Deja Vu: Wells Ave #2
I have to say that I avoided Wells Ave. last year based on the stories of crashes in the ‘C’ race. I think I missed out. The vibe at the race is great. BRC does a great job of keeping it low-key and making sure everyone is safe and having a good time.
I’ve met quite a few people from other teams and everyone seems to be in a great mood – just excited to be out racing after a long, New England winter. It’s been a great experience.
Yesterday’s ‘B’ race (after we watched Devo win the ‘C’ race and get the Threshold High Fives all around) was a ton of fun.
The L-train left right on time – Lap #2. It’s really fun to see the reaction from the pack when he goes off the front. There’s a bit of panic, a bit of looking around, and then inevitably someone feels obligated to chase. After being pulled back I saw Cory take a flyer off the front.
He got quite a gap and stayed away for at least 3 laps, taking a preem. I don’t remember seeing him get reeled back in. I must have zoned out for that one.
A few laps later I saw the L-train with a Mover attached to it. Chooo Choooo!!! Nice lead out for the crafty dude I like to call ‘Da G’. He races real smart.
Somewhere around lap 12, Leo “Off the Front” L-train was off with 2 others. A 4th guy jumped to bridge up and I got a free ride to the break. We managed to hold the break with the help of some disguised Thresholders blocking. That’s not going to happen after Friday when the kits come in.
The days of anonymity are soon to be over.
I jumped from the back of the five man break to take the 1/2 way preem. Woo Hoo!!! $20. I’m on my way to a full-time career as a bike racer. I just need about 3,000 more preems to make ends meet.
It was great to see Bissanti, Cuke, Shane, Cory, L-train, Big Bird a.k.a Pep-ridge, Mover all hanging near the front.
I contested one more preem and got 2nd place behind a tenacious ECV guy (who told me he was 57 years old — great inspiration).
Bissanti did a great job holding pace and putting in a nice big pull with 3 laps to go. Not bad for a tri-geek.
I hung back a bit for the finish and ended up with a nice opening on the right. I had a ton of momentum but ultimately got boxed in close to the finish line and had no alternative but to let up(twice). I think I finished in 6th or 7th. It was a blast and a solid workout.
Numbers geeks:
24.8 mph avg
avg. 230 watts
max:1120 watts
30sec: 680 (new PB)
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:00 pm
It WAS fun. Slight correction–I didn’t get my prime while I was off the front…we got caught on the prime lap…waaaahh! I got it a few laps later.
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:34 pm
i think i am still sore trying to stay on cory’s wheel for his prime lead-out. after which I promptly cracked. lead out into pain!
March 24th, 2009 at 8:41 am
even more impressive, cory. it was hard to see with all those people in the way (said the slacker hanging in the back of the pack)