Newton Height Race Report 29/4
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:41 pm
The convoy from the swing bridge to Newton Heights included Peter, Roland, Gavin, Dave (Scott not Specialized), Joe and Kim, and Litespeed-Norm. Yup, another first timer. Peter’s enthusiasm for racing is clearly infectious. Don’t stand too close.
Brian rode out to the meeting place to offer support. Bill, out on a secret training ride, waved his support from the other side of Interurban. Bill, secret training on race day doesn’t make sense – the idea is to get fast when no one is looking and then surprise everyone at the race. Upon arrival Peter signed himself in and then he signed Kim in too. I still can’t believe that worked (she had planned to watch, not race). The great weather drew a crowd – must have been almost 30 B riders. Lionel was there too and so was Bruce (he raced with the A’s).
Off we went: Eleven laps for the B’s, 14 for the A group. After only a few tours of the approx. 2 km course, the lead A’s lapped us – a clear demonstration that the A’s (at least the top 5) are a different species – three mornings a week and a Sunday jaunt to Islandview ain’t going to get any of us into that group …….. ever. Hmmmm. That’s what Bill was up to!
There were a few minor incidents. I saw two people clip out. One went down but she shouted that she was OK. The other had a tank-slapper but saved it. Roland, Joe, Gavin, Lionel and I were near the front for most of the race. Bruce was dropped by the very best A’s, but passed us and, in a display of courage, became a carrot for the lead B’s to chase. It couldn’t have been fun riding alone trying to catch the leaders, hoping to stay ahead of the rest of the chasers, but having the damn B group harassing you from behind.
The B’s slowly disintegrated (the group, not the individuals). That’s what Newton Heights does. Norm and Dave stayed on the lead lap and Gavin, who revealed before the race that he is the biggest of the big guys on the team, held on to the lead group almost to the end. Very impressive – Newton Heights tends to favour the svelt guys, wouldn’t you say Peter? …… the guys who get blown away by the wind …… Mr. lap-down. Oh, forgive me. Seems I'm a little sensitive. Back to the race:
There were about ten of us still in it at the end (didn’t know this at the time, but I got a sneak peak at the photos after the race). A third of the way around that last lap Roland initiated a screaming lead out with me right behind. As we hit the climb for the last time Roland handed over the lead and shouted encouragement. As second wheel, I didn't have any idea who was back there. There were lots of them, and most went by on the final ascent. Fortunately, ‘they’ included Joe, who got 6th, a fraction of an inch behind Casey Rider in 5th. I ended up 7th. Good going Joe.
I am afraid I have no idea how the woman’s race went. However, there were more double X’s there this evening than I’ve ever seen before. Kim was in very good company.
JT
Brian rode out to the meeting place to offer support. Bill, out on a secret training ride, waved his support from the other side of Interurban. Bill, secret training on race day doesn’t make sense – the idea is to get fast when no one is looking and then surprise everyone at the race. Upon arrival Peter signed himself in and then he signed Kim in too. I still can’t believe that worked (she had planned to watch, not race). The great weather drew a crowd – must have been almost 30 B riders. Lionel was there too and so was Bruce (he raced with the A’s).
Off we went: Eleven laps for the B’s, 14 for the A group. After only a few tours of the approx. 2 km course, the lead A’s lapped us – a clear demonstration that the A’s (at least the top 5) are a different species – three mornings a week and a Sunday jaunt to Islandview ain’t going to get any of us into that group …….. ever. Hmmmm. That’s what Bill was up to!
There were a few minor incidents. I saw two people clip out. One went down but she shouted that she was OK. The other had a tank-slapper but saved it. Roland, Joe, Gavin, Lionel and I were near the front for most of the race. Bruce was dropped by the very best A’s, but passed us and, in a display of courage, became a carrot for the lead B’s to chase. It couldn’t have been fun riding alone trying to catch the leaders, hoping to stay ahead of the rest of the chasers, but having the damn B group harassing you from behind.
The B’s slowly disintegrated (the group, not the individuals). That’s what Newton Heights does. Norm and Dave stayed on the lead lap and Gavin, who revealed before the race that he is the biggest of the big guys on the team, held on to the lead group almost to the end. Very impressive – Newton Heights tends to favour the svelt guys, wouldn’t you say Peter? …… the guys who get blown away by the wind …… Mr. lap-down. Oh, forgive me. Seems I'm a little sensitive. Back to the race:
There were about ten of us still in it at the end (didn’t know this at the time, but I got a sneak peak at the photos after the race). A third of the way around that last lap Roland initiated a screaming lead out with me right behind. As we hit the climb for the last time Roland handed over the lead and shouted encouragement. As second wheel, I didn't have any idea who was back there. There were lots of them, and most went by on the final ascent. Fortunately, ‘they’ included Joe, who got 6th, a fraction of an inch behind Casey Rider in 5th. I ended up 7th. Good going Joe.
I am afraid I have no idea how the woman’s race went. However, there were more double X’s there this evening than I’ve ever seen before. Kim was in very good company.
JT