The Suitcase of Courage

Why Cycle Wednesday:Because I Can (Part II)

I rode my bike in to work this morning.  Yes, it's Bike Month and this is Bike to Work Week.  But while those are certainly good reasons to ride, they aren't why I decided to ride over 40 miles from my home to my office today.

I rode because I could.  Because five years ago today - also a Wednesday as it turns out - I was admitted to the hospital and then diagnosed the next day with Crohns Disease.  While I'd been sick on and off for a long time, I never thought it was anything major.  It just became "my normal."  But this was different.  I'd never been in the hospital for it.  And doctors were seriously considering surgery.

To make a long story short (if you'd like the more detailed version, click here), I was in the hospital that first time for almost a week.  All that summer, they tried to treat it with drugs and avoid surgery.  I was in the hospital again in November, and they determined that the drugs weren't working.  I had surgery in December (10 day stay that time) and was in the hospital again in January.  Four times in nine months.

I didn't know what my life was going to be like going forward.  I'd read and heard about all the worse case scenarios and how Crohns can exhaust you and make you dependent.  In some cases, you don't even want to risk leaving your house, or associating with other people, and you feel tired all the time.

But I've been very blessed with a good doctor and we discovered that I responded well to a cancer-fighting drug that's used with some success in Crohns patients.  As a result, I've been in remission (mostly) for the past few years.  But I wanted to make sure I wouldn't take my health for granted again. 

So for my 10th wedding anniversary, Mrs. Suitcase got me a racing bike.  I'd never been one for exercising - hate doing it for its own sake - but I knew I needed to take better care of myself and I always enjoyed riding.  Now I'd have a fancy new bike that would make me feel guilty if I didn't use it.

I started riding as much as I could.  Short trips at first, then longer.  All of them - purposely - going by the hospital where I'd been so often.  It was my own little way of kicking Crohns in the teeth.

Just riding for myself wasn't enough though.  I wanted to do more.  And when Mrs. Suitcase told me about a charity ride for Chrons Disease, and especially when I saw the video, I knew I HAD to do it.

Get Your Guts in Gear is like an MS 150 for Crohns Disease.  It's a 210 mile ride from New York City to Saratoga Springs that raises funds and awareness.  I rode it last year, and am doing it again this year.

The fundraising is a little tougher this time around with the economy in the doldrums, but many of you have already been generous with your support.  THANK YOU so very much!  If you'd like to learn more about this project and/or to sponsor me, you can click here or click the "Get Your Guts in Gear" button in the upper right corner of the blog.  Your donation will be put to very good use and it'll also allow me to participate again this year (there's a fundraising minimum to ride).

Whether you can help out or not, I hope if you or someone you know has Crohns Disease that you've been encouraged by my story.  You're not alone.  There is hope.  And over a hundred Crohns patients, family members and loved ones will be riding up the Hudson River for you June 6-8, 2008.

I plan to be one of them.  With the miles I got in this morning, I should be ready.

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If you'd like to read more about how I got from the hospital to participating in GYGIG, check out the first edition of "Because I Can."   To read more about Crohns Disease, click here.

Back in the Saddle Again

Not a terriby original post title, especially for a cycling blog, but an apt description of the last couple of weeks.  The past 6 weeks are my busiest time of year at work, so in the almost-two-weeks since my last post, I've only been able to get on the bike six times - and never for very long.

I was thinking about racing the Sturbridge Road Race for the first time on 4/26, but I was scheduled to work that day and didn't find out that we didn't have to come in until late the night before.  Figuring I'd only get a few hours sleep and hadn't even ridden 50 miles yet this year, much less raced it (ever), I decided the better part of valor was to skip Sturbridge.

So I went on a long bike ride instead.

Old Saybrook to Mystic and back.  Over 66 miles and 2 highway bridges.  Props to friend Patrick for the beautiful alternate route back along the Mystic River.  Added some distance, but MUCH better than going back via Route 1.

