Posted by Dan on 24. August 2010 06:33
Much to Wick's dismay, Frank and I took a pass on the Tour de Millersburg in scenic Pennsylvania and opted instead to support local race promoters at the Chesapeake Crit on Saturday and the Peter Teeuwen Memorial Omnium Time Trial #3 and Age-Graded State Championship (#1).
The Chesapeake Crit is a well attended three corner crit around City Hall in the Chesapeake Municipal Center. I've missed the last two editions, but remember this being a pretty fast course with a dangerous corner leading to the home stretch. As I recall, someone always overcooks the turn and goes over the curb and into the trees. While there were two crashes, none were in that corner so it's got that going for it, which is nice.
I started things off with the Masters 30+/40+ race. We did a good job keeping things together and managing the pace. Having another race less than 30 minutes after this one finished, I wanted to conserve a bit so I kept the heroic break attempts to a minimum. I did manage to get off the front alone once and did a lap or two solo, waiting for someone, anyone, to come up and share the work, but I was stood up. Later, I went with Jeff Craddock of Greenbrier Pawn. Our effort was short lived and we returned to the field. Sometime later with a few laps to go, there was a crash leading into the third corner when someone on the left entangled bars with a rider to his right, causing a domino effect spanning the width of the road. Poor Ed McNellis of Team Nature's Path/3 Sports was on my wheel and became the last domino to go down. Fortunately he made it up and into the next race. Several others did not and we wish them a speedy recovery. I know my position was no where near ideal going into the last corner, but I figured I'd sprint it out and gain some spots in the final stretch. I finished 13th and tired.
Me, all fat, dumb and happy to be off the front. I do this solely for the photo ops.
After a couple kids' races and a Celebrity Race, the Pro/1/2/3 field lined up. This would be my first race with such talent and I was absolutely clueless as to what to expect. From watching these guys in the past, I anticipated there being numerous attempts at a break with the fourth or fifth succeeding. Given the large team turnout, there'd be a good effort by anyone not included in that break to chase them down. Their efforts would keep the field low and thin so all I had to do was pick a wheel and hold on for dear life.
What really happened was a break of four went up the road following a small crash after turn 3. With riders from Atlantic Velo, Mountain Khakis, Battley Harley Davidson and Richmond Pro Cycling in the break, there weren't a lot of volunteers to crank it up and chase them down. Rather than a nice strung out pencil-thin line, the main field would bunch and stretch, bunch and stretch, eying each other with suspicion and waiting for someone else to pull through with dreams of shutting down the break. I found plenty of opportunities to move up but found little reason to do so. I saw quite a few riders disappear into the void behind me and was hoping thirty or so more would follow them while I saved what few matches I had left.
With less than ten laps to go, Adam told me to "Get up there and help Andy!" Andy DeMarchena of Fat Frogs had tried to bridge up solo and was floating around in no-man's land. Happy to oblige a command from the team's photographer, I launched my effort with a dramatic jump that shocked even me. I heard Ruth Stornetta announce my actions to the crowd as I went streaking by the officials' tent. Around turn 1 and Andy was within reach. He looked back and slowed up. Turning my head, I saw why. The field had grabbed my wheel as I went by as with what seemed like minimal effort. So much for my reindeer games. As punishment for shutting Andy down, I relegated myself to the back of the field.
Bell lap, we rounded the corner and got ready to sprint. When I stood up, my old friends the hamstring cramps showed up and waved hello. I'm getting very good at hiding the agony of bilateral leg cramps. I relaxed and rolled across the line in 42nd place alongside the COOL people.
While I cleaned up and changed, Frank got ready to do battle in the Cat 4 race. Shortly after Jerry Hadley of Tripower and Bryan Hoy of JRVS took off. They opened a very nice gap and it was clear that without a good organized effort from the group, they'd make it stick. Our boy Frank led the charge by moving to the front, unzipping his jersey (see below) and dropping the hammer. Unfortunately for Frank, the two guys up the road were doing an incredible job working together. I've worked with Jerry in a race last year (albeit on the wrong side of the peloton) and knew Frank would need help. Unfortunately, aside from Fat Frogs' Tim Pope, there weren't many riders willing to jump on the front and work like a dog.
Frank earning his paycheck.
This story had a sad ending. Jerry and his break-mate survived. The main field broke into a sprint but Frank had nothing left in the tank after working so hard to reel the leaders in. Frank made a pro move and sat up, coasting across the line. He looked so cool doing so that the officials scored him as a DNF, but I'll attest to his finishing on the lead lap. It was almost as though he had a pair of hamstring cramps preventing him from getting out of the saddle.
Adam contemplating his next shot.
Finally, we are sad to say goodbye to teammate and photographer Adam Leopold. Adam just completed a cross-country trip with brother Justin - another displaced teammate - which is when he became smitten with Vail, Colorado. He applied for and was given a job with the Fire & Rescue department so there you go. Adam's spending his days riding up and down mountain roads and his "off time" waiting for fire alarms to go off. Maybe he'll open a bike shop and give riding lessons to the rich and famous. Adam & Justin - we wish you both the best of luck and you'll both be missed. Oh, and Frank DID cry so you both owe me $5.
Next up: Peter Teeuwen Memorial Omnium Time Trial and Age-Graded State Championship.