Bake Shop

I survived my first roadie race of my career. Definately learned a few lessons about what to do and what not to do. Finally made it down to the park right before registration closed. As I'm walking in to the shelter house the official hollers out "Registration is Closed!!!!" Wow, that's just a lovely sign for me. I asked him to extend it 10 secs so I could get in. He grumbled a little but relented and let me in. After that it was time to get ready. My parents arrived about 10 mins before I was scheduled to do my time trial to watch Kiersten.

Pretty non eventful time trial. Starter said go and I pedaled. Only got passed by two people who started behind me. We were starting on 30 sec intervals so I was happy to only have 2 catch me. Next was the criterium race which would be an all around first for me.

We got lined up and got ready to go. I made my first mistake of the night by not getting in with the right pack. I was quickly dropped from the main group with one I knew would be too slow. I spent the next 1/2 lap trying to sprint back up to the main group. I got back up to them shortly before we ended the lap. For the next 25 mins I managed to stay with the pack. Riding in a pack was different, the pace would quicken and slow periodically. I gotta give a big thanks to Taylor Webb for hanging with me for a while helping me figure out the quircks of pack racing. It was about now I was feeling cocky and wondering what the sprint finish would be like.

Shortly after feeling cocky things suddenly changed. My legs cried "check please" and I was done. The pack made another breakaway and I was done. I looked down for a sec to catch my breath and when I looked up again they were gone. Not good!! I never saw the main group and only managed to catch one guy. Kept me from getting last place at least.

All in all I was happy with how I did. After a hard effort last night on the Taco ride I didn't know what I'd have in my legs. I figured I'd be alright for a while but not be able to maintain the pace I'd want to. Now it's time to recover and prepare for the race up in Webster City on Sunday....when I'll be back on dirt!

Hammering at the start.



Still hanging with the pack here.



Ah snap...not where I want to be.



Thanks to Pete and Chad for hollering out some encouragement to us B racers as we hammered. I wanted to stay and see how their race played out (Pete was looking strong before I left) but Kiersten was getting grumpy and it was bedtime for her.