Author

Matt Dawley on May 26, 2009

Race name: Super Crit / Baraboo / Snake Alley / Quad Cities Race date: Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Burnham Super Crit: This was my introduction to racing. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, I signed up for 3 races (4/5, 5, 4/5). Since my only goal was to not get dropped, there isn’t much here to report. I didn’t get dropped, but also didn’t play a part in any of the races. With most people starting their sprint way too early, I was able to get my first top ten. I did get to watch a good XXX show from the back of the pack in my last race as Liam did his solo attacking thing and Briney and Moyer took 1-2. Oh, and it was cold.

Baraboo: I was fairly excited for this race. I knew I would struggle with tight criteriums, and thought a road race with hills would suit my abilities much better. I just wanted to stay with the pack up the first hill and then I thought all would be fine. Well, I worked way too hard to stay near the front of the pack. I hung on for about a mile more and then that was it. Off the back. I tried to bridge back by working with a couple other strays, but my legs just weren’t having it. So for about five miles I just rode by myself, trying to not get passed. I eventually did get passed, but John Boggs was in this group and yelled at me to hop on. So I did. We rode together for a while. John tried to organize us, but I got a little excited when it was my turn to go to the front and rode away from the group and on down the hill. They caught up to me at the end of the first lap and we tried again. John tells me to take a 60 second pull and then rotate back. I say ok and then manage to pick up the pace when I pull through and drop John off the back. Not such good teamwork by this guy. By this point, I was warmed up and gradually started picking off riders in front of me. One guy decided to jump on my wheel after I passed and I dragged him the rest of the way. He would try to take pulls, but could only hang on for like ten seconds. So I would pull for 2-3 minutes and he would pull for ten seconds. Didn’t seem fair, but oh well. I beat him to the finish for 27th place. It was a tough race, but a good experience. I’ll do better next year.

Snake Alley: Brutal race. I had a spot on the first line, got a good clip in, and was fifth to the climb. I think I climbed ok, but I can’t say the same for my descending and cornering. I knew that I didn’t need to touch my breaks, but that didn’t stop my nervous hands from grabbing them as I watched more fearless riders pass me. Eventually I settled into my own little position, with no one close in front or behind. I finished in 9th, which I guess is a good effort. But I was frustrated that I let so much time get away from me on the no-effort section of the race.

Quad Cities Criterium: My goal in this race was to be a bit more aggressive. I probably should have also added ‘smart’. I started the race near the front and hung in for a few laps. Then I got a bit antsy and decided to attack and see what happened. I have no idea how far in front I got, but I’m sure no one was really worried about the lunatic burning all his energy up front. Mike Seguin was apparently yelling at me from the sidelines to smarten up and ease up, but I think my oxygen-deprived brain heard ‘Go, go, go!’ Racing awareness is not really a trait I have yet, so when the pack caught up to me, I’m pretty sure I just kept dragging them around. Eventually I realized that this was stupid and sat back. Then with 2 laps left, knowing that in my state I wasn’t going to out sprint anyone, I tried attacking again. Maybe I stayed away for a half lap. Maybe it was just one block. I have no idea. I finished in 14, which was fine. Chris, Ryan, and John finished 2, 4, and 6, so it was a good day for XXX.