Owasco Flyer - like an egg

[Len_E]

I rode the Owasco Flyer in central New York. It's a very fun and intense race around one of the Finger Lakes. It's only 36 miles but feels a hell of a lot more with more than 2100 feet of climbing, most of which happens in the last 15 miles. It has a mass start - all 200 registered participants, kicking off at the same time. This sounded ridiculous but it worked out pretty well with the serious racers massed in the front. Because of the speed at the start, the first 15 miles are pretty flat, gaps formed fairly quickly with about 60 or so riders off the front averaging around 30 mph. This group was loaded with local teams featuring a bunch of cat 1s, 2s, and 3s. There were two hill primes, one at 20 mile mark and one at the 26 mile at the top of the highest climb of the day. By the time we neared the hills on the second half the team dynamics were becoming clear. I was happy staying around mid-pack, taking a few runs up to the front. I was too far back on the first hill prime and found myself struggling to not get gapped because the speed was pretty intense over the top and on the subsequent attack. I was interested in taking a shot at the 2nd hill prime but didn't want to burn too many matches since there were only about 10 miles remaining. As we got to the base of the climb I positioned myself behind a few guys, each with a teammate. The climb had 3 sections so I took off on the 2nd, got a gap and survived, barely, to take the prime. As soon as I got past the line two cat 1s from the Mount Borah team blew past me. I gasped and sputtered but managed to hold onto the last wheel. About a mile later one of them simply disappeared and we didn't see him again taking the race by 30 seconds. The last 1.5 miles had 4 painful hills with the finish at the top of the 4th. I had ridden this road many times and figured if I was in a good position and feeling spirited I'd take off at the start of the 3rd hill. The 4th was vicious and it would probably be dominated by the teams as they pulled their leaders to the line. I took off at the base of the 3rd hill and pedaled like a madman on the descent leading into the 4th climb knowing there was no chance of recovery and hit the last climb with a gap. But with about 25 meters to theline one quad cramped and two more pedal strokes later the other one seized up. I tried to push through it figuring I only had a few more strokes to go but then I saw this girl's panicked face in the crowd screaming THEY'RE RIGHT BEHIND YOU! Unfortunately, it didn't matter. Both legs were spent. With 10 meters to go, the line in sight, I cracked...like an egg. Next thing I know whooosssshh. I go from 2nd to 9th in 5 meters and can do nothing about it. Just devastating. It's been nearly a week now and all I can think about is how much the hill prime took. I got some nice swag for the Prime and won the Masters division and $25 so it could have been worse. I also finished ahead of a few cat 2s and 3s so it was a pretty good race for me but could have been much better.

[rusto]

Great report, Len!

[onegeardoug]

You strong. Like bull. You smart......like bull.

[Bruce]

Eggsellent! Put that one in the V column.