3 Village Tour Road Race – Cat 4

Made the solo trip down to CT this weekend to race in the monsoon. And it was awesome racing in the rain!

So here’s my recap…

3, 10 mile loops with 1 good climb about 4 miles into each loop. Some solid rollers and punchy stuff along the way; winding maybe 500-600m punchy climb to the finish. I raced this course 2 years ago and finished 4th as a 5 and really enjoyed the course; actually one of my fav’s. I figured with rain and constant punchiness, that something would have to give. My plan; I decided that I was going to attack on each loop during the climb. I figured 2 things would happen; either I would get away, or shred the legs off the field by the final lap. First lap thru, sitting 10 wheels back or so, attack the climb, come over in 1st, create a gap of probably less than 100m. Get reeled back in. Keep the pace high, take turns pulling hard with 2 other guys at the front for the majority of the first lap. Second lap, more of the same. Sitting same spot in the peloton, attack again, create a gap with one other rider (but we were scattered); tho less this time. Fades quicker and brought back together. Sit in at the back for the rest of the second loop. 3rd loop, sitting 20 wheels or so back (too far, needed to move up quicker before the climb), hit the climb hard again, come over in 2nd…too bad a break of 4 guys hit the climb hard as well and had separated from the main pack. I move to the front, pull hard and start close it, but I don’t have the gas to finish it. Try to get other riders involved, but only 1 other guy has some legs left to do some work and bringing the 4 riders back seems ill fated. To be polite, this did not please me!!! I hate “letting” a group get away like that. Pace stays comfortably high, rain pelting us; another winding punchy climb about 3 miles from the finish, crash, a group of 4-5 goes down on the inside. I’m clear – on the outside. 1 guy fall off the break and gets reeled back in. Sit in for 2. Final climb to the finish – right hand turn and up we go on a winding short climb. Pass a couple on the way to the line (I needed to set up more towards the front of the pack entering the turn); thru the line finally 11th.

Only Jamestown left for the road season with work really picking up and school back in session. This year has been a blast and great riding with you guys. Learned a ton – but still much more to take in. Really looking forward to next year and taking it to the next level with all the t-holders!