PedalMasher

So I decided to enter the monday master's series at PIR tonight. I was going to wait until the Tuesday series, but I figured since I've never raced outside of cyclocross it might be a good idea to get at least one race in the novice masters under my belt before I attempt the infamous Tuesday 4/5's. My legs were also fried from yesterday, but they were feeling good in the afternoon so I figured what the heck.

The nice lady takes my $ and I line up with the others for a 6:15 sharp start time. Cold, cold strong westerly wind which will make for a strong headwind finish. 24 riders, some looking really mean and fit, others looking like they need some miles! From ages 30 to about 50.

I was warmed up so I decided to stay near the front the first couple laps and found myself pulling into the headwind on lap 1 and 2. Feeling a bit used, I drift into the middle of the pack on the next few laps. I'm thinking to myself I'm feeling better than I should be after the monster cookie yesterday. 5 laps go by and all of a sudden this big guy attacks right before the bell lap. 3 men give chase but totally die on the backstretch. Again I find myself at the front of the peleton catching the chasers. So I figure what the heck, I'm gonna catch this guy out front. So I bridged up to him, look back and 20 riders right on my tail... Bell lap, I'm thinking I can win this thing.

Quarter mile to go we turn into the headwind on the finishing straight. 2 guys attack way too early. I grab the second guys wheel. The 3 of us have a small gap - about 300 yards to go and suddenly a train comes up on my right about to pass. Is it to early to sprint? Hell, I don't know, it's my first freakin' race! So I pull out into the wind and turn on the gas. I look for the finishing line and throw the bike out front like I know what I'm doing. Absolutely exhausted, I look back and realized I had a nice gap at the finish and I won. Don't know how I did it, but somehow my tactics bore fruit.

Thanks Bob Roll, Paul Sherwin, and boys, couldn't have done it w/o ya.

bigskymacadam

f**k yeah!!!!! dude, you rule. i was at the edge of my seat reading this. i have to drop the f bomb again. f**k yeah!!!!!

PedalMasher

Thanks bigsky, I appreciate the props. I have no computer data as my new cateye went on the fritz exactly halfway into the race. Damn....

So what's the average speed of the 4/5 race Tuesday? I might have to throw it down tomorrow.

bigskymacadam

23.1 was last week's average. let's see. we were supposed to do six laps, but the organizers wanted to mix it up and added another on the next to last lap for a total of seven laps.

i believe they are going to start putting hotspots in the races this week, so it'll make it even more interesting. check it out. hope to see you there. you will rule. i'm sick right now, but i want to make it out 'cuz it'll be a couple weeks before i'm racing again (vacation)

furiousferret

Sweet, way to kick some ass. Pulling one out on your first race is amazing, even with cyclocross experience.

PedalMasher

Yeah they were doing hotspots for the other racers, but not the novices.

I'm pretty tired. If I'm feeling good tomorrow, I'll race the 4/5's. If I don't see you, best of luck maintaining that high cat 5 standing and kick some ass yourself.

Dabbo

Cool Masher, good job with your first showing, good way to introduce yourself....., nice report too, I was undecided about going today or tomorrow, but I was still a bit tired from Saturday and Sunday so I opted to do the Tuesday, hope to see you out there sometime soon.
Ciao
Paolo

Jakey

I can't wait until I'm old enough to race masters. Maybe I'll be ready by then. Great job. I can't even believe you had legs after yesterday.

PedalMasher

You punk

You'll be 30... or 40... or 50 before you know it. At least you should have more gray hair than me since you have children!

bigskymacadam

masher, bikeportland.org was out there taking pics
https://bikeportland.org/2006/05/02/m...to-fast-start/
https://bikeportland.org/wp-content/p...57594122897351

Cromulent

Nice work!!!

fishmel

Pedalmasher, I didn't see this thread before I posted in Bigsky's, Awsome job on the first place finish!!, your an animal, so you were holding back on Sunday weren't you. You need to try the Tues. night, with your power you could do well.