Lone Tree Criterium

Shortly afterward, I hopped off my bike, ran 10 laps with it over my shoulder, lapped the field, and won. It was a sight to behold.

I went into the race more rested than usual, because I completely fudged up the date of the race and drove up on Saturday, one day early... Yeah, it wasn't one of my best moments. So, on top of my normal pre-race routine that I did on Friday, I effectively had a rest day on Saturday.

The course was a 1.25 mile loop. A little long for a circuit race, but that's fine with me because I really am not a Crit guy. The course was reminiscent of Runway Plaza in Michigan, with a hill before the finish.

I felt pretty strong throughout the race, and with a smaller than normal field size, the pace wasn't blistering. Around lap three or four I felt good while rounding the corner leading up to the hill, and I just decided to push the pace and see how everyone was feeling. I didn't expect it to be a race winning move or anything, but I was feeling strong and I figured I should make the big guys work a little harder. The field latched back on 300m later, and I sat up.

The race was smooth, only one little bump, but the riders had it under control. Three laps from the finish one guy broke off the front and it stuck until for a lap, but two to go the pace picked up and he was caught. Unfortunately, I had miscounted laps and put myself in a good position for the sprint one lap too soon. I didn't sprint for the line, but I had spent matches too late in the race. So, for last lap I hung on until the hill, moved up, but didn't respond with a 200m when coming to the line. I passed a few guys who gave up before they crossed the line, but that's all I had.

Compared to last week's DNF (I was relegated to this, I never gave up), today was fun, and a learning experience. I got on the front, commanded, and made the race for the first time. Going off the head count after crossing the line, I came in around 14th place.



Moral of the weekend: Don't come too soon.

Credit for the photos: Eileen Brodie