Cleave

Hi,

Figured I'd post this here seeing as this is a 50+ forum.

Rode the Masters 50+ Southern California / Nevada Criterium Championship race in Dana Point, CA. The course had six turns in 0.7 miles so it was more technical than the standard four corner course.

The announcer made a very big deal about the number of former Olympians, National Champions, and State Champions who were on the start line. Of course I started thinking, what about the rest of us -- are we just chopped liver?

The race started late because there was a crash in the last corner of the previous race so I had both feet out of the pedals so that on leg wouldn't get tired while we were waiting. So the official says that it looks like we're going to start soon and within 5 seconds he blows the whistle. No ready, set...

Amazingly, I got both feet in pretty quickly, settled into the pack, and that's where I stayed -- just hanging in the pack. Nothing significant happened until a few laps from the end when I saw this guy on very expensive looking deep carbon wheels having a problem. It looked like he broke several spokes on his rear wheel because it looked like the rear wheel was about to collapse. I was thinking, "Boy those wheels aren't too reliable."

Well so much for having those thoughts because coming into the last turn just before the bell, my 5 year old Zipp 303 rear wheel had a spoke break. Held up my right hand, moved to the outside as we got the bell, and pulled out on the exit of turn 1. The corner marshal said that I had to ride around the course to get a spare wheel.

The Garmin showed an average speed of 26 MPH which I guess was fairly fast but for some reason it seemed faster than that. Other than that it was a pretty sane race -- no crashes and no significant sketchy riding.

The guy who won has won the last three 50+ in a row -- last Sunday, last Monday, and today. BTW, he wasn't one of the former champions.

Hermes

Great race Cleave. Bad luck with the spoke. Did you compete in the District ITT?

Cleave

Hi Hermes,

Yes, I "rode" the ITT. Was really trying to ride it smarter than in the past and was really trying to do negative splits. Unfortunately, it didn't go as well as hoped. I was about 10 seconds faster than last year and about 5 seconds slower than two years ago.

At least I'm consistent.

BikeWNC

Hey Cleave! Just saw this race report. Sounds like bad luck to have the wheel problem so late in the race. As for the ITT, the way I look at it is at our age if your not losing time each year you're doing ok.

LOL about the Olympians etc. They put their bibs on like everyone else. I raced against those guys in WW Slalom for years and it was no big deal. Never beat them though.

Cleave

Hi Andy,

Is WW Slalom an alpine ski race? If so, that's another sport that we have in common. I used to race slalom and mess around with GS when I was in college.

BTW, almost bit it in tonight's race. Ended up hitting a bike as it was flying through the air with my right hand. My index finger is badly bruised. Hopefully I don't have a small fracture since I'm supposed to do a TTT this weekend. Four guys in pink and blue.

BikeWNC

Whitewater Slalom in a kayak through gates in a river rapid. I'm a poor skier though I did ok because I played ice hockey and could always stop on a dime.

Dang close call you had with that other bike. Guess it could have been worse than just your finger.