Teammate reposted this from last year. Names have been removed to protect the guilty.

" Race 3. Fiasco #2. I got a late start warming up (again). Some idiot in line was purchasing multiple registrations for tomorrow’s race and there was some confusion regarding the riders’ licenses so it was taking forever. Meanwhile a queue of people were backed up waiting to register for a race they had in 30-40 minutes, and the knuckleheads at the desk didn’t have the sense to ask her to wait, despite complaints. When I got back from a 10 minute warm-up I saw a huge queue lined up at the start, thought “oh crap” and rushed to get in the back of the line.

We took off and in less than 1 mile I was dropped badly. Did I say badly??? I mean BADLY. The peloton (everyone) went out of view before I knew it.

I’m thinking “What the hell? I’m stronger than this.”

A couple of miles down the road I apparently missed a turn because I found myself on Lohmnan’s Ford road, over 6 miles into what was supposed to be a 5 mile loop and looking at water. I was way off course. I stopped, took off my numbers, rode back to the start, packed up and went home (tail between legs).

On the way home I figured out what happened. In the rush and excitement at the start I didn’t verify the race and didn’t have the sense to check jersey numbers. I realized that I had probably raced the Cat 3 race which started 5 minutes before the Cat 5 race. Turns out that someone else on the team saw me start and informed me that I had actually started in the Cat1-2 race*.

Over 200 miles of driving to ride 15 miles by myself and a DNF. Priceless. Man, sometimes you gotta be able to laugh at yourself. "

*Note: The majority of the Kelly Benefits team was in this race and just drilled it from the gun; the race starts with a shallow 2 mile climb and our poor Cat5 didn't stand a chance.

I thought it was going to be that his brakes were on, but that's priceless

A race story for the ages.

that's the kind of stuff you just cant make up. and if you did, congratulations it's a great story. did the guy upgrade after that?

you're only allowed to use the brake rub excuse once a season.

I was "this" close to posting it when I saw it. Brilliant, and great humility about the whole thing.

The best part was this year when he said he was planning to do the P12 race again instead of M40+.

I wonder if that counted as a "start" for his cat 4 upgrade

A friend accidentally started in the P12 race instead of cat 3 a year or two ago. He was actually doing pretty well, even got into the break, until he recognized David Clinger's tattooed face from VeloNews and dropped out. Oops.

Edit: What was Fiasco #1?

survey says....

forgotten shoes

Nah, a guy I was mentoring forgot his shoes for his 5th Cat 5 race. He raced in Tevas and got 4th.


Previous race, flatted so bad during warmup that he needed a new tire, got to the line cold.

That's good. Must really need to pick up some observation skills because I don't know about the fields in Texas anymore but around here there is no mistaking a 1/2 field for a cat 5 one.

That was Lago last year? Lolz... and it was stupid cold and miserable windy to boot.

Good Stuff.

That is hysterical. Kudo's for being upfront about it and sharing the joy.

I saw where that was headed lol...

Live and learn.

That's awesome.

I heard the back end of his conversation after he got dropped....something like:

"I look up after the first corner and they have this giant gap. Then they just vanish. I think the turn marshal though I was just warming up I was so far behind so they didn't have me turn..."

We were howling.

He's a great guy and took it all in stride.

Doesn't your chief referee check numbers before the start of the race to avoid situations like this?

Up here, at least one ref goes by and checks everyone's number to make sure: 1) The number is visible; 2) People are in the right race.

Too funny. Great story. Any links to blog or something?

cdr

that's the way the rpt. reads, kudos to him for the good attitude

There's roll call and they check, but they don't secure the rear of the field or anything. He got there late and it's a big race.

gotcha.

The first time I read his email I was laughing so loud my kids came into the office and wanted to hear the story...they didn't get it. I loved his response to the 40+ rollcall this weekend...I can't I'm doing the 1/2 race...

lol!

Made my day.

hehe...love it

(secretly hoping I don't do something like that)