Here's a view from the middle of the Thames River Highway Bridge between New London and Groton.  It's amazing how much it bounces up and down as the traffic goes over it.  And I have vertigo.  Ugh.

At least I got some miles in on my longest ride of the year so far - by far.

That was my last big ride before the busiest-of-the-busy times hit at work.  Since then, I've been able to get in little rides here and there.  But my plans for getting out for good training rides in the morning before work were quickly put to rest (literally and figuratively) by the late nights at work.  Who wants to get up at 530a to ride when they didn't get home until 1 or 2a?

Ok, who - who's NOT wearing a "hugging jacket" would want to do that?

So not much training the last couple of weeks, riding just a little over 50 miles or so each week.  I discovered that I'm OCD enough to HAVE to have a training plan to stay on track and motivated.  And I don't have one right now.

I'm going to have to put one together.  My next race is a week from this Saturday.  Let me know if you wanna help . . .

In the meantime, I figured I wouldn't go wrong with base miles and exploring some new roads.  I found these scenic gems during my ride last Saturday evening:

I'll try to post the route at some point, but for those of you familiar with the area, these are scenes along Route 156 in CT.

I won't be able to ride at all this weekend and need to get some more miles in.  So what's a guy to do?  Enter Bike to Work Week.  Yes boys and girls, in case you haven't heard, May is  Bike Month  and this here particular week is the jewel in the crown of the month.

But I work over 40 miles from home.  No problem.  I've biked to work before.  Once.  Read about all about THAT experience here.

Since I'm not quite up to an 80 mile ride yet, I figured I'd take a different approach this time.  I'll drive in to work tomorrow with my bike and gear (and shower stuff and change of clothes), ride home and then ride in Wednesday morning (hence staging the shower stuff and change of clothes a day ahead).  That way I get two 40 mile rides in two days.

I'll miss the actual "Bike To Work Day" this Friday, but I'm going to see if I can ride to work and back at least one day per week during the summer.

Of course I'll post all the gory details - including tips/info on what I discover works for such a long bike commute, and what doesn't (like riding with an 11 pound backpack).

If you have any advice or experience doing this, be sure to post a comment.  I know *I* for one can use all the good tips I can get...

Why Cycle Wednesday:Deep River, CT

For today's WCW, another morning ride.  Between chores and weather, I haven't been on the bike since Saturday.  So I was due for an LSD ride.

Even tried a new route - this time highlighting Deep River, CT -  20 miles of rolling country side, New England villages, and river views.

All views taken from the bike this morning (tying to keep the "W" in WCW). . .

Deep River Town Hall, at the corner of old Middlesex Turnpike (now Rt. 154) and Rt. 80.  Neat old brick building.  Unfortunately, they're building a Walgreen's next door.  Won't be as interesting architecturally, fer sure.  Guess we should be thankful the old town hall has survived.

Connecticut River view along River Road on the way from Deep River to Essex, CT.  The fact that the lens was a little fogged from being inside my jacket actually gives this pic an impressionist effect.

Ditto the above - actually just a little further south (and a lot higher up).  Looking north along the Connecticut River.

I shot all these - as I usually have lately - with the camphone.  Pretty good for a phone, but I think I'll start carrying the real, actual digital camera again to get some sharper images.

All in all, another beautiful morning ride - sets a nice tone for the long & late workdays I have to do this time of year.  But only a week of this crazy schedule left to go!

Hope the weather in your area is letting you get out and ride.  If so, share a comment and/or point us to some pics!

Why Cycle Wednesday:Morning Ride

In this week's edition of WCW, scenes from my ride this morning (courtesy camphone).  After working late last night, it was very tough getting up this morning, but the scenery made it all worthwhile.

Boat Launch - Essex, CT

Connecticut River at dawn

First Congregational Church - Essex, CT

Spring has FINALLY sprung here "where the river meets the sea."  Hope you're able to get out and ride!

Plainville Finale 4/19/2008:Sun, not worms

(There's lots to report, so beware, this is a LONG post.  If you're only interested in the Cat 3/4 race and/or pictures and video, scroll down.  There's nothing but text of the Cat 4/5 race...)

