"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - my poolesville race

I really wanted to do well in this race. I wanted to win or at least get in a real break.
Unfortunately neither happened and I finished 24th out of the 75 starters.

There were no breaks in the race which I found very suprising after hearing how this race is usually won.
There were 2 crashed that happened right in front of me that I managed to miss.
The first one was kind of bad and didnt even happen on the sketchy gravel section
everyone was worried about. I actually rode a little off the road to miss
this one. The other crash was at the end of the gravel section and wasnt too bad.

Another guy was going way too fast down the hill into the turn into the gravel and
locked up his breaks and slid into the back wheel of another guy. The guy he hit had his
back wheel explode and I got hit in the face with spokes but nobody went down.

I was really frustrated with how everyone raced. I think people took the turn into the
gravel too easy. It almost felt like stopping, even while in the front, each time through.
Everytime someone went off the front everyone started yelling to let them go. I dont
know why everyone listened. I kept boxing myself in so I could never try to go with
anyone.

Sometime during the race it most have gotten broken up pretty fast. On the 4th lap I
inally turned around to find myself in the back of a group with maybe 30 riders top with
no one else to be seen.

After my ill fated attack I spent the last lap recovering. When the final turn came I
idnt really have it in me to sprint and I was too far back to do anything so I just rode
across the line for 24th.

I should feel good about finishing with the front group in my second cat 4 race but you
always feel like you could have done so much better when its over.

here are the graphs for the people into that

race:
Duration: 1:45:58
Work: 1335 kJ
TSS: 197.2 (intensity factor 1.057)
Norm Power: 264
VI: 1.26
Distance: 41.659 mi
Min Max Avg
Power: 0 1071 210 watts
Heart rate: 127 184 165 bpm
Cadence: 32 215 92 rpm
Speed: 8.2 37.1 23.6 mph
Pace 1:37 7:19 2:33 min/mi
Hub Torque: 0 426 64 lb-in
Crank Torque: 0 1622 204 lb-in


http://criticalthrash.com/images/biking/poolesville.JPG
http://criticalthrash.com/images/biking/poolesville2.JPG
http://criticalthrash.com/images/biking/poolesville3.JPG

are the results posted somewhere or did you get results there?

i stayed with the second group most of the race. seeing as it was my first time out i was happy to not be last, crash, or drop out. i feel like i learned some good stuff and am encouraged to keep at it.

cheers,
-john

i stayed and saw the results.

Do you know anything about the people in that first crash? Were they ok?

Where is your race report?

i stayed and saw the results.

Do you know anything about the people in that first crash? Were they ok?

Where is your race report?

the guys who i saw when we rode past looked a little dinged up but nobody looked seriously hurt.

i've gotta head out right now, but i'll write something a little better tonight or tomorrow.

I know you pays your money and you takes your chances and all that crap, but come on. This is getting ridiculous.

Coming into lap 3 of 4, Riskus and I were hangin' out in the pack, discussing the complete flops of breakaways that had gone off, and how neither of us felt like we were really up for a lasting break. My team still had 5 guys up at the front of the pack, so it was looking more and more like it was going to be one for the sprinters, i.e. me and 2 of our other strong guys. I was OK with this.

My legs were feeling good, and after 2 laps I honestly felt completely fresh. No burn, no aching, nothing. I was feeling GOOD.

Then, on a ****ing straightaway in the ****ing flats, someone apparently blew a tire or something, prompting some meathead to go sweeping from left to right through the entire pack, and much crashing ensues. I, of course, am right behind the crashing.

I originally try to get by a falling rider on the right, then see that door slam shut. I look left, and there are already riders passing up the left side. I'm right in the middle, about to hit the guy who had already gone down. I hit the brakes, lock up the rear wheel, and end up skidding sideways around the crashed rider. Luckily I kept control of the front end and was able to keep a good line. I skid to a stop, upright, suffering only a minor racking by my top tube. Whew.

I look up ahead and see the pack off in the distance. We're less than half a mile from the big choke point, i.e. the transition to the dirt road, so I'm confident that I can catch the pack. I jump on the pedals, and the bike doesn't move. WTH?

I take a look at the rear wheel, and it's bent all to *****. I don't know if it just happened from the hardcore skidfest or if someone hit my rear wheel at some point, but sure enough my tire was smashed against the chainstays.

Race over for DrPete.

