"To prepare for a race there is nothing better than a good pheasant, some champagne and a woman." -- Jacques Anquetil
"Ride lots." -- Eddy Merckx
First race of the year with excellent results.
Cat 5
Ryan Morales 2nd
Brain Klotz 7th
Bob Nunnink 19th missed 18th by 700ths of second
Jeff Frutchey 20th
Dave Prugh 23rd
We left Sayre at 5:30 the five of us traveling together to Bloomfield NY about 6 miles east of Canandaigua. Good timing and excellent map reading skills by Dave & Ryan allowed us to pre drive the race course. The course was described as a circuit race with each lap about 11 miles. The course is rolling hills the most Recommended gearing 11/12 - 23. Each group will have a neutral start from the staging area. Racing will begin at Gauss/Oakmont road intersection.
Looked like this
On the Preride we all decided this was not going to be as easy as described. Lots of ups and downs. Not many areas to rest.
Checked in and registered and even got timing chips for the bikes. 9:00 am we are off, 50 riders total. Neutral start was about 2 miles and included some nice hills. We were all very warm for the start. Beautiful temps in the 60's. Ok where do we start racing. It ended up being right near the finish line tent but it didn't really matter. The peloton is off
Basic stategy is to stay near front of pack, conserve energy, cover any breaks larger then 3, oh and not crash. This is a cat 5 race.
Pace first lap is easy and the peloton is realxed. Anyone from Canada? It doesn't matter if you loose the race if you kiss a Terry Girl.
How cool are pink wheels!
People shouting out slowing, next turn coming up, do you think Basso will ride the tour NOT!, All the usual stuff. Game plan is working. We are together as a team and protecting each other. Ryan was further back nicely situated.
Brian "Where's Dave?"
Bobby "We lost him beginning of second lap, pedal on"
I think i remember uttering a prayer Don't let me fall off the back. Lots of up and down surges. The worst was slowing by the leaders on tops of hills and the peloton having to brake while going uphill.
One rider is getting away too fast and it's about 5 miles from the finish. Dave and Ryan rev up the pace on the front and reel him in. Nice to see BHV leading the peloton. Cost energy though.
GVCC guy (one who was all over the road couple of times) tries to go through the middle. Rejected! Crash. Am I still up? That was close. Almost took me out! I later bandaged him at the finish. Even idiots get medical treatment from me. I did ask for his insurance card and his copay, however.
Three miles from the finish people start to take off. I tried to stay on the back. Jeff and I fall off with about 1/2 mile left in race. Ryan and Brian cover the attacks. Tough up hill finish. Ryan is just nipped by another rider who sat in just a little more then he did.
Jeff and I are finishing together. Anyone around us? Pretty far back. Get up the hill and finish Bob. Look over , were did he come from? Try to shift to sprint. Legs fail to cooperate. 19th instead of 18th.
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