So I went out to Caleb Pike tonight in hopes of getting at least a few VCL
points. Unfortunately I was the only one out there in green which is too bad
because it was a nice night for racing and was really looking forward to
some teamwork. Despite taking over a week off due to a little mishap
involving a ladder, a cement floor, and my right leg I was feeling
surprisingly strong on a short test ride the other day and quite fresh on
the way out to Caleb Pike. The warmup was fairly hard with increasing
intensity, as I'm learning this is the key to me feeling strong during the
race.

Both A and B groups were quite large tonight, possibly the biggest bunch so
far this year. After 2 warmup laps and several trips into the bushes I lined
up and chatted with a few other riders about the course/race. The B's were
racing a meager 11 laps tonight and the A's were doing a few more as usual.

Off we went and the pace was dreadfully slow for the first 2 laps. I settled
into my rhythm and placed myself within the front 7 riders or so over the
next few laps. I'm beginning to feel a pack awareness and starting to feel
much smoother and calmer than in previous races. There were a few big surges
but nothing too serious and I was able to keep on a wheel quite easily. Lap
4 or so I decided to go to the front and up the pace a little but nothing
came of it and I settled back into the draft and let some other go-getters
do the work. On either lap 5 or 6 a deer jumped out right of the bushes and
into the race lane on a decent and it scattered the pack a little. The
front riders took advantage of this and powered to the bottom of the hill
and up the short climb, and I was one of the few hanging with. There was a
small gap but by the time we reached the top of the climb and began the next
lap the group was completely back together with only 2 or 3 riders that had
been dropped. I continued to hold my position and fought my way from the
inside to the outside just before a sharp corner, which worked well because
it placed me on the outside line right before the climb which is where I
like to be. You don't get jammed off into the dirt and there is usually
ample room to pass a few riders on the outside without a yellow line
violation. That is exactly what I did but had the strong and light Megan
Rathwell on my wheel and Steve Lund to her wheel. Suddenly I felt like I was
riding through sand and slowed significantly, all the while frustrating
Megan and Steve who couldn't make it around until I realized I had flatted
and pulled off. DARN!!! Well not the actual word I used but I'm sure you get
the idea.

I rolled over the top and down the hill nearly losing my bike from under me
as my rear tire folded and skidded out the back end.
I knew my race was over but I desperately wanted to hop back in for the
final few laps. I quickly changed the tube and accelerated back into the
main pack on the start of lap 9. Immediately I noticed that the group had
slowed quite a bit compared to previous laps. Maybe it was just that I had
rested for a lap but I'm sure they were tiring some. Despite my fresh(ish)
legs I decided to just sit in the middle and not bother doing anything that
might influence the outcome of the race, not that it really mattered. We
came to the bell lap and the pace quickened but nobody was willing to do
much until the final decent and hill sprint finish. I hammered down the
climb passing 5 or so riders and partook in the bunch sprint, was passed by
a rider and passed another, and finished side by side with another that came
up from behind and held the same pace for the final few meters. My sprint up
that hill is getting better but still needs work. I'm sure that if I had
been more aggressive on the bell lap and worked to the front I would have
finished within top 5.

The flat couldn't have come at a worse time but I'm not overly disappointed
and still glad that I jumped back in for the final few. Next time will be
very interesting I'm sure, especially if some teammates come out. My ride
home was fast and I was feeling crazy strong as usual AFTER the race. I've
decided that if I'm not exhausted after the next race then I didn't work
hard enough in it. I'll also be warming up even harder until I find the
sweet spot(for Caleb Pike at least).

Anyways that is all. It's mango time! It took me an hour to write the report
as I've been pausing to pig out.
One more quick note... I shaved my head last night, which I heard is good
for at least 10 more watts...can anyone confirm this? heh. I probably lost
at least a pound of hair =P

Take care all!

Kev