:I don't (can't) write a detailed race report and i'm sure someone will write a report and post the stats. But do want to give a pat on the back for the first timers, Jen, Mike and Steve who all did well. Rode out raced and then rode home. And another pat on the back to Jeremy and Sarah (who rode out and back) and all the other Tripleshot nuts that dragged their familys out to give support (or to have a laugh at our expense). For all you other team members, if you have the time and would like to give it a shot but are not coming out to the race because you think your not fit enough,ask todays first timers, anyone who rides on the Tuesday/ Friday rides can do this, yes it's hard but it's short, fun and now that we have so many "A"s we need more "B"s.
Don't be shy!
From Steve:
I agree Dave, I had a great time and I think anyone could come out and give the races a go....
Thanks to everyone who came out and supported us, particularly Jeremy who told me the sweet lie "Looking good Steve" every lap when I was climbing!
and Bill:
Great Job all!!!!!!
Thanks to Dave for helping Sarah. Now you have raised the bar. Now I am not sure if I like you anymore. Couldn't leave well enough alone, eh?!
Now remember if you race there is a sweet deal for a Mavic Carbonne SSC....
Me:
So many Easter bunnies on course that they had trouble scoring us! We confused things a little by entering both groups.
I think it was Bill (maybe Roland) who remarked that the A race seemed smoother than the B races did. No dramatic speed changes, just a steady pace up and down the hill. I didn't have the confidence to look around much - just stayed on the wheel of whoever was closest and concentrated on recovery during the down hills and flats - Newton Heights really a two part lap. Climb, recover, repeat 15 times (12 times for the B group). The only way I knew who (in TS) was nearby was by listening to the encouraging words from Sarah et al. "Good going Bill, Roland, John, etc." As the race progressed the list of names slowly changed so in the end I knew Bill and I were left in the "chase" group. Roland was there most of the race, but got a flat with about three to go. Peter was there too and dropped back somewhere around lap 11 of the 15 lap race. Gavin joined the A group too - didn't look too happy about that at the end!
I put chase in quotations because we weren't really chasing - just trying to stay with the pack that was behind a few break away riders. Bill made a fantastic attempt to stay with Bob Cameron during the final sprint and ended up 5th, right behind Bob. I knew that if I'd tried to stay on their wheels I might never have made it to the line. Being a wimp worked because they did demolish one guy that I was then able to pass for 7th. Peter got tenth, a second or two out of 9th. He sprinted hard and that is an accomplishment after 15 laps of Newton. I think it was Steve Munro who just beat him to the line. Those two were running at the same speed as the rest of us about 50 seconds back. Roland re-entered the race and was just out of the top-ten.
Someone else can tell us what happened in the B race. The A's never caught the lead B's, so it must have been fast.
We're in the game in the A's and that's encouraging. And, more and more Triple Shot people are racing for the first time. That's amazing.
JT
