Caleb Pike Race Report
Moderator: mfarnham
Caleb Pike Race Report
Well???? Gavin did great and Josh kicked ass in his first race..... Where are the journos?
I'm a terrible writer, but I'll see what I can do.
The day started off poorly with my GPS falling off it's mount when crossing the trestle over the gorge. It bounced a couple times and fell over the edge. GPS gone. Ouch.
Josh (first race - future tripleshotter) Gavin & I were in attendance was well as about 20 others Bs & two women. (Only 5 As)
Josh got a flat 30 meters before we got to sign on. After signing on he fixed it, only to have it go flat again. Tear in the side wall. He fixed it with a power bar wrapper and managed to jump in by lap #2.
It was hot, really hot. 35°C or so. It was too hard to put in much effort without dying of heat stroke, so the race wasn't too fast and stayed together for most of the race. Josh & I tried to get away but it didn't work.
Highlights of the race were a white van sideways in the road at the bottom of the hill, a whippet off leash that wanted to join the race and a few deer. Andy still hasn't bought new shorts.
The sprint was a gong show as usual, Gavin did well finishing 5th. Josh got boxed in and finished 7th and I got shoved into the dirt and finished 17th, cyclocross style. Now I have a bent spoke.
Did I mention it was really hot?
The next 4 TTs are for VCL points. Hope to see some more argyle out there.
PS: Peter, not sure if you have access to your email. If not, buy this when you get back: http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/9715412
The day started off poorly with my GPS falling off it's mount when crossing the trestle over the gorge. It bounced a couple times and fell over the edge. GPS gone. Ouch.
Josh (first race - future tripleshotter) Gavin & I were in attendance was well as about 20 others Bs & two women. (Only 5 As)
Josh got a flat 30 meters before we got to sign on. After signing on he fixed it, only to have it go flat again. Tear in the side wall. He fixed it with a power bar wrapper and managed to jump in by lap #2.
It was hot, really hot. 35°C or so. It was too hard to put in much effort without dying of heat stroke, so the race wasn't too fast and stayed together for most of the race. Josh & I tried to get away but it didn't work.
Highlights of the race were a white van sideways in the road at the bottom of the hill, a whippet off leash that wanted to join the race and a few deer. Andy still hasn't bought new shorts.
The sprint was a gong show as usual, Gavin did well finishing 5th. Josh got boxed in and finished 7th and I got shoved into the dirt and finished 17th, cyclocross style. Now I have a bent spoke.
Did I mention it was really hot?
The next 4 TTs are for VCL points. Hope to see some more argyle out there.
PS: Peter, not sure if you have access to your email. If not, buy this when you get back: http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/9715412
Yes, it was definitely stupid hot! It was like trying to race in sauna - very uncomfortable!
I tried to pull and lead a few laps near the beginning, but it was too hot and it was sapping all my energy. Plus I was just getting sick of the yappy chihuahua (Casey) - all talk and no pull.
As Roland mentioned - lot's of bizarre incidents - I actually almost slammed into the side of the van as I was on the front at the time. I think was the only person to even attempt to navigate around and I just made it through the opening by inches.
As usual, I also tried to lead out the final half lap - which seemed to work in stringing out the field a little bit. I seemed to carry a lot more speed up the finish hill this time as I didn't get swarmed as badly as I usually do - so I managed 5th (I got pipped in the final metre but two people - crap).
Josh had a great race and was right there at the finish as well - and as Roland mentioned, he got screwed by usual Caleb-finish-chaos.
All in all - hot, too damn hot. The ride home was a world of suffering!
I tried to pull and lead a few laps near the beginning, but it was too hot and it was sapping all my energy. Plus I was just getting sick of the yappy chihuahua (Casey) - all talk and no pull.
As Roland mentioned - lot's of bizarre incidents - I actually almost slammed into the side of the van as I was on the front at the time. I think was the only person to even attempt to navigate around and I just made it through the opening by inches.
As usual, I also tried to lead out the final half lap - which seemed to work in stringing out the field a little bit. I seemed to carry a lot more speed up the finish hill this time as I didn't get swarmed as badly as I usually do - so I managed 5th (I got pipped in the final metre but two people - crap).
Josh had a great race and was right there at the finish as well - and as Roland mentioned, he got screwed by usual Caleb-finish-chaos.
All in all - hot, too damn hot. The ride home was a world of suffering!
@#$& this 'work' stuff, I think I'll just go pro...