Caleb Pike #1
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2013 5:29 pm
The first VCL race was fun and miserable at the same time. I can sum it up with one comment - I washed my bike helmet when I got home. I don't think I've ever taken the time to do that before. 30 people signed up for the B race including a bunch from Triple Shot. I will probably miss a name or two (sorry), but among the TS entries were Brenna and Jim Pauly, Mike Dawson, Steve Lund, Ritchie, Lister and David. Al came out to offer support and there were numerous brothers-in-another-kit racers (e.g., Andrew, Roland, Kevin etc.). 16 laps for the A's (I'd guess about 14 A's in the race) and 12 laps for the B's (though I think we did more). I wasn't there when they called out the C race distance.
There were numerous incidents, though none affected our race significantly. We heard sirens but never saw the firetruck, there were several deer, but all moved off the road in time and there was an A race accident that had been cleared before we arrived on scene.
At the start Kelly from IRC picked up the pace (lots of IRC racers by the way). Not exactly an attack, but more than most would have wanted so soon. Steve and Brenna and I joined him and we did a pace-line for the length of the back straight. That, I think, had a chance, but Kelly seemed less inclined to pursue it when he realized he had three TSers with him. From there on, and from my perspective, it was a fairly fast steady pace for the entire race. Most of the pack stayed together until the end. We had a few lead A's pass us one at a time, and then with 2 laps to go, the rest (about 10 of them) went by. As often happens, they slowed to our speed about 20 m up the road. I had thought of attacking prior to their arrival and I think that would have worked because they held up the group a little (so much for good intentions). In the end, their presence helped me, but most credit goes to Ritchie. On the bell lap we, caught the A's. We did it on the run into the right hand turn at the end of the back straight. They kept right but the pass required B's to use the fairly limited line between A's on the right and center line (plus orange cones) on the left. Here is where things went well for me. Ritchie, despite being concerned about his first B race at the beginning, was strong and hammered along the run to the steep drop before the climb sprint. I was on his wheel. This effort took both of us from about 10 spots back right to the front and well clear of A's. The Ritchie bullet train slowed just a bit at the top of the hill and a couple of others who had also driven hard to the front went by. I was able to get on their wheels for the decent. Even though the drop provides enough draft for lots of people to end up at the foot of the climb together, when you are near the front of that sprinting pack, you are more likely to find a way through. Doug Doyle and I ended up sprinting for the line. Another 15 m and I might have got him. It was lots of fun having Lister, Steve, Ritchie and Mike D among the lead ten for most of the race. No team tactics came in to play, but having company still makes the race easier some how. Mike, I believe was 3rd, so two TS racers in the top 3. Not a bad start. I think Steve was within the top six and I wouldn't be surprised to see Ritchie and Lister in the top 10 - depends on what they faced in that sprint - they were there, but one slowing rider in front can put you 10 positions back.
Ride home was wet, cold and very dirty. Thanks to O2 for organizing - I thought they did a great job. In particular, they placed cones well for that final sprint discouraging the descend left-squeeze right before the first cone, tactic, that can be a problem at CP. Thanks to Brad (Zed) for building wheels for me the day before the race.
JT
There were numerous incidents, though none affected our race significantly. We heard sirens but never saw the firetruck, there were several deer, but all moved off the road in time and there was an A race accident that had been cleared before we arrived on scene.
At the start Kelly from IRC picked up the pace (lots of IRC racers by the way). Not exactly an attack, but more than most would have wanted so soon. Steve and Brenna and I joined him and we did a pace-line for the length of the back straight. That, I think, had a chance, but Kelly seemed less inclined to pursue it when he realized he had three TSers with him. From there on, and from my perspective, it was a fairly fast steady pace for the entire race. Most of the pack stayed together until the end. We had a few lead A's pass us one at a time, and then with 2 laps to go, the rest (about 10 of them) went by. As often happens, they slowed to our speed about 20 m up the road. I had thought of attacking prior to their arrival and I think that would have worked because they held up the group a little (so much for good intentions). In the end, their presence helped me, but most credit goes to Ritchie. On the bell lap we, caught the A's. We did it on the run into the right hand turn at the end of the back straight. They kept right but the pass required B's to use the fairly limited line between A's on the right and center line (plus orange cones) on the left. Here is where things went well for me. Ritchie, despite being concerned about his first B race at the beginning, was strong and hammered along the run to the steep drop before the climb sprint. I was on his wheel. This effort took both of us from about 10 spots back right to the front and well clear of A's. The Ritchie bullet train slowed just a bit at the top of the hill and a couple of others who had also driven hard to the front went by. I was able to get on their wheels for the decent. Even though the drop provides enough draft for lots of people to end up at the foot of the climb together, when you are near the front of that sprinting pack, you are more likely to find a way through. Doug Doyle and I ended up sprinting for the line. Another 15 m and I might have got him. It was lots of fun having Lister, Steve, Ritchie and Mike D among the lead ten for most of the race. No team tactics came in to play, but having company still makes the race easier some how. Mike, I believe was 3rd, so two TS racers in the top 3. Not a bad start. I think Steve was within the top six and I wouldn't be surprised to see Ritchie and Lister in the top 10 - depends on what they faced in that sprint - they were there, but one slowing rider in front can put you 10 positions back.
Ride home was wet, cold and very dirty. Thanks to O2 for organizing - I thought they did a great job. In particular, they placed cones well for that final sprint discouraging the descend left-squeeze right before the first cone, tactic, that can be a problem at CP. Thanks to Brad (Zed) for building wheels for me the day before the race.
JT
