Durand
(report by Dan Schueller
The Masters 45+ 3-lap race of 35 willing participants went something
like this:
During the first lap I rode near the front watching for Gordy Paulson
to attempt a breakaway (he’s a national champion time trialer who
doesn’t have much of a sprint so I knew he would go at some point).
At the top of the last hill on the first lap he took off super hard and
3 of us were able to go with him. After a mile we had a sizeable lead
when Gordy pulled off the front and suggested a rotation. I was near my
red line just hanging on so when my turn at the front came I blew. For
the next 3 rotations I stayed at the back and didn’t pull through
because I was at my pain limit just drafting at such an insane pace.
Finally I had to ease up and I went back to the pack (this was the first
time I can remember being in a break and unable to hold on).
A mile later the same thing happened to Dave Herbert from Silver
Cycling and the break was now two. The rest of the race I just rode
near the front of the group waiting to win the sprint for 3rd. At the
start of the last hill my chain came off and I had to get off my bike to
put it back on. Then I rode all out up the hill and surprisingly caught
the group (which was down to about 10) before the top. In the last mile
I was in perfect position for the sprint as me, Gordy Devers and Tom
Russell were at the front taking up the whole lane. I waited until
quite late to start the sprint because I thought the group behind
couldn’t get by because of the yellow line rule (I didn’t know that
we could cross it during the finish sprint). Then two Silver Cycling
guys went by in the other lane and I started sprinting but couldn’t
make up for their jump even though I hit 40.0 mph. So I finished 3rd in
the sprint (about 4 inches behind 2nd), 5th overall. Gordy Devers
finished strong in 8th.
The Cat 4/5 Gophers did even better with a 2nd (David Schueller) and
7th (Rich Bergstrom). A good day had by (almost) all.