Things Go Better with Friends
Those of you over a certain age will remember the Coca-Cola slogan "Things Go Better With Coke." It wasn't until I looked it up that I discovered that slogan was from 1963(!) No, I'm not THAT old.
Well, forgetting the contemporary connotations of that old saying, I can join with the masses and attest to the obvious: Racing is better with teammates, no matter what the result. The camaraderie of fellow-sufferers makes even the worst conditions bearable.
Yesterday's races were a case in point. Not so much for the conditions - which were among the windiest, and definitely the coldest so far of the season - but for the company itself. The last time I raced with these guys was last year when we were helping a teammate win the local race series. We rode together the day before this year's series started, but given the truly horrible conditions of that first race day, I decided to stay home. But yesterday's Cat 3/4 race saw us lining up together again: Lance (hot off a win at Plainville the previous day), me, Paul (up from Philly) and TJ (recovering his form after some setbacks last fall).
We were together to help another team - temporary teammates for the day - keep things together. Then we'd see how the sprint lined up.
Everything went as per usual for most of the race. I really enjoy racing every weekend: When racing becomes routine there are MUCH fewer, if any, pre-race butterflies or nervousness. As mentioned, it was VERY cold and VERY windy. The coldness evaporated by the end of the climb on the first lap, but the wind was a wall you hit every time you turned into the back stretch.
We did what we could to keep things together, and when that didn't work, we chased. (as always, be sure to click on the photo for a larger view)
But things would eventually come back together, often with the herculean effort of certain-racers-who-shall-remain-nameless.
Of course, the hill would always break things up a bit, and we'd all have to pedal hard on the descent to get together again. Fortunately, the downhill was also accompanied by a tailwind, making at least these efforts a little less, er, effort-ful.
As the race wound down, we were still gruppo compatto and starting to get things together for the inevitable field sprint. Team EXPO moved toward the front and got the train together with 4 laps to go.
Pauly was on the front and pushed the pace, stringing us out. Unfortunately - and note for next time - we may have gone a little too early cuz we lost a little steam going into the bell lap. Everybody else was feeling the effects too, of course, and as we turned into the wind on the back stretch for the final time, things bunched up and got a little sketchy.
We were still near the front, but started to get swamped on both sides. As we got to the end of the straight section, just before the curve heading toward the hill, traffic got especially heavy. I'd lost track of Paul, but Lance was on my right trying to get me over to his side where the way was a little clearer.
Unfortunately, I was too boxed in and couldn't really step on the gas til part way up the hill. As always, lots of riders were blowing up in front of us (another reason to be as close to the front as possible) and causing a little braking and a lot of swerving. The main event was going on in front of us, but Lance and I were still able to post results of 16th and 20th, respectfully.
We notched another race, had a BLAST racing together and actually getting a train going (we looked like a team time trial for a few laps anyway), and accomplished our primary goal. Sure, a win for ourselves would have been nice, but only secondary to the fun of racing together.
Here's how the front looked - with BJ notching his third win in 4 weeks. Chapeau!
As I have for the last couple of weeks - and plan to continue - I lined up for the Pro1/2/3 race immediately following. Of course, following my own advice, I made sure to refill my water bottles, have a GU, and ask Mrs. SOC to cut off my Cat3/4 race number.
There are two legs on which my doing the Pro race stand: 1) it's great training and 2) it's the only race I get to race with my former-Cat 3-teammate.
Pauly joined us too (though unfortunately didn't make it into the pic) so we had three EXPO guys racing.
None of us had any plan other than to hang in as long as we could. The wind seemed to pick up in intensity - or maybe our legs were just tired. I didn't know whether I'd make it to the end, but unlike the earlier race, the speed in this race was MUCH more varied, slowing down to under 20mph at some points on the windy back stretch.
Clearly, the pack wasn't really interested in punching through the wall o' wind and a break took advantage of this and went up the road. WAY up the road. We chased for many laps accompanied by TJ's yelling time gaps every time we came up the hill. But it didn't do us any good. The break was motivated, the pack was demoralized and as the break lapped(?!) us they - almost literally - rocketed past. Considering the conditions, and the fact that I was relying on the pack's laziness to give me much-needed opportunities to recover, their speed was truly impressive.
But no matter what our average speed was, it was still the Pro race at Bethel and Paul and I were hanging in there. In fact, I even found myself off the front a couple of times - a condition which I remedied as soon as I discovered there was NO way I was going to be able to stay away. And my between-race refilling came in handy when Paul needed some water with about half a dozen laps to go.
We both finished - having raced for 2 hours and 9 minutes, going up the hill 68 times. My legs, which started the day a bit tired from Saturday's group ride (seriously?! I never expected 33 easy miles and a few hills to have that effect), were well and truly toasted. But I'm going into a rest week, so hopefully the recovery will make me stronger and faster.
It had better - there's another race two races this Sunday. With any luck, no matter how I feel or the ultimate outcome, racing with friends always makes for a good day.
Learning Points
- For cold weather racing, the right clothing choices are even more critical than usual. While I didn't end up shedding ANYthing during the races, I could have. That flexibility is the key to comfort.
- Don't be afraid to pin your number to your jacket if you're sure you're going to be wearing it the whole race.
- A knitted "neck donut" (I don't know the right term) gives you a lot of options - leave down just to cover your neck, or extend it up over your face (eh, leaving your eyes clear of course).
neck donut = gator.
next time i suggest using something like a buff. keeps the neck warm, and you won't overheat.
Posted by: myshavedlegs | March 29, 2011 at 07:43 AM
oops. meant gaiter.
Posted by: myshavedlegs | March 29, 2011 at 07:44 AM
While I think neck donut is certainly more descriptive (and even gator would be fun), I appreciate knowing the correct term.
Posted by: suitcaseofcourage | March 30, 2011 at 07:30 AM