Cat 4

Eric, Brian, and I headed north for a return visit to the first road race I ever entered. The Sisquoc course appears in both the collegiate and USCF series, and is one my favorite courses. I entered the Cat 4 mob of 70+ for four leisurely laps around the 10 mile circuit. Despite the moderate pace, it took me three laps to weave my way through the cramped field from a poor start position. The centerline rule on the narrow roads made moving up difficult. I was locked in the pack for an incredibly slow ascent up the final climb. Feeling fresh and foolish, I made a jump on the rollers as planned, but determined that I lacked the strength to overcome both the pack and the headwind on the descent. I sat up after a minute or two to mesh with the first nine or so riders and let someone drag me down to the finish. Things started to get hairy as the sprint began, but the high-speed autopilot that kicks in on a fast descent brought me to the sixth wheel. At the final dip before the small rise to the finish, I heard a yell and the characteristic crack of carbon fiber immediately behind me and to the right. The two riders in front of me drifted slightly apart and I saw my chance. I shot through the gap as one, two, and three riders faded from the periphery of my rapidly-tunneling vision. I expected my lungs and legs to burn, but felt nearly numb and strangely distant. The other riders appeared to simply fall away until one wheel remained. When I looked at him beside me, my disbelief gave way to hunger and the fury was unleashed.

Victory.

Labels: racing