"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Palatka Road Race Report

I raced.

Since they were starting very late, they mixed us in with the cat-3s to save time.

The pace was fast.

The weather was hot.

I got to start a long leadout for our two sprinters.

After my long setup another one of our leadout guys took over and threw the hammer down opening up the sprint.

Both of our sprinters came in the money.

I finished comfortably in the middle of the pack.

They bought me a milkshake.

That is all.

A free milkshake is a free milkshake. Good work for the team.

Good work!

Someday those sprinters had better help you bridge up to the winning break and not just buy you milkshakes.;)

The big excitement of the day was the thumb tacks thrown on the race course. In the the 35+ race there were a buch of flats all in one corner, where someone had thrwon down tacks.

This race was in the middle of Florida. Inland, off the coast, and about as deep south as it gets. Hard to tell whether the tacks were a random act of stupidity by kids, or symptomatic of a disgruntled local populace. ( A few did have to waith 10-15 seconds on their way to pick up Marlboroughs).

As for my race.the course really didn't suit me. Hilly by florida standards, with the biggest hill at the start finish. Road upfront all day, and was glad to be in the first handfull everytime up the climb.

Did some work for teammates bridging gaps,and placing a teamate at the front for the the final climb.

I knew my odds of a high placing with a climb at the finsih were low, so I just worked for my team mate,
and then cruised in for a pack finish.

Also my schedule called for 2 hours of endurance miles after the race, so I wasn't really looking to kill myself. ( and I have a few other excuses if you don't buy those.)

The big excitement of the day was the thumb tacks thrown on the race course. In the the 35+ race there were a buch of flats all in one corner, where someone had thrwon down tacks.

This race was in the middle of Florida. Inland, off the coast, and about as deep south as it gets. Hard to tell whether the tacks were a random act of stupidity by kids, or symptomatic of a disgruntled local populace. ( A few did have to waith 10-15 seconds on their way to pick up Marlboroughs).

Yeah, the tacks were assinine and a guy is now nursing a broken arm because of them. I suspect the locals were upset that their dirt track (that field on the right about 2 miles into the course) was closed for the race.

All of my friends from Putnam County laughed when I told them where it was being held. I asked and they said "you're going to 19th century Appalachia."

All of my friends from Putnam County laughed when I told them where it was being held. I asked and they said "you're going to 19th century Appalachia."


I'm from Appalachia. 19th century Appalachia was more sophisticated.:)

I'm from Appalachia. 19th century Appalachia was more sophisticated.:)

I had a grandmother who spent her last few years in a small town in rural West Virginia. Her address was "3rd house behind the flowershop" (seriously).

There have been some thumbtack incidents this year in TX too. A couple road races and the MS-150.

Throwing tacks at an MS-150? thats a straight ticket to hell if ever heard of one.

I bet these goons crank call Gerry's telethon too.