The final week of the Plainville Spring Series couldn't have been better, in more ways than one.  This was my second season racing at Plainville, and the first year I actually finished the series (having come to grief part way through last year).  Running from March 8 to April 19, conditions vary from snow and cold to warm and balmy, all over the course of a few weeks.  And it's a great way to kick off the season, getting the rust out of the joints and the adrenaline pumping again.

While I didn't race all 7 races of the series (the first day was actually canceled due to weather, and I skipped the 5th weekend due to illness), I made up for what I missed by racing back-to-back races a couple of times, and Bethel once.  So I still got 7 races in.

Going into the final week, our team had been bumped out of the bridesmaid position on team points in the Cat4/5 9am race and our newest teammate, JoeP, had lost the leader's jersey.  Things looked grim.  I had only scored one point in the series - during my first race of the season - also in the Cat4/5.  Under Series rules, only the top three points scorers can earn points toward team placing.  I was one of those three, along with Dillon and JoeP, so I decided to skip the Cat3/4 race this week and focus on the 4/5.

The day was absolutely stunning.  Forecast for sun and highs near 70.  A big contrast to last week where the 9am race was a haze of rooster tails and worms.  37 of us Cat4s/5s started off at a pretty decent pace and for the first bunch of laps, it was actually a little docile.  That is until the race promoter - who was also in the peleton - started chiding the guys in front and they, almost too predictably, responded by picking up the pace.

It actually turned out to be a fast race - especially after the first prime.  While our team had no formal plan or strategy (other than for the three points scorers to vacuum up as many points as possible in a Hail Mary bid for the team win), I had planned to contest both primes and the win.  I'm usually one to not bother too much with intermediate sprints and just sit in for the final sprint.  But I'd tested my legs - and my ability to work at the front and set pace - a few times in the Cat3/4 races, and since I wasn't doing the 3/4 race this day, I figured I'd leave everything I had on the track.  And see if the points would follow.

I had been staying as sheltered as possible, appreciating very much my other teammates chasing down breaks and setting pace at the front when needed, when we heard the bell for the first sprint.  Dillon was already near the front and I did my best during the lap to move up.  Of course, everybody else had the same idea so it was more difficult than I'd remembered.  Coming into the final corner, I was still about 8 guys back when I started my sprint.  I'd picked a wheel to follow, but he faded too fast for my liking so I came around and gassed it best I could into the wind (there always seems to be a headwind through the Start/Finish at Plainville).  I reached Dillon's wheel at the line, but lost out on the prime, coming in 3rd or 4th (prime points only go 2 deep).

But Dillon - sporting his new feather-light ride with the SRAMpy gruppo - won the sprint.  Score 2 more team points.

After that first prime, the pace seemed to pick up significantly.  There were the usual attacks and attempts to get a break going, but nothing came of them.  After last week, none of us were too interested in letting anyone slip away and we all worked to keep things together.  At one point, there was a crash in corner 1, just behind me and to the left.  One of my teammates (Gregg) actually rode over the guy's wheels after he was down - the pack was too tight to allow him to go around.

When the 2nd bell sounded, I was - unfortunately - in about the same lousy position I'd been in before: about 1/3 back and having to cover a lot of real estate before I could get to the front.  Fortunately, this time I had a true lead-out in Gregg.  He picked me up on his way up the left side of the pack and buried himself to get me as close to the front as quickly as possible.  His effort was heroic, but started to fade approching the final corner.  I came around and grabbed another wheel.  This sprint went better technically, but I still started too late.  I passed a lot of guys and was still accelerating at the line, but it wasn't enough.  I came in third.

Fortunately, the Prime win went to another teammate.  Dillon, for two more team points.

As happy as I was that our team was working so well together and getting much-needed points for the overall, I was getting a little frustrated that my sprint timing was off.  Since I'd ramped up slowly in this Series and had raced a few Cat3/4 races as well, I haven't been contesting any sprints - or getting much sprint practice.  Now that I discovered I actually DID retain a pretty good sprint from years past, I seemed to be waiting too long to launch.  I resolved to do better for the final sprint.

