Ocean State Games at Ningret, 20k and 40k races "in one," 6th and 5th (similar to what shovel did 2-3 weeks ago where, in essence, the "1st"/20k race is the first 14 laps and the "2nd"/40k race is the entire 28 laps).

This was very interesting and my strength and confidence are increasing. I could figure out some of the folks whom I was racing against at the start, and as laps went on, it was clear who were the players.

It wasn't too long after the start that all age groups (40-44, 45-49, 50-54. 55-59. 60-64) were all racing together. I pretty much stayed midpack during the entire first race to conserve energy. My position was ok coming into the sprint to the line for the "1st" race. I could see that I wasn't going to be top 3, so, I backed off a little to conserve for the "2nd" race.

I feel good about my aggressiveness and my "expanding my horizons" in the last 14 laps. Early on, I was a back a bit and I saw a break go with about 12 laps or so to go. I only saw one person in my age-group, so, I didn't sweat it too much and kept an eye on four other riders who I felt worthy of watching.

With maybe 10 laps or so to go, someone in a different age-group launched and went after the break. Eventually, he got a decent gap, was making some progress, and I thought that he just might reach the break. The pack was putting in some effort to go after this chaser and I was taking a fair number of pulls in the process. However, we didn't make much progress.

Then at about 8 to go -- and this is very uncharacteristic of me -- I went after this guy as I thought, at the least, he just might stay away, even if he did not catch the break. I put down about 3 minutes of hard effort and caught him; that is a big wow for me as I am one to wait for the sprint finish in a race. Alas, enough of his strength had waned; so, soon enough, the pack -- less the break -- was altogether.

For the rest of the way, about 6 laps to go, I stayed at or near the front. I felt good, and thought about moving back and conserving for the final sprint. But, after seeing how I did in chasing down the "chaser," I started thinking about jumping were there a good lull with about 2 laps to go. There was no lull coming into 2 to go, so, I moved back a few spots to conserve energy.

Then, as we turned onto the home stretch, approaching the bell lap, someone in my age-group launched very aggressively. He got a really nice gap quickly, at least 50 yards. This grew to over 100 yards. I thought about the the rider in my age-group who was in the break and this guy as we exited turn 1 and approached turn 2.

I was unsure of what to do: wait as usual for the final sprint and see if I could do something this time, and see if I could out sprint some folks this time around, or, as I felt, try to control more of my destiny and put in my own "surprise" move. I felt a little bit like Darth Vader, who, near the end of the Star Wars episode Return Of The Jedi, vacillated between helping/saving his son Luke Skywalker (and acknowledging the good in himself), or maintaining his loyalty to the Emperor, when the Emperor was blasting Luke Skywalker with his electric jolts to bring about his seemingly imminent death.

Approaching turn 3, heading into the wind, there were three riders near me to my left, one just in front of me, one even with me, and one just behind. I oscillated between looking at (or at least thinking about) those to my left and the rider who was about 100 yards up the road.

Coming out of turn 3, everyone went left, and, per usual, looked for shelter from the strong right to left wind. I stayed far right and launched hard and got a gap (see, there is good in me). I caught the other rider midway between turn 4, a chicane, and turn 5. I kept the pedal to the metal. I am still out front coming into the home stretch. I sniff some wheels behind me. I stand to sprint. Just keep cranking I thought, A bit more than about half-way down, maybe 75 yards to the line, I got caught. A few passed me, but, I held off many others. Alas, several of the ones who passed me were in my age group.

It turns out that there were 2 in my age-group in the break!! So, 5th. No regrets. This is a race that gave me increased confidence. I want more!