Keith Berger

[djming]

Looks like I was the only MRC member to make the (wet) journey to Hartford this morning, although I did meet a guy who works at the Braintree Landry's (of course forgot his name).
Driving down on 84 I was questioning my decision as the stretch thru Ashford, Union, Stafford and a few more exits was just a blinding rain. Speeds down to 50 in spots. But come Tolland and into Vernon the rain had completely let up and it continued to be no more than periodic light rain for the duration of all races.
So this was not only my first race as a cat 4, but also my first crit. So why not do two? Started off with the 4/5's and got the feel of the course. Had trouble moving up, but progressively did so and tried to maintain a top 10-15 minimum position. Coming up on 4 to go and I was top 5 and felt like a good position. But then my major mistake with just before 3 to go everyone let up. So did I, but too much so and allowed myself to get swarmed and passed by way too many. Spent next two laps just trying to move up to at least contend for top 5-10, but finally realized it wasn't going to happen so eased off to conserve for race 2.
~80 minutes later lining up with the masters 40+. I knew this was going to be (slightly..) faster but damn, was I in for an immediate shock. Spent the first 3 laps just trying to not get dropped as legs took a bit to get warmed back up. Finally solidly latched on and basically spent the next 10-15 laps alternating with 4-6 others for the final spots of the main field. Lap 20-22 (of 30) I was actually recovering some and even moved up to a spot where I could clearly see the gap to 4-5 who were off the front. Something actually said, oh, what the hell, just try to bridge and see what happens when literally at that moment the big guns apparently woke up and I was almost instantly back to my position of protecting the rear guard. Just continued to try and hang on. Did so, and hey, at least I wasn't last of the main field. Quite the experience for me.

[Smudger]

Thanks for making the effort and turning out for the club. Crits racing is a different beast but nice job getting into it today. I bagged it along with Chris and Cratty who would have been able to help you out in the 40+. Sign up for the Longsjo crits where we will have a 40+ team racing.

[djming]

Longsjo is 50/50. Heading to NH for business Tuesday and a family visit (relatives from Maryland in town). My folks live near Conway, so if the weather is nice I might just have to take a few days for some White Mountain training. Maybe back for Saturday or Sunday.