It's a bit unusual for a seasoned Euro-pro to take on an unsanctioned race, but the annual Austin Spring Classic benefits a worthy cause (YBP) and is possessed of its own unique quaintness and charm. The course was fast and treacherous, criss-crossing central Austin and challenging the combatants with an array of tasks to be completed. My favorite stop was the tea-chugging at Ruta Maya, followed by push-ups. Rolling in a solid fourth behind two of Austin's most experienced pro cyclists and a young up-and-comer, I am quite pleased. Plus, I won a nifty shirt and hat and wallet and $10.
This weekend is Belterra and Manda. I will, as always, be on the offensive.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Lago Vista/Spring Classic/News
Many apologies for the late arrival of this update. I have been very busy training for the upcoming Fort Davis Hammerfest and following Lance Armstrong's Twitter posts.
Lago Vista (2/28) was the most enjoyable race of the year so far. The lumpy, five-mile circuit offered many opportunities for attacks in the always nervous Cat 4 peleton. The first half of the course was mostly a long false flat with a couple of uphill punches until we reached the lago vista (lake view) and came roller-coastering down to the start-finish line. The cross-winds on the descents were always tense.
We let a Texas Tech rider go solo off the front on the second of eight laps. It was a pretty windy day, so nobody was really worried about him staying away as long as he was in sight. Still, after about three laps, he didn't seem to be getting tired, so I tried a little solo move of my own on one of the uphills to stretch out the legs and see if I might bridge up. No luck, though, as the group reacted quickly and swallowed me back up after a few hundred meters.
So I sat back and chatted with my teammates about embrocation and the discotheques we'd be attending to commemorate our inevitable victory.
After another couple of laps, it became obvious that the lone breakaway artist was being aided by a couple of teammates in the field who would block the group whenever it began to speed up in pursuit. Once again, I moved to the front of the pack and called for the others to come around the two stubborn blockers. When I looked back and saw nothing but scared, questioning eyes, I jumped again.
This time I put a little more sting into my efforts and quickly built a decent gap. The peleton tried to react, but I had timed my move to coincide with a couple of quick 90 degree turns, which I was able to take much faster than the clumsy group, and further increased my advantage. As we entered the down slopes, I was gaining on the leader but not fast enough. I started spinning out my 53x12 gearing and would have killed for an 11 in back. Still, I was having a good time off the front and was not eager to return to the boredom of pack riding, so I decided to burn all my matches and either finish bridging or hurt myself trying.
By the start-finish I had closed the gap to about 20 meters, but the chase was gaining fast. Accepting that we'd soon be caught, I sat up again and focused on recovering. I led out the last lap until pace kicked up and I couldn't follow Griswoldo as he streaked toward victory. Had he not been cut off by a jealous rival, he surely would have taken a podium spot. As it is, he somehow managed to stay upright despite breaking a spoke on the disrespectful offender's skewer and coasted to 7th.
Great racing, and the form is coming along nicely. More updates soon.
Lago Vista (2/28) was the most enjoyable race of the year so far. The lumpy, five-mile circuit offered many opportunities for attacks in the always nervous Cat 4 peleton. The first half of the course was mostly a long false flat with a couple of uphill punches until we reached the lago vista (lake view) and came roller-coastering down to the start-finish line. The cross-winds on the descents were always tense.
We let a Texas Tech rider go solo off the front on the second of eight laps. It was a pretty windy day, so nobody was really worried about him staying away as long as he was in sight. Still, after about three laps, he didn't seem to be getting tired, so I tried a little solo move of my own on one of the uphills to stretch out the legs and see if I might bridge up. No luck, though, as the group reacted quickly and swallowed me back up after a few hundred meters.
So I sat back and chatted with my teammates about embrocation and the discotheques we'd be attending to commemorate our inevitable victory.
After another couple of laps, it became obvious that the lone breakaway artist was being aided by a couple of teammates in the field who would block the group whenever it began to speed up in pursuit. Once again, I moved to the front of the pack and called for the others to come around the two stubborn blockers. When I looked back and saw nothing but scared, questioning eyes, I jumped again.
This time I put a little more sting into my efforts and quickly built a decent gap. The peleton tried to react, but I had timed my move to coincide with a couple of quick 90 degree turns, which I was able to take much faster than the clumsy group, and further increased my advantage. As we entered the down slopes, I was gaining on the leader but not fast enough. I started spinning out my 53x12 gearing and would have killed for an 11 in back. Still, I was having a good time off the front and was not eager to return to the boredom of pack riding, so I decided to burn all my matches and either finish bridging or hurt myself trying.
By the start-finish I had closed the gap to about 20 meters, but the chase was gaining fast. Accepting that we'd soon be caught, I sat up again and focused on recovering. I led out the last lap until pace kicked up and I couldn't follow Griswoldo as he streaked toward victory. Had he not been cut off by a jealous rival, he surely would have taken a podium spot. As it is, he somehow managed to stay upright despite breaking a spoke on the disrespectful offender's skewer and coasted to 7th.
Great racing, and the form is coming along nicely. More updates soon.
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