So by now you know that Hillsboro lived up to promise, both hilly and windy, and a bit cold from the start. All that someone could ask for in a "spring classic."

Despite a sub-par pre-race, which included breaking a waterbottle cage on the cobbles, a cute "neutral lap" around town, and a 30 minute "stand" in the wind of the staging area, I felt optimistic. We had a lot of XXXers in the field, and Luke had been talking about how cool this race was since SLO.

The roll out was leisurely, much slower than at Parkside. But that all changed within 2 miles. Two Mack guys went quickly to the front, clearly planning to push the pace to drop as many folks as possible. The group lined out quickly and between the wind, rollers and pace, the field quickly shrunk.

On the 4/5 forum and various group rides, we had discussed a plan for the race. An early break could never stick, especially with the wind. But the hill in town, along with the cobbles, would provide a clear point to make a move. At least that's how we worked it out in our heads.

But there went the break, 2 guys, and they were pulling away with no signs of weakening. XXX needed presence in that break, so I bridged. But I didn't think I could hang in a 3 person break with 35 miles to go, so I softened the pace when I got to the front and within 3 rotations another 6 riders had bridged up as well. In that group were Bob and Rico, and we now had 1/3 of the break!

We stayed as 9, with quite a hot pace until we turned to face the wind at mile 17. That shrunk the group again, to 6. Wind in the face again at mile 25 reduced us to the final 5 - 2 Vision Quest, one Proctor, one unattached and me.

That's how we stayed all the way back to town, with each of us trying to decide how we'd earn a brick. I had a couple ideas, but didn't think I had the legs to guarantee any would work.

The group started to straggle coming up the feed-hill, and I sensed that we were all pretty whooped. My legs were starting to cramp and I was afraid I'd seize up if I had to stand or sprint, so I positioned myself at 2nd wheel, alert to the VQ move I was sure would come.

It never did, instead, the lead VQ rider pulled off across the cones at the crest of the big hill and there I was in front. Perfect, I safely navigate the sketchy left and pull off at the top of the downhill, ready to cover again. But no one pulls thru. I pull off to the other side, still me up front.

So I decide it's gonna be pace and cobbles that break the group, and I ramp up the tempo. I drop all but one guy, one of the VQ, who has enough left to go by me in the finishing straight.

In hindsight - I sit on front for the last mile+, and I earn a second and a brick. Maybe sitting in for the sprint I could have won, but maybe I'd have cramped or gotten out maneuvered. Who knows.

Either way it was fun, and I look forward to Luke's next heralded race, Baraboo.