CCCX
Fort Ord Seasode, CA (35+45+/1,2,3,4,5) 5 Laps
Field
Size: 7
Placing:
4 (1st in 35+ group)
Start
Time: 12:35 pm (5 laps)
Teammates:
None
Average
Speed: 19.9 MPH, Top Speed 42.7 MPH
Average
HR: 163 Max HR: 187
Elevation
Ascent: 1726 Ft.
Weather:
73 degrees avg. Windy
Well I decided last minute to
register for the CCCX Fort Ord. This is
a fun course and probably one of the courses I will try to score some upgrade
points on in 2014. I had to register for
the open 35+/45+ group because I was getting off duty and a 12:35pm start time
worked perfect. Only 3 pre registered
and 6 guys at the start line. Turns out
I was the only 35+ guy so I got 1st place without even
starting! Seeeeee you have to show up to
win!
Race is off! We were doing 60 minutes of racing. There were 3 racers from CoreTechs Cycling, 1
from CyclesFanaticRacing (Keith DeFiebre), 1 from Don Chapin, and 1 from
Suffolk-Sunpower. A CoreTech rider attacked
the field right after we started and everyone responded. That would be the 1st lap the
entire time. I pretty much sat in the
group and matched every attack. The
CoreTech guys were just taking turns playing this game. 3rd lap around the Suffolk guy
tried an attack on the uphill after the start finish. We all chased. Doing this course last year I got dropped
after a few of these accelerations. This
year it felt awesome to be able to look at these uphills and accelerations as
not a big deal! I felt strong this entire
race. Each lap I was trying to be 2-3rd
wheel as we descended the back side to the finish line. On the 4th lap after the finish I
decided to try by own attack. I hammered
it hard and didn’t look back. Everyone followed
and then I soft pedaled to get the group to move around me. We all pretty much took it really easy on the
4th lap. Lots of soft pedaling
and guys looking at each other. The final
lap was pretty much led the entire time by Suffolk. He was trying to attack the group on each of
the climbs on the backside of the course.
A strong headwind was present also.
I was last wheel in our group and couldn’t move up. I was getting hurt on these attacks but
staying with the guys. I tried to move
up in position for the descent but I decided to get back in the group for
protection rather than move out into wind and burn some matches. As we approached the right turn to the finish
2 CoreTech guys, CyclesFanatic, and Don Chapin launched an attack. I was passing the Suffolk guy and couldn’t
match them. I began my sprint, and
caught the lead out guy for CoreTechs at the line.
Finished strong! Learned
a lot by watching how these experienced racers were attacking each other. Got a good race in the legs.
My next race is Mt Diablo HC TT June 22!
Thanks
to SJBC Racing!
Thanks
to Concept Cyclery of Morgan Hill
Thanks
to Voler!
Thanks
to Cytomax!
Thanks
to Vittoria Tires!
Thanks
for reading!
Thanks
to my wife and family for coming out on Father’s Day!
