Cherry Roubaix 2012-Race Details

So Daemian and I were sticking to the plan of "stay near the front, see what happens, and go on the Narlock Rd. climb, second lap." So we just sat in and tried to conserve energy. Not atypical in road racing the pace would be slow and bunched up and the next minute faster and strung out. Nothing significant happened the first half lap, I noticed there was a decent crosswind on the long straight section of French Rd and tried to work my way to the left side of the two wide pace line to stay out of the wind. A few people tried some moves, but didn't get too far and the pace up climbs was a tolerable steady quick effort.

We completed the first lap and the field had slimmed down ever so slightly, but there were still lots of people around. This makes me antsy and I had to be patient to wait for the climb. This time the French Road section had significant crosswind and the field was single fine on the yellow line, moving at a decent pace as I held my position around 10-15 guys back. We could see two other race groups in front of us, just a ways off. As the smaller hills began again the intensity quickened slightly, but would again drop off on the flats/downhills and I continued to be patient.

By the time we turned on Gatzke road it was apparent we were going to catch the Cat 3s (who had  to ride 3 laps vs. our 2). I was a bit worried the officials would take their time in letting us pass and we would get to the climbs with a larger group, thus making my plan of attack less effective. But we passed the first group without incident before getting to the Narlock climb.

 As we rolled onto the climb I was about 10 men back and ticked up the intensity and rode to the front, where another rider was also making a move. Several guys responded, but at the top when the group's pace dropped off a bit I pushed on to try and string out the field. One guy went with me and we had a gap going into the second part of the climb. We turned onto Lime Lake Road and I went into TT mode and just tried to keep the pressure on. A couple more guys bridged up, but the group didn't really have the cohesiveness/drive/legs to open the gap up more and the gap between the chase slowly closed as I eased up to re-mount the attack on the last climb. I'm guessing there were about 20 riders in the main field at this point.

We turned onto Mountain Road for the final climb and I put the pressure back on, but this time no one went with me. It's hard to judge distance looking over your shoulder in an oxygen deprived state, but I'm guessing I had a 60-80m gap. I kept looking back, expecting to see them closing, but the gap stayed the same. I crested the hill, looked back again and went into red line freight train TT mode for the final 4ish K to the finish. It was almost frantic excitement to look back and see a group trying to chase me down. Another new sensation for me in bike racing. It was the energy and tension of watching cycling on TV and hoping the break makes it. But this time I was in the race, granted going like half the speed of the pro guys. The gap was closing, not quickly, but it wasn't a win yet by any shot.

I rounded the last corner, still very worried they were going to come flying past me. What I guess was less than 100m out I looked back and there were two guys rounding the corner in sprint mode. I attempted to stand up and give it a sprint, but that wasn't going to happen and I looked up and realized the finish line was right there and they weren't going to catch me. What an amazing feeling as I rolled across the line having a successful "you vs. many" breakaway.
 

The Finish Line.

So I was exhilarated and exhausted at the same time. I did a bit of a cool down and made my way back to the car. Daemian rolled up, and was pumped to hear I got the W. He said the longer climbs sapped him on the second lap. So it was time to hang out for the awards and watch the other races finish. I had a few quick conversations with some other guys in my category. It seems I had the element of surprise and no one knew who I was or where I was from (not surprising as I've been able to do two races a year). I assume that's why they didn't cover my pop off the front, as they all seem to know each other and their capabilities. So there goes my advantage of obscurity. Here is the link to the complete results.

They had the awards ceremony and I got my state champion jersey and medal and of most significance, a check for 200 bucks! First time I've ever won any money for an athletic event! This bike racing is really on to something. That will go into my PowerTap purchase fund. To cap off an amazing day we stopped by Don's Drive In for some greasy burgers and shakes. We then blared an eclectic variety of Hair Metal and 80s Pop as well as some Beastie Boys to ward off the food coma for the drive home. Now I'm looking forward to my triathlon return in Charlevoix this upcoming weekend. I guess I better go swim.

