Regalado Race Report...they all can't be golden
Regalado Road Race (54 miles - 3 laps)
CoreTechs Team: Jerome, Daryoush, Tom and myself-Andrew (Mike McLaughlin also raced in another cat)
Cat 45+ 1/2/3 (35 riders)
I am getting tired of writing reports with reasons for shitty results. It seems though, that I am in a period of having to do this for my recent escapades. As I tell my kids constantly..., "life is not fair, so the sooner you realize that and get the odds in your favor, the better you will do." I need to listen to myself once in a while. I sure "talk" a good game.
Daryoush and I met at 5:45am and headed out for our two hour commute. We met up with Tom and Jerome. I figured this was a strong foursome, possibly the strongest team in the race and that we would get some results. The race had 35 entered, many DGR's but no mutants! Thirsty Bear had six guys, Folsom had four and then a few independent strongmen (Don Langley-Specialized, Hunter-Hammer and Chris Courtney-SJBC). I was sure would do well.
The course is an unusual one. It has the usual rollers and small hills, but it also has a 1+ mile section of dirt road. Last year during this race it was mud and standing water. This year it was dry, but had a four inch top layer of loose dirt/gravel. I pick the mud next time! The dirt section was crazy. Bikes were sliding all over the place. The dirt mile had me unnerved. There was no traction and I found myself drifting straight when I should have turned a few times. After surviving the first go round, I got word that Daryoush was a victim of the dirt and had flatted. Not too much after D flatted then Jerome flatted. We were down to Tom and I. Each time we approached this dirt section (we did it three times), I felt my heart rate ratchet up. I could not get the hang of it and was letting gaps go constantly. Luckily I was then able to power back on once the road straitened. Word to the wise, don’t be on my wheel in loose dirt and gravel, not my thing!
There was one significant break that went on lap two of Hunter and a Thirsty Bear rider. The TB team blocked and mucked up the chase till the twosome were out of site. The race seemed destined for a pack finish to fight for third place. That was until Tom put on his cape and went to the front. He was not having it and decided he would bring the break back himself. He crushed it for half a lap, then disappeared from the front. A few guys rotated, but then, out of the corner of my eye, the cape comes flying back to the front. Tom had recovered and again drilled it! We were now within site of the escapees and were able to close down the break. This was groupo compacto, thanks 95% to Tom. With the group together again we took our final time through the dirt. Surviving and coming out the other side I became a bit giddy. I felt fresh as a daisy and had survived the dirt. I knew I owed Tom for the pull back and wanted to perform in the sprint as repayment.
Final half mile and Thirsty Bear went to the front in a lead out. I had a full matchbook left and knew I could do well (at least a 4th place :). As we hit 200 to go sign, someone in front blows up and stops pedaling. We are going about 25mph. Everyone slightly eases except it seems the guy directly behind me. I stand to sprint with a clear road ahead of me and good thoughts in my head. It was then that what feels like a giant hand grabs my rear wheel and pulls my bike violently to the left. I could hear pinging of broken spokes and the pressure on my rear wheel is huge trying to push me over. I focus straight ahead so as not to go down and struggle to stay upright. Then, the pressure is gone and a sickening sound of crushed bike and rider is in my ears. My sprint is over and the pack of riders has gotten around. I look back and see a rider in the fetal position in the middle of the road. The motto ref is stopped with him, so I ride it through the finish line. It is a shitty way to finish off a bike race.
Frustrating to drive so far and ride so long and finish with a full matchbook. I am hopeful the fallen rider is not to bad off and am thankful I stayed upright, but darn it, would have been nice to at least use a match. Tom did a yeoman's effort and rode fantastic. I give him rider of the day. If someone other than a Thirsty Bear rider won, they should send Tom a thank you note.
I on the other hand need to finish writing these shitty reports. Seems Daryoush, Jerome and I will have to take some aggression out at Top Sport (April 6/7 people, get this on your calendar!).