I got a ride back to the start/finish where I reported the meathead and his peloton-sweeping move to the officials. He wasn't in the thick of it at the finish so I don't know what difference it made, but I felt better.

On an up note, my teammate Scott was able to grab 2nd. Good for him, but frustrating because we're about the same level of sprinting ability. We had a total of 4-5 riders in the top 20. Our elite woman racer also took 3rd thanks to a long attack that held and bested all the sprinters in the pack. 2 women went off on a huge break, though, so she took 3rd.

I'm so frustrated and demoralized right now. I've been training hard, my fitness is totally there, I was racing a smart race, and ***** just happened. Again. Maybe this is fate getting its revenge on me for getting through the 5's completely crash-free. I don't know. But for the second time after a race my next stop was Capitol Hill Bikes, who will be rebuilding my now trashed Powertap wheel.

2 consecutive races, 2 consecutive DNF's due to getting caught behind crashes. Not to mention, of course, the new bars and rebuilt wheel. This is pissing me off. :mad:

I feel your pain, Pete, but on the bright side, be glad you can race! If you were feeling good today, look at your performance manager chart and see what your CTL/ATL scores are. Is your TSB positive? If it's not, then you may need to tweak the calibration a bit. There's a silver lining to every cloud, and on this day you know you were in good form, so you can adjust your data analysis tools to be more effective in preparing for your next race :)

seriously why did you have to go do that! Totally changed the rest of the race for me being all alone. I lost my only other friend at the crash following yours at the end of the gravel section.

Man, there were a TON of pissed off people after your race. The interesting thing is that I pointed that guy out to my team mate beforehand and lo and behold, he's involved in some ugly crap. I saw one guy over by the registration desk who had several EMTs working on his profusely bleeding hand; he was wearing King Pawn kit and was taken away in an ambulance.

The 3/4 race was much less eventful. Just a few flats and mechanicals and a couple of guys who dropped their chains. The lead in to the sprint was ramping up nicely, but it felt to me like everyone faded really early and I didn't react properly despite my remaining match or two...I think I just couldn't understand why people were falling backwards so fast and I soft pedaled a bit about 50 meters out. I ended up 20th. The 4th lap was the fastest--we were strung out single file for a good part of it. My throat hurts from sucking all that dust today :D

As I was on my way to leave I overheard someone muttering about someone in the 1/2/3 race who tried to take another racer out for refusing to work or something... I'll be curious to see if any reports shed light on this.

the guys who i saw when we rode past looked a little dinged up but nobody looked seriously hurt.

i've gotta head out right now, but i'll write something a little better tonight or tomorrow.

John!! I had no idea you were racing!! Awesome!!

I ended up 20th.

*clap* *clap* *clap*
yay!!

*clap* *clap* *clap*
yay!!

meh. at least I stayed upright:)

now get back to studying!

so the 3/4 race ended in a bunch sprint too?

so the 3/4 race ended in a bunch sprint too?

Yeah. There were a few attempts, but nothing stuck. anyone doing bunny hop tomorrow?

how did the 123 race end?

Im on the waiting list for the 3/4 race tomorrow. I am going to get kilt

so the 3/4 race ended in a bunch sprint too?

I heard it was a staring contest with no one willing to blink. Unfortunately, our team got hit like Monte Burns' ringer softball team from the Simpsons, and we only had 2 guys racing. I was unable to race due to a family situation, one team mate didnt recover from crashing and banging up his knee at Ephrata last week, another got food poisoning, and another with a family obligation that came up. Sucks, our plan as of last week was to really drive the pace from the first time through the gravel with a big surge then multiple attacks until the race cracked open. Race would have been soooo different. Oh well, maybe get 'em next time.

I know you pays your money and you takes your chances and all that crap, but come on. This is getting ridiculous.

Coming into lap 3 of 4, Riskus and I were hangin' out in the pack, discussing the complete flops of breakaways that had gone off, and how neither of us felt like we were really up for a lasting break. My team still had 5 guys up at the front of the pack, so it was looking more and more like it was going to be one for the sprinters, i.e. me and 2 of our other strong guys. I was OK with this.

My legs were feeling good, and after 2 laps I honestly felt completely fresh. No burn, no aching, nothing. I was feeling GOOD.

Then, on a ****ing straightaway in the ****ing flats, someone apparently blew a tire or something, prompting some meathead to go sweeping from left to right through the entire pack, and much crashing ensues. I, of course, am right behind the crashing.

