Race at the Lakes #1

Today I started my 2006 racing season at the Race at the Lakes Series presented by the Summit Freewheelers. This is always a great event that I look forward to every year, especially considering that it's only a 15 minute bike ride from my house to the start line. It's hard to turn down races so close to home, especially when my wife and son are able to come out to watch and/or play at the playground. Ok, so Nicholas was more into playing with his best friend Gavin then watching the bike race, but it was cool knowing that they were at least within shouting distance.

Today I would be joined by fellow Velo's Tim, Marshall, Matt, Jim and Mike in a field of around 40 riders, and with the sky beginning to clear we were off. Jim had a lot of energy stored up in his legs as he went immediately off the front at the start. He was brought back within the first lap but it was good to see Velo beginning to ride aggressively. There were no immediate counter attacks and the field stayed together for the next several laps. Somewhere early on in the race, I was following the wheel of a COBC rider when he made a move on the back climb. I decided to give it a shot and followed his wheel. I was ready to work but too out of breath to say anything to him, and being nearly on the rivet I just didn't quite have enough power to go around him and by the time I was able to recover to help our cause the field was reeling us back in. Time to sit up and recover back in the field. The remainder of the race was uneventful, but fast. The pace was really too fast for any breakaways to really stick so any attempts of going off the front would be destined to come back. I was one of those attempts with about 4 laps to go when I decided to try my attempt in the predictable location on the climb but as with every other attempt, I was quickly brought back. It was fun hearing someone shout out to the rest of the field to watch me, not sure that I'm that dangerous but I was flattered. This race, seemingly like all Cat 4 races at RATL would end up coming down to the bunch sprint. I was sitting in a comfortable position on the last half lap (+/-6th position) when I decided to follow the wheel of a rival team (I won't mention names because I don't want to make accusations) but he braked hard going into the last turn which forced me to brake hard which allowed most of the field to come flying around us at that point. I figured at that point that I might as well just sit up because a field finish is the same whether I rolled to the finish in 30th position or 15th.
The first race of the season went well. I was able to test myself, see where my fitness lies and have some confidence for the next three in the series. I had a blast racing with my teammates again and I look forward to racing aside them again next week.

brian