Bak0 and other ramblings

I apologize for my lack of recent bloggage- work has been BUSY and it is only going to get busier so I will do my best to keep this blog up and running.

It is a little late for a full fledged CAT 4 race report and my memory of the race has faded a bit so I will just touch on a few key elements of the race.

I attacked early and had a nice little gap going into the first little hill. The main objective was not to stay away but encourage a chase as there was already a rider with quite a larger gap on the field up ahead. I didn't want to be the one chasing, but I figured if a couple of us also went up the road the field would respond. They did and the pack caught me about mid way up the climb and we caught the solo rider at the top of the climb. The cross/ head winds were pretty fierce but not epic... The final move was made about 2 miles from the finish. It was a counter attack by a local rider with a large Team present. Unlike most cat 4 teams these guys rode great together, are super nice, and I always look forward to seeing them at races. I don't know the actual name of the Team but I know they have black and white kits that say finish line on the caboose. I was all alone so I knew It wasn't up to me to chase so I was content to hide out in the pack. I also knew that the finish line was father then it appeared so I made the decision to hang back and wait for people to die. The sprint started early and riders began to die left and right. The real problem turned out to be navigating around all the riders who were sitting up. It wasn't the execution that did me in this race it was the tactic. I feel like I raced a smart hard race. I displayed some degree of patience, but just waited a little too long to jump. Last race I went a little too early so maybe this Sunday I'll hit it just right.
I ended up 11Th- although I swear I beat the guy who was 10Th. I was tired, dehydrated, and Hungry and didn't feel like contesting the decision b/c so far I've been wrong or ignored every time I've gone to an official with a complaint.
Too bad Kim ran out of film because her photo finishes are superb...

Looking back on this race it was a great experience. I didn't perform to my potential but I implemented the use of grey matter.
My instinct is not usual right in bike racing. I am figuring this out little by slowly. It is also extremely difficult for me to be patient.
But I have no doubts by the time the 2010 Elite national road race is upon us I will have honed the fine art of bicycle racing tactics, be a cat one road racer, be stronger then the Hulk when he is angry, make superman look like a sally, implement plan operation domination, and ride the field right off my wheel to a solo victory with enough time to look back, zip up, and throw my arms high up in the air in the form of a V (a move I have been practicing since I first started seriously riding about a year ago).

M: Purchased Caitlin's engagement ring down in LA- NO RIDDING!
T: Lunch time Hammer fest: took it easy down Glen Annie, uncontested on mid way spring, gaped out on the way back+ several pure sprints with Marco and Ron.
W: Lunch time easy spin, conversational pace up OSM+ 3 hour hammer fest with Zpack, Hammer, and G- Funk- Bonked hard core, had to be pushed up several hills by faithful team mates.
T: forgot my dang shoes so I missed the lunch ride- Hopefully I will get out of here a little early and climb OSM a couple of Times.