One thing I was VERY happy about, was that I was still upright.  There was another crash in turn 3 - fortunately behind me.  I've gone over a year now without crashing and am glad to keep that record going for as long as possible.

As is usually the case with crits, at least at my level, the pace did its predictable wind-up as we neared the end.  The race leader (also racing for the team leading in points) was near the front and while there were even more attacks, they fizzled quickly at the speed we were going.  MAJOR props go out to Gregg, Bruce, Dave and Gary (in his first race of the season - congratulations!) for making sure everything stayed together.

Counting down 5 laps to go, I started working my way back up through the field and with 1/2 a lap to go (and courtesy an unwitting pull up the outside by two unattached riders I know - thanks Esteban and Giberto!), I got inside the front 8-10 guys going into the final corner.  We were going insanely fast.

Though the Garmin - when I get around to uploading it - may tell me different, we HAD to be going crazy fast because when we all hit that corner the front guy - the series leader in individual and team points - went down.  I dunno what happened - whether his pedal or wheel got hit, but the Yellow Jersey was down and into the curb, taking a couple other guys down as well.

It was all I could do to carve an even tighter corner to avoid him - and hopefully not cut across anybody else's line.  The adrenaline rush of the speed and the crash helped me time my sprint much better and I passed three or four guys as I raced for the line.  With about 10 meters left, I caught the second-to-last guy and threw my bike at the line -  just edging him out for a second place finish - and JoeP came in 5th (points go 6 deep) for a total between the two of us of another 7 team points.

My runner-up finish qualified me for my first-ever podium ceremony.  I'd placed a couple times in other races, but never got on an actual podium before.  Ok, so there were no flowers, or champagne, or podium girls, but there were a nice couple of ladies doing interviews for ESPN Public Access Cable (or YouTube) and taking pictures.  But I got to share it with the winner of the race - Jess Kane - a great all-around guy and great racer.

The final result?  Team Cheshire Cycle Racing got 11 points to take the Team Overall prize by 2 points.  JoeP tied for second in the Individual Overall.

VERY cool!

But the revelry was tempered by the fact that we knew that there was an amount of luck involved too.  In this case - bad luck.  The points leader in individual AND team points crashed in the final corner and scored no points in the final race.  While there were other CCNS riders the 4/5 races, Jason C alone earned points for his team.  Even though he crashed and got no points on the final day, he STILL won the individual overall.  The fact that he could have won the individual AND team prizes (almost) single-handedly is a testament to how good and strong a rider he is.    Get well soon JC.

But crashing is part of racing and it could very well have been any of us.  So we'll take pride in having won the Team Overall in the Plainville Cat 4/5 race TWO years in a row!

Whew!  Sorry for the long race report - and I appreciate your indulgence while I savored Saturday's race.  It's already been a much better season than last year.

I'm just sorry Mrs. Suitcase couldn't be there to share in the victory.  She's been to almost every race, gamely shooting the pics and video that makes these posts more interesting, and I was disappointed that the time I do my best, she's not there to see it.

I played Mrs. Suitcase myself for the Cat 3/4 race.  Since I'd spent myself in the 9a race, I decided to shoot pics and videos of my teammates in the 10a race.  Since a picture is worth a thousand words (and I've spent my character limit on the the 4/5 race), we'll let them tell the story of the Cat 3/4 race.  For a detailed report, from another racer's perspective, click here.

Of course, if you want to weigh in with your own perspective on this race (or the 9a race too for that matter), leave a comment.

JoeK chasing down an attack.

JoeP attacking, with a CycloNaught in tow (and looking for more teammates?)

ChrisB and JoeK setting pace in the front, with CycloNaught on Joe's wheel (which became a very familiar sight).

Ditto - different lap.

Ditto - sans ChrisB, added another CycloNaught.

