10 Second version:

* I’m nervous.
* Damn race! You scary!
* Man, am I a baller or what?
* No, you’re an idiot x 4
* Get off my wheel!
* Where the hell did you guys come from?
* Sorry, hope you didn’t crash.
* LAAATEEER!!!

Just hang in there and get through your first race. I kept repeating it over and over to myself on the 8am ride to Wells. It was cold, I was crawling along, but my heart rate was flying.

Checked the list at the start and found that no other Thresholders would be accompanying me in the “C” race. Fast bastards! That’s ok. Just find a solid wheel and stick to it.

How do these things start? Is there a gun? Do we roll into it? Am I in a good spot on the line? Damn everyone looks intimidating in their kits. I managed to position myself 4 deep on the outside in the lineup. The Marshal drones on about crashes and cars on the course. Encouraging. Don’t get dropped. Don’t crash. He says to rollout so we do.

Damn, race! You scary! The first turn was terrifying. I ended up doing a lot of shoulder rubbing with guys around me, but managed to hold my line and move up the hill away from the animals in the back. Per Jason’s advice I found a strong, steady rider and glued myself to him. The first couple of laps I stayed there watching the ebb and flow of the race; String out around the first corner and up the hill, jockey for position on the backside, bunch up on the curve before the front straight, and surge across the line toward the corner. Unless there was a significant break, it looked like the race would come down to a packed sprint.

Over the next few laps I tried to experiment with moving around the lead pack. Most of the time, doing so would result in losing positions and falling back. A few times I got pushed off the wheel of the big guy I was following which resulted in a face full of wind, some curse words, and a general understanding that you could quite easily intimidate people out of positions.

By the tenth lap, I was very comfortable and getting confident enough to be able to start controlling my surroundings. It turns out that though confidence can feel good, it can also totally screw you. On the thirteenth lap I got a bit ambitious and found myself hammering for the front. What an idiot. It turns out it’s a lot of work up there and a quick look back confirmed that the world was glued to my wheel. Save it for trying to gap Randall on hills during group rides. I slowed, they slowed. I went left, and they went with me. Damn. I blasted through the first corner and then immediately went wide. I was able to shake them and settled back into the pack. Two laps to get my heart rate under control.

The bell signals the last lap and all of a sudden the entire field is on top of me. Brutal. It was like a tidal wave of leeches engulfed the front of the pack. Amazing how a race can just change like that. Felt bad for the guy who was pulling us all along for the last five laps. The hill provided enough opportunity to swing outside and get in a better position. The final curve found me way outside, fifteen deep, and looking for an exit. I found a way out at the expense of a guy who was overlapping my wheel. Bump and rub. Luckily he stayed upright and I had a clear view of the line. Hit the gas, showed them my later dance (LAAATTTEEERR), and brought one home for the team.

I’m hooked now. This shit is awesome!

-Devo