Snelling: Christian's Podium Race Report

Who: Christian, Cat 4 rider for 7 years
Where: Snelling, California- Outside of Merced about 2 1/2 hour drive.
When: February 26, 2011
Course: 4 laps @ 12 miles each, Mostly flat with some rollers. Closed course
with both lanes up for grabs. Some gradual sandy corners and some teeth rattling
rough roads, Awesome!
Weather: Super sunny, low 50's, light wind, - Snow/ sleet was predicted.
Result: 3rd out of Aprox. 45. (results not posted yet)

Greetings Coretechs,
I'd been looking forward to the Snelling Road Race as our local criteriums
remind what it's like to drive on the LA freeways with agro drivers fighting for
every inch of free space. I wanted sun, scenery, and some gamesmanship.
Snelling provided.
Drove up with an Alto Velo rider (Holger, a Cat 3 Master's rider) after
realizing no Coretech teammates were registered for the afternoon race. We got
lost driving as the direct rodes to the start are closed, so read the race
flyer next time Christian! When we arrived to the local park to get set up, we
looked out over 1000 racers grouped up in teams talking about how they just
killed it in the mornings race and/or handing out advice for
the afternoon racers. The most common questions overheard were, What should I
wear! When did you flat? What happened to you?......
Background. Snow was predicted with temps in the high 30's. So if snow
never showed, sleet was coming down for our 50 mile race. Andrew texted twice
saying he was snowed in (but a great ski day I'm sure) so I was off alone.
Turns out, the sun stayed out, sunscreen was applied to the face, and away we
went with our very own motorcycle escort through town and for the next 50 miles.
We were a group of around 45 middle aged guys with aprox. 10 Wells Fargo
riders dominating the landscape. No other team had more than 3 riders that I
could see so it looked like it was time to form an alliance. No agreement took
shape then I spotted two strong Cal/Giant riders (strawberry guys.) I tried to
work for them a bit but no breaks got out of sight and with the lack of long
hills, everyone was able to chase. I wished for some organized attacking but to
the groups' defense, it was a gorgeous day for a bike ride.
Final lap, last minute, the mob gets strung out. Finishing straight is on a
short hill. I follow the tallest, skinniest guy (recommended) from 15th placed
wheel to a 3rd place finish passing both strawberry guys.

Received a t-shirt and a slight sunburn. The photo shoes the neon arm warmer
bandit....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennv-photos/5480631911/

Bariani Road Race is coming up team. Lets do this!