JoeK still pulling/towing - CycloNaughts still sitting in.

Ditto - JoeK is clearly the strongest of the bunch.  He was out front most of the race.

The all-too-familiar scene.  CycloNaught enjoying the ride behind JoeK's locomotive.

And it all came down to this:

Despite being WAY outgunned, JoeK - with support by ChrisB, JoeP, Dillon, and occasionally other team members - managed to get CCR third place in the Team Overall in the Cat 3/4 race.  Nothing to sneeze at since JoeK's the only Cat3 on our team - and clearly one of the strongest guys in the series.

Finally, the 11a Cat 4/5 race.  I'll leave the reporting to others that participated in and/or followed this race more closely.  My main interest was that my friend Mickey was using this race to return to racing.  He hadn't been satisfied with his efforts earlier in the series, but everything came together in this last race.  He stayed right in there with the pack up until the final few laps when a crash on the back stretch took him out.  Fortunately, he was ok - escaping with only some relatively minor scrapes and bumps, and his bike's ok.  "Relatively" minor only compared to one of the other guys in the pile-up.  He broke his collarbone and required the only ambulance of the series - evidence at how well-run and safe these races are.  Thoughts and prayers go out to him - fortunately, another racer who recently broke his collarbone was on-hand to offer consolation and encouragement.

What a day!  Hopefully you found the these reports interesting and informative.  Just the usual caveat - this is one man's perspective on how it all went down.  If you wanna weigh in with more detail - or a diverging point of view - post a comment.

So Plainville 2008 is over.  It almost feels like the end of the season, but the season is actually only just beginning.  There's lots of racing to do - I hope you'll continue to join me as I learn some new things, pass along some tips I've discovered and generally bumble my way to an eventual (if not at all inevitable) upgrade to Cat3.

Weekend Recap,Plainville Race Report coming...

What a weekend!

Beautiful weather, racing, time with friends, and a wonderful visit to an art museum.

It started out by getting out of work early (shocking, this time of year) on Friday, probably the best day weather-wise so far this year.  Sunny and high near 80.  Then hit a sale on the way home and got some cool stuff - one item in particular at 90 (yes NINETY) percent off(!!).  Then racing Saturday morning, including watching friend Mickey doing well during his race (the weather suits him).  Then went to a dinner party at a friends' house that we haven't been to in a while.

Mrs. Suitcase was feeling better (she'd been sick with a bad cold for a few days) so we were able to get out together, driving with the top down and on our way to one of the highlights of the weekend:  visiting the Impressionist exhibit at the Wadsworth Atheneum.  Absolutely stunning!

Got to ride some last night to wring out the last vestiges of the sun - and to rip my legs one last time before entering this recovery week before Sturbridge on Saturday (hopefully, if I don't have to work).

All in all, a great weekend.  I'll have all the details on the racing coming in the next post.  Lots to report, so stay tuned!

Tonight's ride ...

Essex, CT

Shot with the CamPhone 1/2 way through the ride . . .

Considering tonight was supposed to be a recovery ride, since I'm racing tomorrow (2 races again - YAY! - but last ones of the series - BOO!), I think I may have overdone it.  Especially when I helped out a nice lady by having her follow me in her car to the street she was looking for.  Nice to have a "support vehicle" following, but not so good for my legs to be TT-ing down the road in a lame attempt to be impressive.

Oh well, at least I did my good turn for Cyclo-Auto relations.

Best of luck to all of you racing the Battenkill Roubaix tomorrow (though you should be in bed by now)!

Why Cycle Wednesday:Morning Ride

For this week's edition of Why Cycle Wednesday - Scenes from my ride this morning (apologies for the camphone quality).

Doesn't get much more timely - or beautiful.  I'm not a morning person, but rides like this may just change my mind (that and the prospect of having to stay late at the office and not get to ride otherwise).

Hope you're able to get out during the beautiful weather!

Race Report:Plainville 4/12/2008

It should be race reportS, since I did back-to-back races again on Saturday.  But I didn't do Bethel Sunday as I'd planned.  You'll discover why if you read on . . .

