April 25, 2008 - Battenkill

Race Report: Battenkill

The 30+ masters were fast, really fast. After a largely ceremonial loop without much action, and true to expectation the pack stretched out on the first climb and then split on Juniper hill. I set my all time high Heart Rate at 205 on that hill. Some yahoo jammed me into a pile of sand and I ended up running my bike up the hill. Actually made up a few positions with the run.There was a long rolling dirt section where folks started getting organized again. Through the bridge and then Nate and I were in the second pack, Curtis in the lead. Geoff was somewhere.We finally got organized into a rotating paceline and were pulling in a few scattered groups of riders. Problem was that each time we chased one down they grabbed onto the pack and the paceline fell apart. We stayed on the gas for awhile but it became apparent we were not going to be getting the lead pack without a herculian effort. Plus we were not being effecient at all. A couple guys taking turns at the lead, but a pack that was not invested in a pursuit. Figuring there were mtb pros, former olympians etc.. in the lead pack it was wise we didn't stay on the gas. I had been on the front trying to get something together for too long and needed to eat, spin and recover. A couple riders tried to go off the front, and were quickly chased down and spit out the back. Nate and I were in a good pack and we were content that this was the pack we were going to be racing against, not the nuts with Curtis. It was important to remember that this was a 55 mile race.We came up to meeting hill, which is a series of undulating climbs on dirt, just a little too long and steep to power climb, but you can get most of the way. Loose dirt with scattered rocks. I was whizzing down the back on one of the climbs, trying to stay away from the rocks and PSSSSSTTTTTT!!!! Mother fucker!!!!! Being a yo-yo I didn't bring a tube as there was neutral wheel support...in front of me. Sat by the side of the road watching the pack run off the horizon. Stopped my cyclometer and stewed in my anger. There were a lot of flats that day. One dude was riding it out and shouted at me to join him. Hmmmm, ride my carbon rim for 30 miles. Ah...no way.After around 15-20 mins Geoff appears. gives me a tube, we inflate it with a micropump, restart my cyclometer and figure I'll race the clock and see how I would have ended up. Geoff was pretty spent. I saw him early in the race in one of the lead groups on hill climb and I think he blew a gasket. Sorry bub. After I checked behind and did not see the great pale face, I went solo. It was still a gorgeous day, a great course and my bike kicked ass. Was chasing down stragglers, solo for most of the rest of the event. Despite three water bottles I was super parched. Plus my normal concentration of cytomax was way too high for the day. Was down to a few sips of cytomax with 15 miles to go and then saw a bunch of church ladies handing out water. SWEET! Grabbed one, poured in into my bottle and was saved. Found a Cat 3 guy who flatted out of his group and grabbed his wheel for a bit. Dropped him on a descent and then hammered the last 5 miles in. Final time was 2:34. That would have put me in the lead pack for the 4's. Damn.

Lessons;Bring as much fluid as you can fit unless there is someone waiting for you in the feed zone

Always have a tube and CO2Race the 4's

I'll be running 700x25s next year

Don't be afraid to dismount and run juniper

This race rules!