45+ 1/2/3 CCCX Report-March 4th 2012

This is two reports in one. Devon's Race report followed by Andrew's version: Devon Joos Race Report from CCCX 45+ 1/2/3 Sent: Monday, March 05, 2012 4:03 PM Subject: [coretechscycling] Race report 45+ cat 1234. CCCX Monterey. Andrew blocked for me. Got 2nd Andrew's Version: Devon, being a man of few words, can write a report like this. Me, being a man of many words, often to complete dismay of those around me, can not let a report like this go without further comment. Thus, comment I shall! My wife, Wendy, decided to take a "girls trip" to Vegas. Of course, not sure why it was with a guy named Rahul, but I digress. What the trip did was leave in my responsible hands my three kids. A seven year old and twin five year olds. I figured what better way to entertain them then taking them to beautiful Monterey, CA to watch bikes go in circles, which of course prompted my five year old boy to ask; "Daddy, why do bike riders like riding in circles?" (this is true by the way). It was a hard one to answer too! Race starts and I know going in I have no sprint. Did a number on a rib of mine three weeks back while sledding and it still does not like it when I violently shake my handlebars. So, knowing this I thought I would try to get in a break. Three minutes into the race one guy goes. I bridge up. Then one other joins us. We have three now, but I don’t know these guys. Not sure what they have. Turns out one of them (alto velo dude) had no clue what he was doing. Kept letting gaps go and then would pull through at a snails pace. We lasted a full lap, but then the pack was back in sight. I did not think this was a good break. A minute later, Clark Foy(SJBC) came riding up to the three of us and went right to the front with a "let's go". I had already given up on these other two guys and did not think Clark was a TT guy, thus not a great guy to be with alone. Of course, he climbs OLH in 16:11, but I thought this was not a climbers course and the wind would not serve him. I let him go and slipped back to the pack. Clark rode on alone. Come on, one guy with four laps to go (20 miles) on a windy course. Silly really. Another break goes a lap later. I bridge up. Nothing; caught again. Another break of three goes. This one looks promising. Devon is at the front and I am on his wheel with the pack behind us. I yell to Devon to "go". He does. He bridges the gap and is on the break. I have a twinge of regret as I think that break will stick. Well, that is bike racing and I have a teammate to help. I ride at the front of the pack and keep the pace steady, but keep an eye on the four in the break and watch as they get incrementally further away. Steve Heaton (winner of the 35+ 1/2/3 race) goes to the front and tries to pull the break back. I sit on his wheel. He goes for at least a 1/4 lap and gives the elbow. No dice, I don’t come around. He sits up and we all slow down. Final downhill and I don’t have a great position. I am second wheel going over the top of the last hill and into the final downhill. I figure the guy in front will fade or move over and that leaves me in a poor position. Well, he did, it was and the peloton (down to about 8 or 9 guys) breaks to the right side. I go around on the left, catch back on and ride to the finish. By this point I am sitting fourth/fifth in the pack and that is where I roll across the line for 8th or 9th place. Clark (SJBC) by the way? He soloed the entire race and won. Man…if only I had just sat on his wheel. Well, if, if, if. Next race I will know about him! Give that guy some credit though. That is very impressive! Fun race, good to offer what help I could. Devon has an amazing sprint, just sorry I could not been in the break with him to watch it. He easily out sprinted his break mates and took home a solid Second Place! I would call that a good day at CCCX for the CoreTechs boys. Andrew