That was fast...

Well, first road cycling event of the season is in the bag. Arriving in Lawrence KS, we were greeted with a temp of 66 and a possibility of some precipitation. The winds were out of the southwest at 12 mph with gusts of 24.

The race started like any other race, the cat 4 field was the largest of the day with 52 people starting. After the officials briefing we were off for 22 .84 mile laps, and it was fast. From the start we had a slight incline from the start for about 50 yds into a headwind, at which point we turned left for another 50 yds. with a cross tailwind. Then it was another left turn with a modest tail wind for 100 yds where we then turned left for 50 yds into a nasty cross headwind. Then it was another left turn for the stretch to the start finish line. Repeat.

That was a brief description of the course. It was fun. From the get go were were riding at 24 mph average for each lap. The teams there were many and each one had numerous members. Attacks were being shutdown before they ever happened. At any point in the race, people were yelling, "Attack left/right" at which point the speeds went up and the attacks never happened. There were many sketchy moments in the race where we were expecting someone to crash big in the turn. Too many people were cutting into others lines as well as not keeping their own lines. Very hairy at times and it can mess with your head.

I stayed in the top fourth of the pack the entire race. This makes me very happy, especially since I am just coming off my base phase of my training and should be starting the build phase this coming week. I'm thinking now that my goals for this season will be within my grasp. My fellow teammates did a fantastic job as well. Dan Ertz, and Vaughn Pierce finished in the top 5 and Dan Spray finished in the top 10, as for myself I finished in the top 20. Joe Savoie gave a great effort in both the Masters and 3/4 race. Craig Harding also did a fantastic job in the Masters and cat 5 race.

Tomorrow is the dam race, which I am thinking of doing 2 races but that is not a definite yet. I'm going to shower now and get some sleep. Sure sucks that the clocks are changing this weekend. At least it's supposed to be in the upper 50's tomorrow.