Hi,
This is my vanity threadfor my more interesting race reports. Of course, more interesting is in the eye of the racer.
Raced in beautiful Carson, CA this past Sunday at the California Bicycle Racing (CBR) Crit With No Name! (Yes, that was the name of the race.) Did my usual CBR trio of races: Masters 55+/60+, Masters 50+, and Masters 45+. First weekend criteriums since the middle of July -- a big break for me. Somewhat amazingly, considering how long I've been in this sport, one thing I've come to realize this year is that my mental confidence has a lot to do with my performance. This past Sunday it was OK, but not good.
In the 55+/60+ race, I hit the front early with an effort that didn't amount to much. I was able to hold a good position and when a group of 5 separated from the front I tried chasing into the break. A friend was on my wheel. Unfortunately, he wasn't too friendly and accelerated hard around me so that I couldn't catch his wheel. I chased a little longer but the pack was back on me and the break was coming back so I sat up.
It took me more than a few laps to recover from that effort. Heading into 4 laps to go another group of 5 went off the front. This time I tried jumping on the wheel of a different friend who went after them. I never could quite get his wheel but I was clear of the pack. I chased for almost a lap and caught the break (as did my friend) but a short time later the pack came up on us. I tried to hold a good spot heading into the bell but going into turn 4 a guy on the inside and a guy on the outside gave up and not knowing exactly what they were going to do I got out of it until I cleared them. According to the promoter's Facebook post, I was 17th in 55+. Don't know how many guys were out there.
The 50+ field was reasonably large and reasonably fast. Didn't do much because I wasn't sure how how I'd hold up with the pace. Ended up staying in easily and my total workload was probably less than in the 55+ race.
The 45+ race was very unusual because the field was smaller than the 50+ field and because it was slower. It ended up being about the same speed as the 55+ race. It was also unusual for me because I managed to hold a consistently high position in the field. (I am infamous for drifting to the back too often.) I was watching for something that looked like it might stick but I never ventured off the front. Had a good position going into the bell but didn't have enough nerve as we hit turn 3 and I lost a bunch of spots. Not sure where I finished but I finished upright and I wasn't totally dead after 3 races that totaled 51 miles with an average speed of 25.9 MPH.
Guess I'm as good as I'll be for natz.
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Originally Posted by AzTallRider
This was the first time that I've EVER mis-counted (mis-timed?) the finish of a race. I guess it had to happen sometime. 
BTW, we did get the 2-to-go lap card at 2 laps to go.
I actually caught my 30 second man before the turnaround and the guy who started 30 seconds behind me never caught me. I was pretty happy that no one caught me before the turnaround. A couple of miles later someone went by me but I was able to stay relatively close to him after he passed me. He'd pull away on the descents and I'd close up on the rises. Just as we got to the 5 Km sign the wheels fell off. Three(!) guys passed me in the last 5 Km and I couldn't stay close to any of them.
