Posted by Dan on 27. February 2011 20:42
This weekend's early season lesson in humility was brought to us by Mullins Benefit Services, Team Whole Foods/Virtual World Race and Carytown Bicycle Company. The second SnowCone Classic training crit was held in Richmond at the site of the 2009 state championship crit, a course I remembered fondly for its mild rolling terrain, technical layout and raised gutter that has put quite a few unfortunate riders into the grass (not me though). Despite my best efforts to get into the Under 10 race, I was given a number for the A race as was Frank. Kirk and Andrew would be doing their thing in the B race.
Andrew prepping for his first race of the season.
Weather was a balmy 52* with mild winds blowing perpendicular to the course. So mild that I and 30 of my closest friends decided to bust out the carbon wheels for the first time this year. Of course that meant brake adjustments to accomodate those fat, carbon rims, but it'd be worth it to look so pro in front of the new teammates.
Andrew and Kirk showing the 4/5s how you do it.
Kirk and Andrew had a wicked fun time during their 50 minutes on the course, staying clear of the killer lip and maintaining a good position. There were a few times it looked like the two of them might get away together, but it was not to be. In fact, nothing got away unless you count getting dropped. With six to go, Andrew clipped a pedal in the 180 and went down. Both he and the bike were fine, and no other riders were involved. He made it to start/finish and jumped back in, albeit a lap down. There was no free lap to be had in this race. Crashing or flatting meant you were allowed to finish, but you had to hang out in the back and could not work. Kirk hung in for a top 5 finish (we pretty sure, anyway).
The A race was pretty quick with a reported average speed around 26 mph. Objective was to hang on for Phase I until everyone's excitement died down a little, and then move to the front. Still not sure who's who in that mess, I figured I'd just go with anyone and hope for the best. Something was bound to stick and you gotta play to win. After half an hour, Frank and I were both mid-pack, biding our time. A few attempts went up the road, keeping the pace pretty high while they were brought back, but my time would come. I just needed to move up a little more. Going into the 180, I found my opportunity. Keith Johnson of Atlantic Velo found the same one and came by on my right, so I hopped on and got ready to work. We barely made it through the turn before they were on my wheel. Oh well. I'll grab the next one.
Hydration is key to a race of this duration.
At 38 minutes into my race, I felt my front wheel develop a sluggishness of sorts. "That's odd," I thought. "I know I pumped these guys up. Must be the brakes rubbing. Maybe they're still too tight?" Two corners later, the front tire was flat. It happened near the parking lot so I hobbled back to the car, swapped out wheels, re-adjusted my brakes and answered nature's call before they group made it around the third time. They were about a block away when I sprinted like a fiend trying to catch on. No good. I pulled out at the start/finish line and waited for them to come around again. The rest of the race was spent on the absolute back, sprinting out of turns and wanting nothing more than to get on the front and chase. If I couldn't chase (which I couldn't), I at least wanted to ride hard for an one and a half hours, then sprint like mad at the end. No dice. It's not pro to sprint for 30th place so everyone sat up. With so many obstacles, I had to soft pedal in. Frank did well in that he stayed embedded in the top half and didn't die.
Fun stuff. Thanks to Tim Mullins et. al. for bringing us this early season opportunity and resurecting a great course. Can't wait for #3.
Pictures are here. You know you want to see them.