I originally try to get by a falling rider on the right, then see that door slam shut. I look left, and there are already riders passing up the left side. I'm right in the middle, about to hit the guy who had already gone down. I hit the brakes, lock up the rear wheel, and end up skidding sideways around the crashed rider. Luckily I kept control of the front end and was able to keep a good line. I skid to a stop, upright, suffering only a minor racking by my top tube. Whew.

I look up ahead and see the pack off in the distance. We're less than half a mile from the big choke point, i.e. the transition to the dirt road, so I'm confident that I can catch the pack. I jump on the pedals, and the bike doesn't move. WTH?

I take a look at the rear wheel, and it's bent all to *****. I don't know if it just happened from the hardcore skidfest or if someone hit my rear wheel at some point, but sure enough my tire was smashed against the chainstays.

Race over for DrPete.

I got a ride back to the start/finish where I reported the meathead and his peloton-sweeping move to the officials. He wasn't in the thick of it at the finish so I don't know what difference it made, but I felt better.

On an up note, my teammate Scott was able to grab 2nd. Good for him, but frustrating because we're about the same level of sprinting ability. We had a total of 4-5 riders in the top 20. Our elite woman racer also took 3rd thanks to a long attack that held and bested all the sprinters in the pack. 2 women went off on a huge break, though, so she took 3rd.

I'm so frustrated and demoralized right now. I've been training hard, my fitness is totally there, I was racing a smart race, and ***** just happened. Again. Maybe this is fate getting its revenge on me for getting through the 5's completely crash-free. I don't know. But for the second time after a race my next stop was Capitol Hill Bikes, who will be rebuilding my now trashed Powertap wheel.

2 consecutive races, 2 consecutive DNF's due to getting caught behind crashes. Not to mention, of course, the new bars and rebuilt wheel. This is pissing me off. :mad:

Bummer Dr. Pete. As they say, that's racing. Better a trashed wheel than a trashed frame, elbow, hip, leg, ... and you still got the fulcrum 1s to take out to Bunny Hop, yeah?

Bummer Dr. Pete. As they say, that's racing. Better a trashed wheel than a trashed frame, elbow, hip, leg, ... and you still got the fulcrum 1s to take out to Bunny Hop, yeah?

Yeah, I'll be on the Fulcrum 1's, but I won't be at Bunny Hop. I'm flying out to a conference tomorrow AM and won't be back till Thursday. I'll be doing the Mt. St. Mary's University crit the following weekend, and I was thinking about going to the one in Virginia Beach or wherever on the 13th.

It's probably better that way. I'm just in the wrong mindset tonight. I know it could be a lot worse, but it's just pissing me off that I have a limited amount of time to really focus on racing and I've had my last 2 races get crapped on by someone else's crash. I know I'm ranting, and I apologize.

how did the 123 race end?

Im on the waiting list for the 3/4 race tomorrow. I am going to get kilt

1/2/3 there was one guy alone w/ a few chasers... I imagine there was a break of 8 or so that splintered. I'm not really sure tho.

I'm sure you'll be fine for the 3/4. It was full when I went to sign up, so I signed up for the masters; at least I don't race til late!

we should figure a way to meet up at some point... I'll PM you my cell.

meh. at least I stayed upright:)


yay for you! no finger break this week! :)

you wont be able to miss me. I wear a plain white jersey, have a beard, one arm tattooed all the way up and ride a blue steel frame

Yeah, I'll be on the Fulcrum 1's, but I won't be at Bunny Hop. I'm flying out to a conference tomorrow AM and won't be back till Thursday. I'll be doing the Mt. St. Mary's University crit the following weekend, and I was thinking about going to the one in Virginia Beach or wherever on the 13th.

It's probably better that way. I'm just in the wrong mindset tonight. I know it could be a lot worse, but it's just pissing me off that I have a limited amount of time to really focus on racing and I've had my last 2 races get crapped on by someone else's crash. I know I'm ranting, and I apologize.

Rant understood. Attack more, less danger in a breakaway:D

I wont be at bunnyhop, I hate bunnyhop, I had no plans to do it before this weeks stuff, I'm just hoping to get on the bike tomorrow, I havent ridden since last Sunday and am getting really twitchy.

Why dont you like bunnyhop?

