Herbie53

I've done some club rides that end in a sprint for the parking lot and done a timed metric century, but finally did a "real" race this past Sunday.

What an absolute rush!!! Race was the Owasco Flyer in Upstate NY (beautiful place!!), some 250 riders including some plenty fast Cat 2 or so guys that pressed the pace early to around 30mph. I knew I couldn't live long at that pace, but it sure was fun while it lasted!!! The surges and sounds of the peloton were awesome.

Dropped into a second group for awhile and ended up in a pack of 8 or 10 until they dropped me with 5 miles to go (just couldn't quite catch a wheel after a climb). Ended up with an average pace of about 20.3 over the 35 miles and feel good given my experience and the terrain -- pretty hilly second half.

I'm still a clyde.. I just think galloping with quarterhorses once and awhile is fun!!!!

racethenation

That sounds like a blast! I keep entertaining the idea, but I know that right now it would just be an expensive day of me riding around by myself after I got dropped.

mkadam68

Awesome! They still do the Flyer?! I did that back in '94 or '95 (lived in Syracuse). A somewhat hilly race, as I recall. I had trouble getting over the first climb w/the field. Good job!

Askel

Get a bunch of friends to do it with you! I've been mountain bike racing for a few years now, but did my first road events just last weekend.

My teammates and I decided to do the 35 mile Citizens race and stick together as a group to help eachother along. Sure, the lead pack ditched us early on- but by sticking together we were able to get 3 riders in first place for their age categories (myself included). But more importantly, it was just great fun to be out there with a bunch of friends working toward a goal.



(Guess who the Clyde is in that picture. )

Askel

Crit racing Clyde style is also fun. Ain't nuthin' gonna try gettin' in the way of this under full steam.

Herbie53

The first climb was at mile 6 or so and mostly things stayed intact. The group was big this year. Probably over 100 riders in the first group until the turn and climb at the south end of the lake (mile 16ish).


Flyer elevation.jpg

hendrick81

Good job...

bbeck

sounds like fun