Atellboro Crit Race Report

[taudep]

"Legless in Attelboro"

The title isn't actually true, but it's how I felt warming up. The Cat 5's did 20 laps and as you can imagine the first 15 weren't very interesting. Everyone just settled in a nice groove and rode safe. I sat in the sweet spot between 5th and 10th wheel. I scanned the riders to see who was going to be my virtual lead out man, and settled on 527 and 521, they looked fast and were riding smooth.

With 5 to go, things started heating up. We started to stretch single file, and I let a few wheels go by and was probably around 15th position. I took some water and told myself, I'd get back to 5th wheel with two laps to go.

Two laps to go, and the train was now smoking. I couldn't, however, move up on my position, because every time I poked my head out, I had to work too hard. Where are those wheels I'm supposed to be following? In front of me. Then finally the crux move was with 1.5 laps to go, just after the top of the hill. Things really started flying around turn 2 with 1.3 laps to go, that's when I heard a crash behind me. Didn't know what happened because everyone was drilling it down the hill and we were single file with one to go.

Basically, it was a time trial for the last lap and I didn't have it in me to move up my position, and was working really hard just to stay on the train. After the last time down the hill, I noticed a couple riders driving peeling off the front. Little 10 foot gaps had opened up periodically on the train. And the rest of us just sprinted, but not many positions changed places.

Those wheels I was supposed to be following? The got 5th and 7th. I finished in 14th, which I'm not too happy with, but glad it was still a bunch finish even though it wasn't the top 10 that I've become accustomed to.

Also, this meets my 10 races as a Cat 5. So I can now move up. But, I'll probably finish the year out as a 5 since I only have a couple more road races that I'm doing, and then I can reassess fitness over the winter.

Doran and Len were there, too, they have tales to tell.

[Doran Abel]

Since I was in this Cat 5 race with Taud, I'll post here. But my experience is closer to Len E's in the Masters. Len E was watching us and I had no idea he had gone down too.

As compared with Taud, my legs actually felt great for a change - allery season mostly over. I rode around 10 - 15 from the front most of the time trying not to get too far back where the crashes happen - and the little bump before turn 1 seemed suprisingly easy even on the last laps. Would have enjoyed trying to lead out Taud, since my sprint is weaker, but the crach he heard on the last lap (turn 2 of course) was me. Someone ran me into the outside gutter and I hit the curb with both wheels and went down. I was probably around 15th at the time. Mostly just road rash on my left side - a bit of a hip hointer. Wrist hurts a bit, but I don't think it is fractured. I picked myself up, straightened out my handlebars, put my chain on and finished. Of course the race marshal put me a lap down so I had them correct it. Oh well, I can only dream about a top 10 or 15 finish (instead of 30). The right side road rash goes along with my left side from the MTB skills clinic a couple of weeks ago.

Tuad - would have caught up with you and chatted for a few minutes, but had to hit the medics for a little wound cleaning.

[taudep]

Glad you walked away. It sounded very eerie. There's still a few more races left, so next time you'll be right up there.

[michaelcole]

sorry to hear about the carnage.
glad everyone is ok

[Doran Abel]

I rode yesterday (Sun.) for a recovery ride - sort of teaching a beginner friend the rules of the road - and road in to work in Boston this morning (Mon.) so I am in good shape. No serious body damage. I tore up my handlebars a bit plus out of aligment with front wheel, brake/shifter levers damaged but usable, but my Ti fame seems to be mostly untouched - new wireless computer even survived. Bike in shop and riding my late 1980's antique steelie.

[Doran Abel]

thanks Ron, I am old and not particularly fast (Cat 5), but hey I enjoy the sport and competing a bit even if finishing in the main group or on the same lap is "win" for me

I enjoy reading about your boys and the CF team - my son is almost age 10 so we'll see - he does a lot of sports so I am not pushing him about biking although he like to do some road riding with me and perhaps a little cross this fall