My 1/4 Village Tour

Today I tried my first "real" road race - one with actual climbs and stuff.  The only other non-crit I've ever raced is Jamestown and, while that's technically a road race, it shouldn't really count - because I've actually finished Jamestown - twice.  There's no way that can count as a real road race in my book.

So I figured it was high time I do the Three Village Tour through the towns of Baltic, Sprague and Hanover, CT.  As far as road races go, it's much tougher than Jamestown, but not really in the same league with, say, Tour of the Hilltowns or Housatonic Hills.  I actually pre-rode the race route before last year's race, but bailed out of actually racing it due to rain.  So THIS time, I promised myself I'd do it.

I woke up to gorgeous, though hot, weather - so no bailing out this year - and was actually excited to get my gear packed up and get on the road.  When Mrs. SOC and I got there, it was cool to see so many other racers - many of whom we knew, and many we were seeing race for the first time.  Pretty exciting.

After warming up a bit with HOB, and debating whether or not to take a tube and CO2 "just in case" we discovered that SRAM neutral support would not be supporting the Cat3 race - only the Pro1/2.  At one point we thought we'd be combined with the 1/2 race, but that was changed at the last minute.

Very fortunately, we discovered there was a "wheels in/wheels out" pickup truck supporting our race.  Mrs. SOC took care of putting my extra wheels in the truck while HOB and I chatted near the start/finish.  Unfortunately, all the pre-race instructions - that you usually hear while you're on the line - were being given on the other side of the driveway, out of earshot and unbeknownst to us.  Apparently, they were trying to save some time as the P1/2s lined up and went off.

We finally joined the rest of the 3s, literally just as the guy was saying "Ok - that's it - any questions?"  I had a million questions, but was too embarassed to ask.  I just lined up with the rest of the guys, taking advantage of the fact that I was late to the party by getting a starting position right near the front in staging.

The whistle blew and we were off!  My first REAL road race!  I did my best to convince myself that it was "only a fast group ride in the country" and even had some fun chatting with some old teammates.

But about 1/4 mile after the start, a mere 1300 or so feet into my race, I heard the tell-tale sound of a flat tire.  PPPhhhhhhtttt!  "Wow - that really sucks for that guy, whoever he is" I thought.

Well, you guessed it.  The guy it sucked for, was me.

Fortunately, we were all still together and I'd been near the front.  Unfortunately, I had to drift back through the entire pack and wait for the truck.  He was there pretty quick, but as many times as I've seen the Pros have wheel changes done, I felt like a 5 yr old.  By the time I got back on my bike, the pack was nowhere in sight.  To admonitions from the truck guy of "You can catch them!" I put my head down and started sprinting.

That's what you might do in a crit.  But I was STILL on the climb, in a road race.  I blew up in about 2 minutes.

Ok, gotta settle down - but what is that loud TICK TICK TICK TICK??!!  Did my rear derailleur somehow get bent and it's now hitting my spokes?  Do I have ANOTHER flat?!

 
No - that was just the sound of my nametag  hitting the chainstay.  I'd put it on the wheel to identify it, and it was still there.

For the whole rest of my race.

Try as I might to time trial and try to catch the pack, or ANYone, I didn't see anybody the whole first lap.  As I came through the start/finish, I was going to pull off, but I figured I HAD to do more than ten miles - and I MAY just catch SOMEone.  Then someone had the temerity to yell "GO SUITCASE OF COURAGE!!" - it wasn't a voice I recognized.  Was it a fan?  I couldn't disappoint them!  So like the egomaniac idiot I am, I put my head down and determined to catch the peleton.

I chased for 20 miles and didn't see a soul.

Coming through the start/finish the 2nd time around, there were only a few folks left.  I'd had it.  My race was over.  Here's what my race looked like from my heart's point of view (notice crazy HRs about 1/4 - 1/2 mile in...)

But despite what you may think from reading this - and despite the fact that I am disappointed to have not at least finished this race - I had a great time.  It was wonderful to see all our friends and other racers we know all out doing something we all love to hate.  The promoter/organizers of this race do a fantastic job and everything ran really smoothly.  I just had some bad luck.

But I'll DEFINITELY be back next year.

PS: I have to admit, one of the highlights of the day, if not THE highlight, was seeing Team Mullaly there.  And no, that has nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that they brought me delicious blueberry muffins.  Nope, not at all.

Comments

[otto]

Look at the bright side: it was only a 1 day race.

The same thing happened to me during the Fitchburg Longsjo circuit.

Anyway, SOC, time to start doing more road races. They're so much more interesting than circling office parks, and I know you'd do well.

[Rish]

It happens to all of us Chris!

I had that happen during one of the hilly RR's last year. I got stomach cramps so bad that I couldn't pedal haha.

You'll get 'em next time.

-Rish.

[truck rental]

What kind of bike do you ride? I'm thinking about stating some real riding and I need a few pointers.

[suitcaseofcourage]

Hi truck rental and thanks forstopping by the blog!

I ride race a 2005 Cannondale R900 (CAAD 8 frame) with Campagnolo Record shifters, Veloce brakes, Chorus rings on a Centaur crank, Veloce front derailleur and Centaur rear derailleur. Wheels depend on what Im doing, but I have Mavic SL2s for everyday, Williams 58 carbon clinchers and Reynolds DVR48 tubulars for racing.

What kind of riding are you considering?