April 28, 2008 - Sturbridge Race Report

Tony and I headed up at the crack of dawn to make an early start for Sturbridge. A lot of options for the 4's. You could start as a 4/5, a 4 or a 3/4. Great way to split up the 4's. Very well organized event that favored fast, strong climbers. 16 mile loop with a 500 ft climb through town leading to a hilltop finish. Most did 2 loops, the 1-3 and 3/4 did 3 loops. Rest of the course was fast rollers.Long neutral start, we left from the high school, went through town and up the hill. Over the crest of the hill and then race on. Pack stayed tight, few attacks off the front that were quickly reeled in. A lot of accordian action as the pack surged and slowed through the rollers. I don't think I got my HR over 150 that first loop. I had not ridden the course before, figured the hill would be key, but didn't recognize the approach until WHAM! Huge attacks off the front. I got unhinged and scrambled to match the accelerations. Two main packs with a lot of stragglers in between. I crested the hill with two other riders (including Mike Sam) and hoped to make up some time on the descent. (205# goes down real fast.) Quick sprints to keep the speed up on the short flats. Mike came off the back and it was me and a cycle loft guy taking turns at pulling. We found two more riders and got a 4 man rotating paceline set up. But the reality was, that we were not making time on the lead group. And we were getting chased pretty hard ourselves. Ater 5-10 miles of pacelines, most of it in the wind I was knackered. I sat up and waited as two of our group went off the front.Our pack kept the pace up. I tried to stay out of the front and recovered what I could. As we came into town this time I was a bit more prepared. Kept relaxed on the bottom of the climb, then wound it up and went off the front of our pack. Was pretty red-lined for most of the climb and finished alone at the top of the hill.There is no faking this race. You can't just sit in the pack and wait. I still have a long way to go climbing wise.