Actually, I didn't know if I'd be racing at all this weekend.  The forecast all week was for rain.  Then, miraculously, Friday morning's forecast called for overnight showers & clearing up on Saturday - Sunday to be even nicer.  That's exactly what ended up happening last Saturday - I skipped Plainville since I woke up and it was wet out.  By 11a the sun was out and it was a top 5 day.  I determined to not let that happen again this weekend.  Racing was on!!

The weather gods had something up their sleeve though.  I planned on racing both the Cat 4/5 and Cat 3/4 races, so I had to wake up EARLY Saturday morning.  I checked weather.com and there was a Weather Advisory that said "Conditions as off 6:55 am: A severe thunderstorm with wind gusts of over 40 mph is centered over Plainville, CT"  I kid you not - it actually called out Plainville!

But I would not be deterred.  I loaded up the car.

While the roads were very wet, it wasn't raining and when we arrived at the track, it looked like things might actually clear up as forecast.  So I registered (tip: print out the release forms the night before and fill them out to save time at registration), Mrs. Suitcase pinned on my numbers (tip for back to back races: 2nd race number on first, 1st race number on second, have scissors to cut 1st number off between races), I got dressed and on the trainer.

I should have figured the worms that I saw all over the pavement as I was warming up wouldn't be confined to the parking lot . . .

We had a good team turnout for the first race.  Our newest member, (another) Joe (JoeP), was wearing the yellow jersey of the Series Leader and Dave, Bruce and Dillon were on-hand to help him keep it.

As you can see, it was pretty wet and foggy.  You can also see that we were on the front a lot.  Too much as it turned out.  We chased everything and the resulting pace was the fastest for a 4/5 race so far at Plainville - about 25mph average.

Fortunately, despite the pace and the fact that we were all burning too many matches, Dillon was able to collect a couple of points for the team by winning one of the primes.

The only thing I was able to collect was worms.  Lots of worms.  I was prepared for rain and racing in wet conditions.  Even though my rear wheel threatened to break free just about every time I hit corner #1, I was prepared.  A guy crashed in that corner early in the race - tire blew out and the slick pavement kept him from keeping it together.  Still, I was unfazed.

Until I swore somebody blew their nose and it hit my hand.  It took me a couple of laps to get up enough nerve to assess the damage.  You guessed it.  Not a boogie - a worm.  At least it was easy to shake off.

Part of the reason the pace was so fast was that a guy took off up the road fairly early on.  I later learned that a German time trial specialist had run away with our race an unattached guy with a cool accent had snuck away and we just couldn't seem to chase him down.  But we tried.  By the time we got to the finish though, our team was pretty well toast.  I think we caught the break near the end, so it was a field sprint.  Joe wasn't feeling well so I came around him, appreciative for the lead out, but it wasn't enough.  I came in 7th - just outside of points.  Good thing Dillon had legs early on.  Dave and Bruce, their admirable and hard work done, came in with the rest of the pack.

At least it had really cleared up - and the sun was out.  No time to appreciate the weather though.  I was burning up, having overdressed.  Time to take off the base later shirt, get one of my numbers cut off, and line up for the next race.

All the CCR guys from the first race lined up to help out JoeK in the Cat 3/4 race.  ChrisB (yes, another Chris) was there too bringing our team numbers up to 7 - close to record participation.

It wouldn't last for long.

Not surprisingly, the Cat3/4 race was even more difficult and faster than the 4/5 race.  As has been the case with just about all the Plainville 3/4 races this season, there was an early break.  And also true to form, Joe was in it.

But that's where the plot twisted.

The pack caught the break and at some point (I wasn't sure, since it was all I could do to just hold wheels at that point), another break got up the road.  Joe didn't make that one, and all the CCR guys tried to chase it down to give Joe a chance.

