TWO High Five Bicycles in the race. Byrnesie and I both debuted new bikes. We both had Hollywood mentioning them when we were on/off the front. And that we were.
Cleary got a bit of a gap about 2 or 3 laps in. I tried to shut him down. Somehow we both ended up with a bit of a gap. Then I tried to get him to ride harder. He tried for a second and then reintegrated. I kept on. Then Ben Scherer (Brones) bridged up to me and kept me out of the headwind for a lap or two. That was VERY appreciated. I couldn't have asked for anything more. I wanted to keep moving, so I kind of untintentionally rode him off of my wheel. Few more laps alone and I see a Birchwood rider in the behind me. I didn't know who it was. I kept it up. He got closer, so I slowed a bit. Around turn 2 I saw him around the corner a ways back. I sat up and yelled at him to get on. He did. It was Nate! That was awesome! We rode off for another I have no idea how many laps. 5? 6? I have no memory of individual laps. We worked to together for few laps. Then Sam (Synergy) bridged up, or brought the field together. I couldn't tell. We re-integrated. I got back to about 5th wheel, and then decided that the pack wasn't the place for me. I didn't even think I'd finish this race, let alone do anything important. I gassed it again just before the finish line and went off alone for another 4 to 6 laps. Apparently the group was surprised by that. I think it was the coolest thing that I've ever done on a bike.
I got two primes in that sequence. I also allowed for the team (LG, Dis, and Byrnesie) to do very little work in the group. I got caught again with 6 to go. Right when Dis decided that that was the time we should be accelerating for the finish. Mark took the front and spit me out the back in about a half a lap. He's a monster. I just wanted to finish at this point. I rode alone by myself (yelling at one of the other Birchwood riders in the race to ride faster. I know he's strong. I've seen it. Don't know his name, though. The one that wears white shorts!)
I was very frightened of getting lapped in the last three laps. I was dragging. I desperately wanted to finish. I did. I gave the last little straight all I had left in the tank. Probably looked really silly sprinting with absolutely NO chance of getting any more spots, but I don't care. I have a thing about finishing strong. I don't care if you're dead last or first. Coasting across the line is disrespectful of the race. If you're coasting at the end, you're not racing. I come to race. Always.
Yeah. I spent a long time away. Hollywood mentioned High Five Bicycles a bunch. And I can't thank him enough for it. I had an amazing time on the bike, and I want to do it again. I know that I am bad at moving through the field when the pace is high. I need to stay out of it, I guess. I am kicking myself for not gunning it when I had a little gap off the front with 3 to go in the 4/5 race. I let confidence beat me when I didn't recognize anyone, and therefore didn't know who was strong. I'll be honest, I actually thought I was one of the stronger riders in the field. I thought a top 10 was a given. I was WAY wrong. That won't happen again.
Joyous post race. Not so much during. Me and LG. Could have gone better. Couldn't have been more fun.
you were awesome. keep up that fine form.
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