I bet I know why and I am already kind of regretting signing up for it. I kinda wish I would have signed up for the race in newport news instead.

Why dont you like bunnyhop?

I bet I know why and I am already kind of regretting signing up for it. I kinda wish I would have signed up for the race in newport news instead.

Nothing wrong with it, it's just kind of a boring race. Pool table flat, 3 corners, short course, wide road. Feels like you're a dog chasing your tail, sooo many laps. It's a very well run event and a good race, just not my cup of tea.

yep thats exactly what i thought.

after doing that flat 1 mile perfectly square crit two weeks ago im not looking forward to an even simpler shorter course tomorrow.

Even my big azz doesn't like 'em TOTALLY flat... :)

But who am I kidding? I'd be there if I weren't going to be on a plane.

Thanks for the report, guys. I totally understand the psychological highs and lows of racing.

Had I signed up for this race during those few minutes in which registration was open, I would have been up there. My wife has been bugging me all weekend about how we should have gone up to Maryland instead of staying here.

--Steve

John!! I had no idea you were racing!! Awesome!!

haha, well 'racing' might be a bit generous, but i was there!

here's my belated race report.

as i've said, this was my first race. i went to a couple ncvc racing clinics over the winter but beyond that i've mostly been training on my own. intervals about once a week, a long ride once a week if at all possible, commuting, general transportation. the occasional run, that's about it. i know i've got some good legs, but i also knew that i haven't been as dedicated as i should or could have been.

my goal in this race was to get my feet wet. i wanted to see if i'm a few hard hours a week away from being competitive or if i should just stick to recreational cycling, which i already get a lot out of. i wanted to be safe and i was determined to finish. everything else was icing.

i got to poolesville later than i'd hoped, due to a forgotten wallet (DAMMIT) and didn't have time to get in a proper warmup. i remember from my high school track days how important it is to warm up and was undersandably upset.

at the line, i was towards the back. i was pretty intimidated by this point. i was one of the few unattached riders, i was riding a very modest bike and i knew no one. some folks were discussing the gravel section, and a rather large fellow with quite a few tattoos was recounting a horror story about a race in charleston. they were riding on wet cobblestones and there was some horrific crash, i was trying not to listen. luckily before i knew it, the race had begun.

in the initial half mile there was one really scary moment where there was almost a crash in the huge pack, but people managed to stay up. everyone was talking about "that kelly guy" who caused it. i didn't really see what happened.

i felt good, staying with the group through the gravel. it really is a lot easier to go fast when you're surrounded by people going as fast. i'd ridden in pacelines before, but never in such a large group that it felt like i barely even had to pedal. on the gravel it did feel like the pace was slower than necessary, but i suppose some people were being overly cautious, and some didn't want to mess up their fancy wheels.

after the gravel was the "kicker" as mdcatv calls it. that broke things up quite a bit, and while i felt strong going up, the combination of nervous stomach and muscle burn caused me to drop back a bit once i was over the top. the field was pretty much scattered, and the 30 or so at the front seemed to be accelerating, while some were still struggling to get over the hill.

i'm gathering my senses as that very same large tattooed fellow rides by me saying something i can't quite understand. i assumed he was yelling at me for doing something stupid, as is often the case, but after a second it registers that he said "hop on!" he had a guy or two behind him and the beginnings of a chase pack was forming. so i took his advice and stuck my nose in, and immediately i was feeling better.

the main pack was already a ways out front but i was back in the game, and ready to work.

this group stuck together for most of the rest of the race. the vast majority of the pulling was done by a member of the capitol hill bikes team. occasionally one of us would try to go out front to relieve him, including myself, but he would just zip around us, laughing and smiling. after awhile it was clear that he intended to pull us trough the course, and for the most part we were grateful. i still feel a little guilty about it, but i tried to pull a couple times, he just wasn't having it.

i would get the occasional pointer from the aforementioned large tattooed fellow, but other than that it just felt like a fast paced group ride. at times i felt almost like we were going too slow, but i knew that i needed the draft in order to maintain this speed, so i just sat in.

about midway through the final lap the group picked up the pace considerably and i fell back a little. i was trying to budget my energy so that i could finish reasonably strong but in retrospect should've done everything i could to stay in the draft. oh well.

as the finish came up i actually managed to catch a couple of the guys who, like me, had been spat out the back of the pack. i feel like i even could've put in a semi-decent sprint, but was very tired and there was no one to catch, so i decided to play it safe and not risk crashing at the end, by myself, in 50th place.

