Warda Race Report- A New Beginning

Last November I was sitting on my couch, watching some basketball when my phone started vibrating. I saw that I had a message from Cap Carter, who is an official for USA Cycling. Since I won the Fall TMBRA Series, he suggested I should move into Cat 1 and start racing with the big boys. My win in the series had more to do with the fact I showed up to every race than my actual race ability. After about a 30 minute conversation, we agreed I would move up and give it a shot.

On Sunday morning, I showed up for the first race of the Spring TMBRA Series. I was talking with Josh De Boisblanc. The conversation turned to the strong headwind on the start loop. He jokingly asked me if I would lead him into the wind. I laughed it off, but I figured I didn't have a real shot at winning the race so if I could help some one out, it would be a good built in excuse if I fail miserably. As we made the right hand turn into the wind, I made my move. Coming from the back of the field, I made my way to the front. I rolled up to the front and told Josh to grab my wheel. We made our way around the pond and as we approached the woods Josh passed me and hit the singletrack first. I figured everyone else was right there and would pass, but no one else was there so I went in second. I wanted to ride the single track near the front to get and idea of the trail speed of the fast guys. When we came out of the trail and headed toward Gas Pass I was sitting in 4th place. Then it all fell apart.

Going up the climb to Mule's Trace I attacked the back of the pack and stayed there. My race was pretty uneventful from there until the end of the 3rd lap. I started catching 2 riders in my category and we started yo-yoing. I couldn't catch either rider but I was keeping them in sight. As we finished the 3rd lap, I wanted to make sure I held my position in the race. I was keeping one of the riders close and as we exited the front singletrack I was able to close the gap. At this point, I knew I just needed to keep the hammer down. At the top of the Palisades climb, I was passed by Chauncey Deller and lost a place but since I made the earlier pass, my goal was still intact. I finished out my final lap and promptly collapsed to the ground. My back apparently didn't like what just happened. I was lucky enough to have some friends around to babysit me. Darryl was nice enough to get me a couple bottle refills.

So looking back at my race I feel like I met most of my goals. My 3 lap time was considerably faster than last year, 8 minutes to be exact. I didn't want to get caught by a few friends in the age groups that started after me and none of them caught me. I beat people that actually finished.

So I rode 4 laps in 2:12 with a 1:35 3 lap time. I was 9 out of 13 riders