It rained, it poured, I sang in the peloton. Another Rafi fan from FLCC even helped me sing Mr. Sun when it started raining. It worked as it usually does and we had a dryish finish. Have to admit I am still excited by my best ever road race finish. Maybe I have found my niche. Maybe my strength is circuit races. Reading the race results today I am even more excited by my finish. I beat the college guy from VA Tech in the orange skin suit and aero shoe covers who I had followed the entire race. Who'd a thunk it?
Only three of us from Big Horn Velo, Jeff Frutchey, Ryan Morales and I, were able to race this weekend. We got there early and Jeff and I did about 4 warm-ups laps. I stretched in the van and had my usual preface red bull and half a cliff bar. I'm trying to gut down on dope I know. Two gus in my pocket and two full big water bottles. It was hot and humid and I sweating already. We lined up early at the starting area and Jeff Poulin of TVC came over "You guys look ready." Augie Mueller of STBC came over and liked our jerseys. It was very relaxed. Two women from SVCC raced with a pack of about 40 men. I was surprised when they were asked how many laps they wanted to do that they were going to ride all 20 with the men.
The now very familiar Kirwood Industrial race course was the venue for this race. 1.5 mile circuit. Nice little downhill, a windy back stretch and a small climb just at the start finish line. Race starts out quickly but today’s pack has more experience then our last time here. Our nemesis from last time here racer 79 thankfully was in the ESG qualifier race. Dark clouds from the east are bearing down on us. I give two to one odds we are going to get wet to the riders in the pack. The bet is for gu and you have to have it in your jersey pocket to bet. No one takes the bet. 3 to 1 odds. Still no takers. It rains so hard it hurts. "I don't think the really hard stuff will be coming down for at least 30 minutes"
A few riders try to sneak away but the pack constantly reels them in. The pack holds together very well. Nicely surprised that the women from SVCC are right there with us. Jeff and Ryan have been behind me most of the race but work their way forward with about ten laps to go. The prime bell rings and next time around Jeff crosses the line first. He needed a new hat!
3 laps to go the pace starts to creep up. There is a breakaway on the front. I yell at the pack to go chase them down. "If you’re so strong why don't you do it yourself?" OK I go to the front and drag the pack to the break. I let them swallow us back up. Rest recover and prepare for the finish. Last time around all still together. I warn the women stay near the yellow line it's safer.
On the last hill during the sprint I rocket forward like Cippolini chasing down drunks in an RV who've stolen his bike.
Cookie rider Charlie Hamilton cleared my path up the hill. I go to the right. Don't hit the start finsih sign. Throw the handlebars at the line and I beat Ryan. Was it me or was finisih in slow motion. I was 6th Ryan 7th and Jeff was 10th. A good finish, average speed was 22.98 mph. The women of SVCC were all smiles and said how nice we all were to them until the finsih when we were all elbows. Next week is the Wellsboro Flyer.
TVC Cat4-5 Results
Juniors:
1. Adam Farabaugh
2. Eli Robinson, #81
3. Hannah Sick, #80
4. Adam Luban, #82
Women Cat 4:
1. Christine Kananogh, #8 SVCC
2. Youlin Diaz, #7 SVCC
Men Cat 4-5
1. Ad Stabel, #364 Central New York Cyclist
2. Mike Kumiega, #351 RUUD Racing Team / TVC
3. Kurt Woodruff, #367 RUUD Racing Team/Tioga Velo Club
4. Charles Hamilton, #366 FLCC/Chris Cookies/Swan Cycles
5. James Randall, #361 team Scarr-ommegang
6. Robert Nunnink, #350 Big Horn Velo
7. Ryan Morales, #347 Big Horn Velo
8. Sam Corcoran, #342 VA Tech
9. Phillip McCarthy, #357
10. Jeff Frutchey, #349 Big Horn Velo
11. Gregg Drumm, #363
12. Scott Ouderkirk, #368
13. Mike Meier, #370
14. Peter Blenkiron, #353
15. Ben Pritchard, #374
16. Jeff Swing, #346
17. Keisuke Ingue, #355
18. Judd Speer, #359
19. John Ormsby, #344
20. Joe Walker, #343
21. Jack Ruckhum, #371
22. Pete Kocher, #375
24. Gary Graham, #372
25. Wayde Herneissey, #354
