Posted by Dan on 16. August 2011 18:13
My 2011 road season (as if I had any other seasons) is nearly over. There were only a few more races on the calendar including a rather big one in Belgium next month. To cap off the Virginia races, Celerity Cycling headed nowhere because the Chesapeake Crit and PLT Numero Dos were mere minutes from Norfolk.
Saturday's crit was the Virginia age-graded championships. As I'm usually careful so as not to trigger a torrent of Frank's age jokes, I opted to chase the big money and join Frank in the 1/2/3 race. Anthony, Jerry, Steve and Anthony were contesting the 4/5 field. Kirk came to spectate as he wasn't able to register before that race filled to capacity. Jerry used the Masters 40+ race to warm up his legs for the afternoon race.
Jerry's Masters race was first. He hung with the pack for a while until he was sufficiently warmed-up, then pulled himself so as not to overdo it. Wise move as that race was 50 minutes of fast and furious championship action that showed no signs of letting up.
1/2/3 Line-up. Photo by BJ Samuel.
Frank having a moment before the start. Photo by BJ Samuel.
The 1/2/3 group took to the course following two insane kids' races. 35 riders lined up for 80 minutes of fun in the sun. A few early attacks kept the pace high but it was Tyler Karnes off the front in a solo move that provided the seed for what would be the successful break. The field would splinter into a bazillion chase groups as riders would bridge up to the leaders and later get dropped.
Frank. Photo by BJ Samuel.
I found myself in the remnants of the peloton with Frank, trying to latch back on the second chase group. Frank positioned himself on the front and put out a monster effort to get me close so I could bridge up to the group ahead. I made it but Frank didn't. Shortly after his heroic effort, he was shelled and pulled out. Apparently he and Death had a little chat but Frank staged a strong comeback and Death left empty handed. He'd (Frank, not Death) spend the rest of the race shouting useful things at me.
7-Eleven. Photo by BJ Samuel.
After latching on to the second chase, I moved on to the next group. This group was home to Jared Neiters (XO Communications/Battley Harley-Davidson), Keith Johnson (Atlantic Velo), Dirk Pohlman (Texas Roadhouse p/b Motorex) and Walker Owen (Happy Tooth/Bandwidth.com). We represented 7th-11th place. I knew Jared had at least one guy up the road so I wasn't shocked when he passed on pulls. What I failed to comprehend was that Dirk and I were the only ones that DIDN'T have guys up the road. Dirk knew the score and rode accordingly. I, on the other hand, rode a bit more "chasey" than I should have. When Walker kicked, I went with him. We had a small gap I tried to nurture but we were quickly caught. As I pulled off the front, they kicked again and that was it for me. Off the back I went. I soloed for a while until Paul Ward, Mason Haymes and Lane Napolitano came sailing by. I hopped on their train and rode out the remaining 6 laps as a passenger. On the back side, Paul would take off for the win. I secured my 11th place spot without being caught by the field.
Jerry, Steve and Anthony raced next. The 50 rider 4/5 race was lit up by a fierce showing from Fat Frogs Racing and Nick Tempest (Tripower). Jerry and Anthony would eventually succumb to the constant need to sprint from the corners while Steve rode an active race but would come to settle in with the pack for 20th place.
One more to go. Peter L. Teeuwen Memorial 23 mile Time Trial was next.