Square Lake
From: Dan Schueller
Date: Aug 13, 2007 12:10 PM
Nice Square Lake race reports, and strong results by many Gophers (Dan
W. or Martin, I’d like to hear about the Masters 4/5 race).
I was very happy with my Masters 35+ race which was 5 laps and combined
with the Cat 1-2s (34 total riders). Our first lap was super slow and I
just rode near the back. Then on the feed hill a group of 8 or so
rolled away and I didn’t even notice until they had a good gap. I was
confused why nobody was chasing them down so I figured most teams must
have had riders in the break. Since I had no teammates I attempted to
bridge with Charlie Anderson from GP. We rotated nicely for a couple
miles until he said he was giving up. I kept pushing on alone for
another mile until I knew it was hopeless. Thereafter I just rode with
the pack thinking my track racing would give me a good chance in the
final sprint. There were several break attempts but nothing worked
until two guys broke away with half a lap to go. Each time up the hill
I was one of the first to the top so on the last hill I pushed hard and
had a good gap over the whole field at the top. But on the flat, Jim
Cullen, Paul Rennert and Jay Henderson came by and I hopped on. At
about 300 meters Jay started the sprint, I got on his wheel but a few
seconds later the two Loon Staters sprinted by both of us. I then went
by Jay and tried to put my sprint in overdrive but that gear was just
not there after 70 miles and I couldn’t get around the two Loonies at
the line. So I finished 12 overall and 6th in M35+. I was pleased
though because one of my 5 goals for this year was to place top 10 in a
M35+ road race or crit.
I also love that course, I didn’t cramp and the neutral water saved the
day (I took 5 bottles). However I did take a pee break once and about
killed myself catching back up to the pack. And I beat Aric Hareland,
Charles Jacobs and Jay Henderson, how often can I say that (basically
never)?