But apparently, most of the rest of the pack either had a guy in the break, or didn't care to bring it back.  Clearly, the series leader in this race wasn't interested in working.  He's third wheel in the pic above.  I'm in front (sans base layer - note bare arms) trying to give Joe a much-needed break.  If another CCR guy wasn't leading, Joe was.  The whole time.

Unfortunately, CCR guys were getting shelled.  Having raced the first race and worked so hard, the numbers eventually dwindled down to Joe, ChrisB and me.  While Joe did the lion's share of the pulling, some others did share the work. Special mention goes to Sebastian from the CVC team for helping too when he could.

For some insane reason, I've been in the front a lot lately.  I'm usually more than happy to stay sheltered, but as you can see, with it all strung out there's not much shelter anyway.

I could only give Joe temporary relief though.  I was fading pretty fast, only able to pull for about a half lap at a time.  I'd been able to catch the back of the line each time, but after an especially long pull (for me), my legs just didn't have anything left.

I watched as the line pulled away.  I'd been dropped.

This, I am happy to say, was a first for me in a race.  Because I've gotten so adept at holding wheels, I can usually finish with the pack.  Not always a great result, but a finish.  This time I was committed to burying myself for a teammate - something you don't get to do when you're unattached.  It was a good feeling, if not such a great result.

But I should have noted the lap cards.  If I had known there were only a few laps left, I might have tried a little harder to catch back on.  But I didn't see the cards.  Consequently, as the break lapped me, I dutifully made note of the timegap and - I thought helpfully - yelled it to Joe as he (still leading the pack) passed me.

What I didn't know is that they were heading into the finish.  You can't make up 16 seconds in 250 meters.  I thought they were going faster than before.

But I didn't realize that until I got to the finish line.  Actually, I was going to drop my bike on the sidelines and watch (what I thought was) the finish when I heard Dillon and Mrs. Suitcase yelling that I should at least cross the line.  What I thought was the finishing lap, was actually the cool down.  I could still cross the line and at least finish.  The stupid comical result is in the video below.

The break never got caught and, surprise!, was a break of only 5 guys.  So there was one point up for grabs in the field sprint (the "field" consisting of only about 7-8 guys by then - everybody else had cracked).  As usually happens, the guy that did the least work conserved the most energy won the field sprint.  And, in this case, the last point.

So, no points in the second race either.  But I did get SOMEthing out of the race.  A nasty sunburn on my arms.  I never imagined when I put on my tights and baselayer LS shirt that morning that NOT ONLY would the sun come out, but that it would be so strong.

But even if I had known, there was no way I would have had time to put on sunscreen between back-to-back races.  Yet another learning experience.  Just what these "training" races are for (admitting they're only "training races" when you don't do well in them LOL).

Despite the results, I was happy to be able to race so much - and stay upright.  Celebrating a year crash-free, especially racing on wet pavement for the first time, was a personal accomplishment.  The fact that I got to do it with a lot of my teammates just made it that much better.

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I was stoked to do Bethel the next day.  One of the best things about doing a race the following day is that you can leave your bike/wheels in your car and not have to repack the following morning.  But after a very restless and uncomfortable night, I woke up Sunday morning feeling pretty lousy.  My arms were on fire and the thought of having ANYthing on them, baselayer or otherwise, was anathema.

So I decided two races in a weekend was enough.  Bethel will now, unfortunately, have to wait until next year.

Now I gotta figure out how best to get hundreds of caked-on worms off my bike . . .

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As threatened promised, here are the finish-line videos of the two races:

Video of the finish of the Cat 4/5 race:

Video of the finish of the Cat 3/4 race:

In Recognition of Roubaix . . .

Whether you're planning on doing the Battenkill-Roubaix next weekend, or just watching the Paris-Roubaix this weekend, you'll enjoy this video.

Props to Liz Hatch over at Vanderkitten for linking to it.

In other news... two races back to back today - wicked fast both of them and legs are fried (not to mention, my skin - but more on that later)  Dunno if they'll be up for another race tomorrow, or if the body's going to make me get some sleep - or make me sick out of spite.

Will check in with it in the morning...