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04-06-08, 09:12 PM
Raced today.
Dogwood Classic, Bradleyville MO (50miles south of Springfield).
53 miles, 4132 ft vertical climbing, 13% grade KOM. (While not that much, it was significantly more climbing than I've had in my training)
As expected, the climbing provided all the selection necessary. First 2 climbs saw half the pack drop like they'd just thrown out anchors.
I laughed.
Went to the front on the gentle rollers into the head and crosswind and drove the pace up. Picked off some of the dropped Masters and Cat 3 riders. Covered every attack but one, which got reeled in ~5 miles before the KOM. Got our climber to the KOM, made it half way up (2 miles long) and it felt like I'd just thrown out an anchor. I told Greg (our climber) "I got you to the KOM, I'm out!" and watched the field ride away. At this point the 47 rider peloton was down to ~25. For the next 5 miles I was in visual contact, but then they were gone. Picked off all the stragglers I could, rolled in 20th. Teammates up the road grabbed 11th and 13th, just out of points.
I'm happy with the way I rode. This is a long early season race and my 6'2" 177lbs frame is not the best for climbing, but I did better than I thought I would.
Easily the hardest race I've done to date.
Dogwood Classic, Bradleyville MO (50miles south of Springfield).
53 miles, 4132 ft vertical climbing, 13% grade KOM. (While not that much, it was significantly more climbing than I've had in my training)
As expected, the climbing provided all the selection necessary. First 2 climbs saw half the pack drop like they'd just thrown out anchors.
I laughed.
Went to the front on the gentle rollers into the head and crosswind and drove the pace up. Picked off some of the dropped Masters and Cat 3 riders. Covered every attack but one, which got reeled in ~5 miles before the KOM. Got our climber to the KOM, made it half way up (2 miles long) and it felt like I'd just thrown out an anchor. I told Greg (our climber) "I got you to the KOM, I'm out!" and watched the field ride away. At this point the 47 rider peloton was down to ~25. For the next 5 miles I was in visual contact, but then they were gone. Picked off all the stragglers I could, rolled in 20th. Teammates up the road grabbed 11th and 13th, just out of points.
I'm happy with the way I rode. This is a long early season race and my 6'2" 177lbs frame is not the best for climbing, but I did better than I thought I would.
Easily the hardest race I've done to date.