the start/finish banner couldn’t have been any more self explanatory. our e4 race started extra early because race promoters didn’t have a cat5 race – steve and I showed up a hair before 6am to get ready for the race at 7am. I warmed up on the trainer to get my legs going for the short 40 minute race ahead. oddly enough, it didn’t feel awkward being on the bike after resting for a whole week. my knee was nagging at me, but I figured for the last crit of my season, it was worth it.
I headed over to the closed course to ride around for a few minutes before the race started. justin was out there, ready to cheer us on as his ribs and collarbone healed up. at the line, we were about 40+ riders deep: steve (chica sexy), percy (my twin in a freewheel kit), zach, vitaly (colavita), joshua (roaring mouse), and a handful of other people I’m probably forgetting. laps would count down once we had 10 to go. the course was fast, flat, and poorly paved in certain sections. once the whistle blew, I knew it was going to be a fun one.
the picture above is taken from the reverse direction of the race. from the start finish, the course turns 90* right into a wide street, 90* right again, 90* left, 90* right, and then a sweeping right turn towards the line. steve was positioning himself in the pack, he was riding really well near the front. after a couple laps, I decided to feel out my legs in the front of the group. I moved up the left side of the pack and picked a spot right in the front. after a lap or so, I pulled off, dropping back into the middle of the pack. and unfortunately, race officials announced a prime lap just as I slipped back. $30 cash and some girl scout cookies sounded great.
it was just my luck that the pace started ramping up as I tried to catch my breath in the pack. I was just a hair behind a rider, who was barely catching the draft of the pack. half the field was missing, and more continued to fall back as we went around. a two man break formed after some time, with a 3rd rider attempting to bridge. I was riding steadily in the back of the pack, picking my way past riders dropping off the pack. as we came around the only 90* left turn on the backside, a rider came in hot from the right. the two riders in front of him were already riding close. as the rider came into the turn, he realized he couldn’t squeeze in, his body went upright as he grabbed his brakes to slow. the bike went straight, taking out 5+ riders to the right of him. I was able to slide by the inside of the whole thing, nearly avoiding the collision. half of the metal barriers went down on the side as riders and their bikes smashed over everything. I was just hoping that everyone was okay. I saw marc standing there to watch the race as well, he was right in front of it.
we rode on, missing even more people from our pack. as we came back around, the accident seemed as if it was taken care of, only a san jose bike club cyclist stood on the side, waving to the ref. we had about 8 laps to go, the rider could still snag a free lap. we came around, and there he was, getting a push from the neutral zone. joshua from roaring mouse reeled in the 3 man break, we were all back together. steve slipped back towards me and it became clear that neither of us had the legs to hang on the front and sprint for a win. I was infinitely okay with this outcome. I was/am just glad that we avoided the crash, and the individuals involved weren’t seriously injured.
I honestly have no idea who won, it wasn’t anyone I knew. as I was packed up to leave, I saw jimmy (taleo) and remember that fergus and dave (chica sexy) would be racing in the e3′s. I figured I should stick around to watch them, it was still hilariously early on a sunday morning.
my supersix’s doppelganger. jimmy recently bought a quarq for his setup. he’s got 22 points so far, and he’ll be a cat2 by the end of the season, no doubt. nothing short of impressive, considering he started the season as a cat5. I’m really stoked for him because acquiring points isn’t easy, no matter what kind of racing a person is doing.
while walking back to the corner where I saw marc, I saw percy chilling at starbucks. he was contemplating doing the 35+ cat4 race…after already racing the e4 race. percy is another great motivator, the guy is a dad, still races, and still places. marc, steve, vitaly, and I watched from the 90* left as the e3 race started. fergus, dave, naveen and joseph (metromint), ryan (team mike’s bikes), and jimmy were all racing.
small breaks formed, but nothing stuck. everyone was riding really well, notably fergus who was top 10 every single lap. with two laps to go, we migrated to the start/finish. on the second to last lap, there was an accident on the backside of the course. jimmy went down, and a handful of others, from what he told me. big bummer, but luckily, everyone seemed okay.
it was an awesome course to race and watch. thanks to justin for coming out and cheering us on. my last crit, a success.
