The Vernon Hills race was the first road bike race I've ever participated in. I did the Category 5 and Masters 4/5 30+, 40+ races and finished them both. The Cat 5 went off without a hitch. The Masters...not so much. In the Cat 5 race, I managed to stay with the pack and not crash...HOORAY!!! The only real problem I had was starting my sprint to the finish line way way way too soon and blowing up about 200 yds. from the line. I probably lost 5-6 positions because of this. Oh well, live and learn. My final position was 20th.

I'd call the Masters race a success even though I crashed on the final half lap of the race. I still managed to limp to the line and finish the race. The crash was more disappointing than anything since I was so close to the finish and was starting to get hopeful for a decent result. The race fluctuated up and down in speed. Every time I thought I might get dropped, I remembered the advice I received from fellow xXxer...don't get dropped from the pack or your done. So, I managed to hang on. Everything was good until the final lap. I kept anticipating someone would try and break free but even up to the second to the last turn, the lead pack was still together. I figured there was going to be a mad sprint to the end, so I was trying to conserve my energy. We all cruised into the 3rd turn which was rather tight and I held my inside line. I was just starting to power out of the turn when three guys to my left and slightly ahead of me, accelerated harder but drifted towards me. One of them caught my front wheel and for a second or two, I thought I might be able to hold it but then, BOOM, I was on the ground. And, then shortly after, two other guys joined me on the pavement. I asked them if they were alright, which, in their crash daze, they said they were. They looked okay to me. I picked up my poor bike and pedaled to the finish.

Now that I got the crashing thing out of the way, I'm ready for the next race!