Center City Criterium

When you hear someone go down it really motivates you to stay at the front.
A four corner course and three crashes; 75% is passing right?

Felt good to get a win.

A night of could, woulda, shoulda...

The start didn't really get announced so I rolled up to the line only find about 3/4 of field sitting there...oh great. Sostarting at the back is never fun. For some reason though I never got comfortable in the turns until about 15 laps to go. Then I'd move up 10-12 spots only to be slid back to where I was 2 turns later. I shoulda hit the gas and kept going instead of trying to slowly work my way up. Turn 3 was kinda hairy because of the setting sun in your eyes. I had a couple of guys come together in front of me about 6 laps in. Then about half way through just as I started moving up I overcooked turn 4 and ended up at the back again.

The high pace kept the attrition rate high.
The new bike performed well. Finally found the right seat position. It's having some additional adjustment made currently (Thanks Rick!). I forget who said it but it was knicknamed the stealth bike...

Good to see Mike came out ok.
I just ended up being very disappointed in myself.

Fast and furious. I love these crits. People yelling at everyone, crashes, no wheel-sucking-slow pace and then sprint at the line. I started at the start line near the rear of the field. So it took awhile to start moving up into the field, probably due to the worse case of cotton mouth I have had since the college days. I settled in and started to work my way through the field, which took awhile because of the pace. I eventually maintained position at about the front 1/3 of the field. The race was pretty uneventful, except a few breaks that never really got up the road. The last lap was intense and the pace increased, but I was in pretty good position. I took the inside line just behind Stubna and felt good so, I was hoping to rock a solid finish. Mike took the outside line a little wide and smoked a large cone on the side of the road. I swear Mike was perpendicular from his bike, but was holding on to the handlebars. It didn’t look pretty, but luckily Stubna just came out of it with some road rash. After that I just cruised to the finish, (were there was another crash) more concerned about getting back around to see if Mike was ok. I finished one place out of the money. Great job to Mark K. who won the 4/5 race.

7-8 miles too far for me. I had fun...I think...going into the 3rd corner was always interesting getting blinded,wondering momentarily what was in my way, then seeing again kept me praying for safety each lap. I also met one of those construction barrels that Mike met, but somehow managed to avoid crashing...somehow. Tried to stay in the first 1/3rd of the pack as long as I could, then after while first 1/2, then at 12 laps to go my legs just left and within a lap I was watching from the sidelines. A fun, fast race..now if I just get my legs to last 35 miles for Tyler's races. Congratulations Mark on your win. Man whatta sprint!

Gratz to Mark K. on the win!

I'm not sure I like courses without hills. I was in a few early breaks but nothing could stay away. Start of the last lap I was moving up, feeling good about the sprint when one of those nasty orange barrels who had been skulking around the racecourse came up and hooked my handlebars, not very sporting like.

To the people who were asking me when I'm going to wash off my fake tatoo, well, some of it abraded away when I crashed.

Some pictures from Wendy S. below.



Dave T. in action.




Mark K. money shot.




Mike S. in action.




Jim M. in action.