Regalado Road Race (54 miles - 3 laps)
CoreTechs Team: Jerome, Daryoush, Tom and myself-Andrew (Mike McLaughlin also raced in another cat)
Cat 45+ 1/2/3 (35 riders)
I am getting tired of writing reports with reasons for shitty results. It seems though, that I am in a period of having to do this for my recent escapades. As I tell my kids constantly..., "life is not fair, so the sooner you realize that and get the odds in your favor, the better you will do." I need to listen to myself once in a while. I sure "talk" a good game.
Daryoush and I met at 5:45am and headed out for our two hour commute. We met up with Tom and Jerome. I figured this was a strong foursome, possibly the strongest team in the race and that we would get some results. The race had 35 entered, many DGR's but no mutants! Thirsty Bear had six guys, Folsom had four and then a few independent strongmen (Don Langley-Specialized, Hunter-Hammer and Chris Courtney-SJBC). I was sure would do well.
The course is an unusual one. It has the usual rollers and small hills, but it also has a 1+ mile section of dirt road. Last year during this race it was mud and standing water. This year it was dry, but had a four inch top layer of loose dirt/gravel. I pick the mud next time! The dirt section was crazy. Bikes were sliding all over the place. The dirt mile had me unnerved. There was no traction and I found myself drifting straight when I should have turned a few times. After surviving the first go round, I got word that Daryoush was a victim of the dirt and had flatted. Not too much after D flatted then Jerome flatted. We were down to Tom and I. Each time we approached this dirt section (we did it three times), I felt my heart rate ratchet up. I could not get the hang of it and was letting gaps go constantly. Luckily I was then able to power back on once the road straitened. Word to the wise, don’t be on my wheel in loose dirt and gravel, not my thing!
There was one significant break that went on lap two of Hunter and a Thirsty Bear rider. The TB team blocked and mucked up the chase till the twosome were out of site. The race seemed destined for a pack finish to fight for third place. That was until Tom put on his cape and went to the front. He was not having it and decided he would bring the break back himself. He crushed it for half a lap, then disappeared from the front. A few guys rotated, but then, out of the corner of my eye, the cape comes flying back to the front. Tom had recovered and again drilled it! We were now within site of the escapees and were able to close down the break. This was groupo compacto, thanks 95% to Tom. With the group together again we took our final time through the dirt. Surviving and coming out the other side I became a bit giddy. I felt fresh as a daisy and had survived the dirt. I knew I owed Tom for the pull back and wanted to perform in the sprint as repayment.
Final half mile and Thirsty Bear went to the front in a lead out. I had a full matchbook left and knew I could do well (at least a 4th place :). As we hit 200 to go sign, someone in front blows up and stops pedaling. We are going about 25mph. Everyone slightly eases except it seems the guy directly behind me. I stand to sprint with a clear road ahead of me and good thoughts in my head. It was then that what feels like a giant hand grabs my rear wheel and pulls my bike violently to the left. I could hear pinging of broken spokes and the pressure on my rear wheel is huge trying to push me over. I focus straight ahead so as not to go down and struggle to stay upright. Then, the pressure is gone and a sickening sound of crushed bike and rider is in my ears. My sprint is over and the pack of riders has gotten around. I look back and see a rider in the fetal position in the middle of the road. The motto ref is stopped with him, so I ride it through the finish line. It is a shitty way to finish off a bike race.
Frustrating to drive so far and ride so long and finish with a full matchbook. I am hopeful the fallen rider is not to bad off and am thankful I stayed upright, but darn it, would have been nice to at least use a match. Tom did a yeoman's effort and rode fantastic. I give him rider of the day. If someone other than a Thirsty Bear rider won, they should send Tom a thank you note.
I on the other hand need to finish writing these shitty reports. Seems Daryoush, Jerome and I will have to take some aggression out at Top Sport (April 6/7 people, get this on your calendar!).
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