Tom's Knights Ferry RR report: 45+ Cat 4 Field

Where – Knights Ferry Road Race near Oakdale, CA
When – February 4, 2012
Race – 45+ Cat 4
Stats – 54 miles, ~3 hours, 21mph average
Finish – 4th out of 37 racers
I was the only CoreTechs rider in this race

It's 7:15 AM and I load up my great big pickup truck and begin the 2 hour 15 minute drive out to Oakdale. It is 40 degrees out. By the time I drop into the tule fog outside of Manteca, it is 38 degrees out and I'm starting to worry I don't have the proper clothing for this race. I shouldn't have worried. When I arrive, it is an hour before my race and it must be at least 65 degrees – time to break out the summer kit! (Note to self: Do a better job shaving legs if you're gonna ride in shorts.)
It is good to see the racer pals from last year, so after some hellos and good-to-see-ya's, I get registered, suit up and join my friend, Jeff Andruss from MVV, for a short warm-up. Then I head over to the start. After a short briefing from the race referee, we're off.
A short course description: The course is all on one road where we ride out in one direction in the right lane, turn around and ride in the other direction, riding past the finish line but in the reverse direction, then, turn around again and ride back towards the finish line, again, all on the same road. No crossing the center line. Our race is two laps of this course. The road is what you'd expect on country lanes. Also as you might expect, the turnarounds at each end of the course are simply chaos. This is the first time I've ever had to unclip in the middle of a race – just to get around the turnaround safely. It is best to be at the very front of the pack at these turnarounds. Nonetheless, the course is good, the roads are decent and, with the elevation changes, fairly challenging.
I get to the start a little later than I should have so I'm lined up at the back of the pack, but I'm ready and we start at the whistle. The lane is narrow and our large pack makes it difficult to move up to the front of the pack. So, I call on my mountain bike skills and ride up the right edge of the road, past the bulk of the pack. And, by "edge of the road", I mean the gravel, weeds and broken pavement on the edge of the road. It is rough but I get to the front of the pack where I want to be. I wipe my tires and settle in at third wheel.
I feel the pace is way too slow. So, I make a long strong pull at the front and try to shame some of my competitors into helping speed up the race but to no avail. I try again and again but no one wants to work. Well, I'm not gonna pull the whole pack around this course for 54 miles so I settle back behind the front 5 to 10 riders and we trundle along at a conversational pace.
After the first turnaround, a couple of other guys make some attempts at creating a break and I feel this is good news. So, with a gentle tail wind and about 40 miles to go, I make an attack knowing full well at least one of these guys will join me. I sprint to create a gap then put my head down for a long hard pull. As I slow for what I hope will be a good long breakaway, I look back… there is no one there and I'm way out in front. I've unwittingly gapped the whole pack by about 45 seconds and I'm all by myself. Now what?
Prior to the race, Mark Foster offered this advice, "Whatever you do, don't do a solo break!" But, I'm way out in front so I'm thinking that maybe, if I get far enough out, they'll forget about me or they won't be able to organized a chase. Silly me.
I get a big enough gap between me and the pack behind me so I can no longer see them. So, I'm hopeful that my move will net good results However, I've been by myself for a long time and I know I'm weakening. As I'm heading towards the second turnaround, I see teammates Christian, Andrew, Devon and Daryoush heading the other way as they've finished their respective races. Christian gives me an encouraging yell but I can read Andrew's (the "Boss") mind, "What is Tom doing out in front by himself?!" Just before the second turnaround, I look back again and the pack is gaining. At the turnaround I'm only about 30 seconds ahead so I relax, slow down and let them catch me. As they make the catch, with Mark's advice ringing in my ears, MVV Jeff chides me, "Welcome back Tom, did you miss us?"
Some more good natured ribbing and I settle in behind the front 4 or 5 riders for a good long rest. We still have 20 miles to go and I need all the rest I can get if I'm to do anything at the finish. But, the pack is still taking it too easy. A couple of the stronger guys are trying to organize a decent pace line but cooperation is intermittent. After the third turnaround, I go to the front for a fast pull hoping to amp up the pace or at least tenderize the pack somewhat for the final attacks at the hills and the finish.
As we approach the final turnaround there are two fairly challenging hills to get over. A Fightin' Bobas rider makes a hard attack as we start the second climb. It is a good attack but I'm able to match it and I'm right on his wheel. We get a small gap but soon most of the pack is right on our tails and the attack peters out. After the turnaround, I make an attack descending to the flats before the finish. I'm with another rider but he does not have enough strength left to help and I certainly have burned almost all of my matches so again, most of the pack comes back together.
The finish line is at the top of a short 5% grade so I know the sprint is going to be hard. The Fightin' Bobas rider makes a great attack at the base of the climb with about a kilometer to go. I'm a little boxed out to the right so I yell at the rider in front of me, "You gotta go! GO!!" He speeds up and I get around him and give chase. I start my sprint in earnest at about 250 meters (otherwise there is no chance to catch the leader) and I'm in second with a Taleo rider going peddle stroke for peddle stroke with me. It is a hard sprint and my legs are screaming! We get passed by two others but I hold off the Taleo rider for 4th!
It was a great day for me and I've had fun. I get a prize, a huge confidence boost and I've relearned a few lessons which will certainly pay off as the season progresses. I am looking forward to the season!
Thanks for reading.

Tom Rice
Bike Racer
CoreTechs Cycling Team