Posted by Dan on 4. April 2010 21:20
For the second time this season, I've been afforded the opportunity to race a Cat 4-only race. The joy I felt about racing the Smithfield HAMmer Fest Criterium knew no bounds as I'd be among only 4s - no uber-experienced 3s setting unsustainable paces and belittling us in the end with their superior sprinting skills and no inexperienced 5s gumming up the works. Great weather and what was sure to be a well organized race in a town that goes out of its way to support bicycle racing would make me forget all about the unfortunate incident in the final meters of last week's Jeff Cup and allow me to put my winter training to good use.
For Celerity Cycling p/b Fitness Together, we had Dan Ranschaert and Adam Leopold in the Cat 5 race, me, Mike, Frank and Justin in the 4s and Taryn in the Women's 4 race. Wick was somehow lured out of state by the call of the sea and the loose women that prey on sailing spectators.
Dan and Adam had an interesting race. They both did a great job staying near the front, sometimes too near. In the end, Adam was the first around turn 4, headed for the line when his pedal struck and he unclipped. He was able to pull off a one-legged drill to the line, still finishing top 10.
The 4 race was a bit more entertaining/terrifying. On "go", Jake King sprinted off the front taking a few confused riders with him. The gap that opened didn't last so we settled in for the long haul. The main field stayed together for the duration of the race with the exception of those shelled riders that were eventually lapped on the course's only climb. Unfortunately, they were taking up the entire width of the course as we came through and seemed to take offense when shouted at. Sorry, but... Two or three laps later, with one and a half to go, we once again hit the descent after turn 3 and speeds quickly picked up. A Tri-Power rider abruptly crossed the course from right to left, hitting the wheel of Chad Holm (also of Tri-Power), sending him reeling. Unable to recover, Chad went down right in front of me. Deja vu. This time, I was able to slow enough to just pass him on the right. The celebration going on in my brain for pulling off such a miraculous save was short lived as I was hit from behind by someone that either didn't try to stop or thought that I was committed to going over Chad and chose the line to the right for themselves. Either way, I ate it again. With me this time was Justin and Mike and maybe four others. My wounds were much worse than those sustained during last week's crash, but I was by no means the worst of this group. Justin got minor road rash and would have been alright were it not for the five riders behind him running him over. Mike was forced into the curb and went over his bars, fracturing his right wrist (again) and bending his big ring.
The refs stopped the race while we got bikes and various accessories off the course. While incident reports were filled out, those still standing lined-up for a restart of the final two laps. Justin's chainstay had broke so he grabbed Adam's bike and dragged his bloodied self to the line with Mike and Frank. After a break just long enough for everyone's legs to stiffen up, they were off. Two more crashes (one in turn 1 and another in turn 4) and the field finished. Frank got 8th and Justin 10th. Mike hung off the back, having ridden in his little ring. Good times in the Ham Capital of the World.
Taryn's race would be the last one for Celerity Cycling p/b Fitness Together. Though I haven't seen the results yet, I know she rode a strong race and did a lot of pace-setting. The main field that rolled across the line was more than 50% of what it started as and Taryn did a lot of the work whittling it down.
Having been crashed out of two races in as many weeks because someone two riders up from me decided to make dramatic, pointless moves without looking, I'm of the firm belief that every racer should attend some sort of bike handling clinic. We're all guilty of the occasional mistake, but this is getting stupid and expensive. Celerity Cycling p/b Fitness Together is going to start a weekly clinic to work on various skills. These training rides will be mandatory for team members, but we'd welcome anyone wanting to participate. To those of you not doing clinics, I urge you to consider it. To those of you that are, I'd appreciate any agendas, curriculae, tips and tricks and whatever else you have. Improved racing skills benefit us all. Maybe this is just a Cat 4 thing, in which case I should go to Ohio and get some upgrade points. Or stick to time trials, like this Saturday's Conquer the Canal Time Trial.
Thanks to Joshua Goyet, the VB Wheelmen and their families/volunteers for putting on yet another stellar race. Despite all the complaining I plan on doing about the Cat 4 race, we really appreciate the effort you put into your events.
Oh, and Bravo Zulu to former teammate Kyle Knott of Atlantic Velo for taking 1st in the GamJams Cat 3 Cup, p/b Mountain Khakis! Enjoy the pants!