i said thanks to a couple of the guys who helped me out and headed out of there.

turns out i got 47th out of 57 finishers, which i'm perfectly satisfied with for my first effort. next time will be another story.

i feel like i learned a few things about saving energy, when to sprint in order to get in the draft, and how to corner effectively in a race. i also learned that i have some work to do, but that i am in fact capable of being a road racer and maybe even being good at it eventually.

most importantly i learned that while people are really serious about this, they're also willing to help a guy out. even if he clearly has no idea what he's doing, and this was very encouraging.

i look forward to my next race (perhaps a greenbelt crit, i'm not sure) and to structuring my training with more of an idea what i'm working towards.

i'll definitely see you guys again soon.

-john

edit: if someone sees pics online would you link us? thanks!

Great report. I had no idea there was more then one group. I was also riding unattached.

Im curious as to why you chose this as your first race. Anything with gravel in it doesnt seem like the ideal entry race.

Good job on finishing and you made the right call not sprinting at the end there. No need to get hurt at that point.

Im curious as to why you chose this as your first race. Anything with gravel in it doesnt seem like the ideal entry race.

excellent point, i wondered that myself.

i really love road riding. i enjoy varied terrain and feel that my strengh is adapting to the road in front of me, as opposed to pure leg strength. this was the only road race in early may that i could make, so i signed up knowing very little about the race.

when i read about the gravel i considered selling my spot and just doing a crit instead. but i wanted to follow through with what i started, that's what this race was really all about to me. so i did it and had a great time.

ironically i felt much stronger on the gravel than it seemed others were. i frequently ride the c&o on my cross bike, so i felt good. now i just need to get my strength and strategy up and maybe next year i'll be able to do some damage. figuratively, of course.

in the initial half mile there was one really scary moment where there was almost a crash in the huge pack, but people managed to stay up. everyone was talking about "that kelly guy" who caused it. i didn't really see what happened.

* * *

this group stuck together for most of the rest of the race. the vast majority of the pulling was done by a member of the capitol hill bikes team. occasionally one of us would try to go out front to relieve him, including myself, but he would just zip around us, laughing and smiling. after awhile it was clear that he intended to pull us trough the course, and for the most part we were grateful. i still feel a little guilty about it, but i tried to pull a couple times, he just wasn't having it.



That Kelly Guy was a menace. He was in the final group to the end, and finished near the top. But, a lot of the lead group was trying to stay clear of the guy and warning each other about him. I yelled at him more than once for not holding his line. There was anpthjer guy from a local team that I witnessed almost take out three people in three separate incidents (myself included). All in all, it was a sketchy race.

The Cap Hill Bikes guys was Ted. He was "complaining" that none of you would pull through. ACtually, it was good for him. He is a strong rider, but a bit skiddish in packs and cornering.

Glad you finished. You will learn that it gets easier from there.

Good luck going forward.

The Cap Hill Bikes guys was Ted. He was "complaining" that none of you would pull through. ACtually, it was good for him. He is a strong rider, but a bit skiddish in packs and cornering.


There's such a big difference in effort between being on the front and being in the pack that it's likely that both "Ted" and the other guys in the group ALL thought the group was going too slow. Ted pulls at the front for a while but as soon as he's not at the front anymore the pace probably seems to easy for him, especially if he's not used to riding in a group. Someone else feels like the pace is too easy with Ted on the front and pulls in front of him, only to slow down due to not realizing how much harder one must work at the front. Everyone is frustrated, but not because anyone is doing anything overtly wrong per se.

This kind of stuff happens even during group rides where everyone is trying to work together and get a good workout. It's not at all surprising to see it happen in a race where everyone wants to do as little work as possible and stay fresh for the finish.

--Steve

That Kelly Guy was a menace. He was in the final group to the end, and finished near the top. But, a lot of the lead group was trying to stay clear of the guy and warning each other about him. I yelled at him more than once for not holding his line. There was anpthjer guy from a local team that I witnessed almost take out three people in three separate incidents (myself included). All in all, it was a sketchy race.

The Cap Hill Bikes guys was Ted. He was "complaining" that none of you would pull through. ACtually, it was good for him. He is a strong rider, but a bit skiddish in packs and cornering.

Glad you finished. You will learn that it gets easier from there.