Cherry Roubaix Road Race

    Well it's been a while since I've posted something. Guess I could say I've been busy with work and getting my Trail Mix business going, which would be the truth. In July I also went on two week long camping trips as a supervisor for the Camp Daggett Wilderness Adventure. While backpacking trips to North Manitiou and Pictured Rocks are sweet, it presents a problem in riding my bike. Thus my July miles were pretty slacking.

Views like this or ride my bike? It's a toss up.

     So the time comes for Cherry Roubaix, which served as the Michigan State Road Race Championship. The course is a fun one, with several climbs over the 15 mile and change loop. This being my first Cat 4 race, I was excited to race around "less sketchy" people; however there were still 60+ in my race. This made for some nervous situations as I attempted to stay in the front part of the race. The weather was great, right near 70, partly cloudy but with a very noticable wind.

    The first lap was mostly uneventful as I was stuck in the middle half of the field. A few people tried breaks, but were reeled back in rather quickly. I just sat in and waited to see how it panned out. Second lap was more of the same, with some good efforts up the hills and then lallygagging around. The field wasn't breaking up and it was apparent everyone waits around for the sprint in Cat 4 as well. On the third lap I decided I would try to get a break up the climb by Sugarloaf. After all with a field that big, there would be SOMEONE that would want to go with me. As we turned left I put in a solid effort to get to the front and catch up to one guy that had gaped a bit. As I went by him I said, "let's go." After a few seconds I looked back and he had sat up to let the field catch him. I decided to push on solo and made it up the climb with a few hundred meter gap. The gap grew for a bit, then they pulled me back in about 2-3 miles later.

    After that the field was soft pedaling. I sat in, near the front for a while to recover and a guy went off the front during a section of rollers, but was chased down. As it was apparent everyone wanted a sprint finish, I was thinking "screw that" and decided my best option was to just keep trying to ride off the front and maybe get someone to work with, despite there being only 5 or so miles to go. A couple times I gaped, but no one went with me and then I was reeled in. The last 3 or so miles were downhill with a tailwind and I was on the front hammering. At one point I gaped the field, but had to sit up as there were slow cars ahead (not that I think it would have affected the result)
    I was on the front until the last left turn, which left about 300m to the finish. I was pretty spent and wasn't about to contend a sprint finish. Besides the fact that my sprinting abilities are nothing to brag about, they also make me nervous in a field that big. So as everyone pulled around me on the final turn, I sat up and pedaled in, finishing somewhere in 25th ish place (I have yet to see the full results). Not what I was hoping for, but looking back, I doubt  anything I could have significantly changed. 

    Doing this race just reassured my my slight ill feelings toward road racing. Don't get me wrong, they're fun; but I hate the BSing around and everyone being pu**ies and waiting for the sprint. Sorry if that offends you, but that's how I feel. To me it feels like a "less glorious" win. A feeling that I can only compare to Pre and Bowerman and the "front running" debate in "Without Limits". Or the classic "getting High Schooled". What it means that I either need to get a team or other people I know to work with; or just work on my Sparticus TT abilaties and be able to ride away from the field. Just more learning experiences for next year I guess.

    On another note it was cool to see Dave Ide (a 55+ Master's stud, who puts the hurt on me on the Tuesday "Fast Guys" ride) sprint for the W. It was also cool to see my lil sis Mara (more commonly known as Road Weasel) do her first road race. Although it wasn't a super enjoyable experience for her as she rode solo for most of the race, if she keeps riding she'll be able to hang in there. It was also fun to have Daemian, Ben D. Ben P. and James participate as well. (Yes that's 3 Bens if you were counting)

The Road Weasel cranks to the finish

   My plan now is to take a week or two off, to let me knee healing catch up as that is still bothering me somewhat. Then I'll hit the MTB training and hopefully get a cross bike and get some experience in that this September. We'll just have to see.