Northfield Heat (Schueller)
From: Dan Schueller
Date: Jul 5, 2007 10:44 AM
40 racers (Cat 3/4), 26 laps of .7 mile course in 43:45 (25.0mph
average speed, 35 max). Pace was fast from the start and it felt hot.
I wasn’t sure why I was having such a hard time getting to the front
of the race but later realized it was most likely due to the 25.0 mph
average speed which is the fastest of the 4 Nfield Crits I’ve done
(the last three years the speed was 23.9, 24.1 and 24.5). 25mph is
very fast for this course and to put it in perspective, the Cat 123
race winner also averaged 25.0mph, although over 70 minutes instead of
50. Anyway, I got to the front a couple times but mainly rode midpack.
I wanted to win a priem but was never even close. Ended up 19th and
David took 18th. David did great and was often riding where I wanted
to be, in the top 5-10, and I’m sure I was hurting more than he was.
Joe Hamlin (Silver Cycling strong sprinter and cat 2 track rider) was
also struggling and riding back where I was but with 2 turns to go
there was an opportunity to sprint to the front. I didn’t take it,
and regretted it later, but Joe went and he ended up taking 3rd. I
really should have gotten on his wheel when he went but for some
reason I hesitated and then it was too late.