Good luck going forward.

im curious what lsv guy you are talking about because i seemed to be riding behind one most of the race.

There's such a big difference in effort between being on the front and being in the pack that it's likely that both "Ted" and the other guys in the group ALL thought the group was going too slow. Ted pulls at the front for a while but as soon as he's not at the front anymore the pace probably seems to easy for him, especially if he's not used to riding in a group. Someone else feels like the pace is too easy with Ted on the front and pulls in front of him, only to slow down due to not realizing how much harder one must work at the front. Everyone is frustrated, but not because anyone is doing anything overtly wrong per se.

This kind of stuff happens even during group rides where everyone is trying to work together and get a good workout. It's not at all surprising to see it happen in a race where everyone wants to do as little work as possible and stay fresh for the finish.

--Steve

this is when the spedometer really comes in handy. When I did that race in arizona a few months ago the pace definitely slowed by as much as 2 mph when I wasnt pulling while I was trying to catch the group.

Even my big azz doesn't like 'em TOTALLY flat... :)

But who am I kidding? I'd be there if I weren't going to be on a plane.


Um... VA Beach is as flat as SE Michigan, if not flatter...

the more i think about this race the more I wish I would have been in position to bridge for one of those times a guy attacked off the front and everyone yelled to let it go.

lesson learned

Um... VA Beach is as flat as SE Michigan, if not flatter...
Unless the race in question is a 'cross race on Mt. Trashmore! That's at least slightly less flat than everything else in VB :)

the more i think about this race the more I wish I would have been in position to bridge for one of those times a guy attacked off the front and everyone yelled to let it go.

lesson learned
riskus, have you been in other races where people have yelled to let people go? I ask because that's not usually how it plays out down here. Occasionally when someone we know isn't strong enough to go the distance goes off the front we'll let him dangle off for a while to tire him out, but I've never had a group of people other than teammates of someone going up the road sit up and let people get away like that.

no ive never been in another race where that happened before.

Like I said though. The one guy that went off was definitely a threat and people still said it. So it wasnt just people thinking it was weak riders going off.

Weird! Also as you said, next time you'll know what to do :)

Weird. I would interpret "let him go" as "attack, bridge, work together" especially if a known strong rider or member of a team with #s is involved. But I'm goofy that way.

no ive never been in another race where that happened before.

Like I said though. The one guy that went off was definitely a threat and people still said it. So it wasnt just people thinking it was weak riders going off.

He is a good rider, but he was not going to stick it for 3 laps. There was an effort to keep him close, but leave him out there to wear himself out. In the end, he still had enough to place well in the sprint.

Riskus, I remember your attempt at a break. You gave up too quick. We saw you go and did not react because you gave up like 50 yards in front of the pack.

it was the first time ive ever attacked in a race so i had no clue what I was doing.

So I just found out that one of the kids I used to ride with (and who was a young Boy Scout in my troop when I was just about done with Boy Scouts) won the 3/4 race. Congrats to Zack Allison. He rides for NCVC and just started racing last year. He went from no race experience to a cat 3 in his first season- obviously, he's strong!

for those who haven't seen, jim wilson' photos (http://images.jamesrwilson.com/album/273780#imageID=16445850) turned out great. that's me on the left. and yes, it is a nice visor.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/229/491154467_18eafb51d0.jpg

So I just found out that one of the kids I used to ride with (and who was a young Boy Scout in my troop when I was just about done with Boy Scouts) won the 3/4 race. Congrats to Zack Allison. He rides for NCVC and just started racing last year. He went from no race experience to a cat 3 in his first season- obviously, he's strong!

Zack has a real feel for his abilities, puts himself in the right place at the finish, and has a great sprint when lead out. I've finished 2nd to him several times over the past 2 seasons, he's so sneaky, and easily forgotten or unseen until the last 200M. If he's there, he's the favorite in the Cat 3 MABRA world right now. Whereas, I race completely differently by attacking/instigating, generally dont like the chaos of a field sprint, but will mix it up if needed. I'm sure he'll upgrade to Cat 2 soon, so I'll have one less kid to worry about!

Yeah, sometimes I wish I could race that way. I do it more your way- attack and try to get away in breaks anytime I can. I'm up at the front a lot (not in the wind, but up there and therefore not forgotten about). I don't like field sprints because I don't sprint well- I'm working on that, but I do a lot better by stretching the field out or getting away in a break.