12 Jul 2008

Simon and I headed up to Lancefield today for my first road race. I choose a rather laid back northern combine scratch race, and when we arrived an hour before the start the race site was deserted. No matter, we headed in to town for refreshments.

Mmm, snot block. Suitably fed we headed back to the race to register in what were rather chilly conditions. A little more standing around and a short warm up, and we were rolling out with the A grade bunch. Starting a race and not going full gas felt a bit strange, but I managed to hold myself back and stay in the bunch. We hit the first climb and surged a bit, then backed it off, then surged… etc.

The course was heavy in rolling hills and had a nasty crosswind on some parts. It was also quite rough which made me feel right at home. It wasn’t long before the bunch split, with one guy making a break and several others going out the back. Another rider punctured and I found myself in a group of four riders who would stay together for most of the race. No one really seemed interested in chasing down the guy who broke away, and the roady laziness extended to the point that we were eventually caught by three of the riders we had dropped early on. We repeated the middle section for a total of 95km, so it was just as well I stocked up on bars beforehand:

What, they were on special OK!

So anyway, I downed a bar and got ready for my big move on climb 6. The bunch was taking it easier on the lower ’slopes’, so I snuck to the front then attacked. No one responded for a bit, and I felt so pro… for about 5 seconds, at which point my legs turned to jelly. Fortunately everyone else seemed to be hurting a bit too, and I made it to the top with only two riders near me. I let them jump on, only to realise they were roadies and were going to completely refuse to work. Oh well. I got trounced in the sprint but finished up 4th in my first road race. Got to be happy with that.

It’s off to officer tomorrow for more racing, hopefully I can back it up OK.

Posted by erin @ 6:35 am

One Response to “Flirting with the dark side”

1. Thylacine Says:
   July 12th, 2008 at 10:16 am

   Nice work Duckman!

   Yeah those damn roadies. Never wanting to do any work. You shoulda slowed down a tad and had a small rest and wait for them to catch you, then attack again.

   Remind me one of these days to get you off that disgusting Litespeed.

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