It was a larger than usual field. 18 to be exact. The weather was warmer than normal.
After a more stern than normal “no center line” warning from Aero, the race was underway.
The return to normalcy followed. In typical Cat 4 style, we melted the pavement at 14 mph. “Like your bike”, “Cool sunglasses”, “What’s your favorite color”…just kidding on the last phrase but I swear to God the first two phrases were uttered.  Breaking for no apparent reason and zigging and zagging were rampant. We looked somewhat  like a heard of squirrels.
About 8 miles in the pace quickened and the field split. The siesta was over. I held on. Then a couple of miles later, a field of 7 broke off. Da*n triatheletes! Okay I am jumping to conclusions here but that is what I suspect. Suzanne J was out there with that break…..see what I mean.
That left Alane and Sandy from Velo Force and Ashley and I in a chase group. I must admit. We got it together pretty well and pace lined on along at a pretty good clip. Eventually we caught up to Suzanne who had fallen off of the attack group. “Hop on the pain train” I exclaimed. She did so. The train kept a rollin on down the track. I guess about 7 miles out we lost Alane and Sandy. Hats off to those guys. They are true professionals! Heck, Alane had been on a horse more recently than she’s been on a bike and is probably at least ten years older than I am. You go girls! Way to hang!
That left Ashley, Suzanne, and myself. We were more lilke a pack of wild dogs heading towards the finish. The paceline thing kind of went out the window. In a VERY rare moment of self-control, I held off and let them pull me the last couple of miles. The 200 meter sign came up. I saw some room to the right of Suzanne. I got out of the saddle and gave sprinting my best shot. About 100 meters later, I realized how much I dislike being out of the saddle and sat down for a bit then got back out of the saddle at the last 50 to not look like a total slack a**.
It was extremely gratifying to actually win a sprint.
Hats off to Suzanne and Ashley.  Suzanne took 8th, Ashley 9th.You guys are soooo strong! Ashley, it was your first race and you looked like you have been doing this for years. Can’t wait to tear it up with you in 2010! You are gonna go far!   Suzanne, you will definitely be a force to be reckoned with. You will have your day super spinnin sista!
Congrats to the attack group! I didn’t know any of them but they put on one heck of a show.
Nice job Kube taking 11th and Nicole for hanging tough with some injuries and ailments. You guys are tough!
I don’t know a lot about the open race other than a couple of highlights. Chris won. WAY TO GO CHRIS!!!!!!!!
Chris is so consistenly incredible that I think that it often goes overlooked. I apologize for any oversights. You are truly legendary!  Alice and Teresa reported achieving some personal bests.  Steph, our fearless president, also turned in a stellar 5th place finish in her first race as a Cat3. WAY TO GO STEPH!!!
Congrats to all on a race well done on a beautiful last day of February.
REV ON
BR