d be interested in what people think…
On to the finish. Somewhere around 8 to go a nasty wind picked up. The race went from fun hard to ouch hard. With 2 to go I was in the back. I worked my way to front and settled in at around 5th. One lap to go – On the back side of the track I chased two others down and ended up with a gap from the field. But they sat up and seemed to give up. I figured, what the hell, so I buried my head, dug deep down and hammered. I was in pain, spitting and grunting, the field was gaining but I was alone in the last stretch. Holy Crap! I might just pull this off!! GRUNT! PANT! Ignore the pain!….
01….The sign said 01! A guy was ringing a bell…a BELL!? The pack passed me, some seemed as bewildered as I, but most seemed to be smirking, knowing that even though I was correct in my lap count they must have given us an extra lap…something about maybe preventing us from sprinting into the just finished breakaway. I over heard someone say “It’s not the final lap until you hear the bell”. So true, so true.
Needless to say I was jello. I did try…honest, I worked my way back up and chased some wheels seeking a good spot heading into the sprint. Into the long stretch with the sun low on the horizon, little cotton balls dancing around the racers head, I watched as one rider after another passed me. I was in slow motion even sound had slowed. I passed the finish and rode in silence. That was a hard race.
I felt good though, I worked hard, and felt strong…even if the results are lacking.