First race of the season is under the belt. Saturday was the Morgantown Road Race, ABRA #1. Mr. Petsko did not disappoint with this race. The course was slightly changed from last year to remove the somewhat dangerous section of Rt. 7 into Blacksville. Though the course was shorter there was even more climbing than last year, which already had lots of vertical. There was also another fine turn out of racers for this challenging course with 250 pre-reg. riders and even a waiting list.
The members of MoTown Velo to make it to this race were Tim, Sean and myself. Others had to work on Saturday, bummer. Tim and I arrived early to Mt. Morris and scored a VIP spot close to the registration tents. We quickly got signed in to avoid the line of people that was sure to follow. Then we settled in and watched people roll in. It was cool to see a lot of folks that I haven't seen since the end of last race season. It was a great day to just sit around and soak up the sun but we were there for some bike race'n so it was time to suit up in the team kits and start warming up the legs.
Quickly it was race time. The 1/2/3 class rolled out @ 12 then the 4/5 lined up. It was a large field with 75 races. At the start I was a lot further back in the group than I was comfortable with, almost all the way at the back. Not a good place to be in a 4/5 group with lots of eager but inexperienced riders. Saw a lots of bobb'n and weave'n but not misshapes. After the first large climb past Kirby I was able to pull a little further towards the front group and by the top I was in the second group. Next up was Mile climb were I was able to maintain and had the leaders within about 20 seconds. Once back in the valley I was in a group of about eight racers. I was happy to see another MoTown Velo jersey, Sean. The group tried to make a somewhat organized chase on the lead group which was within sight but had a sizable lead.
On the next climb I decided to test the climbing legs and cranked up the watts. I was able to put a gap on the group except WVU's Bala. We worked together on down to Rt. 218 and picked up another racer on chase down the leaders. Almost to Waynesburg our original group caught up to us (including Sean) and we jumped back in. Normally, I wouldn't drop a large chase group like that but I was using the race more as a training ride than a full on race. So you young racers out there remember you can conserve more energy in a larger group and save it for when you need it.
After Waynesburg I dropped my chain and spent over a minute trying to untangle my chain from my derailleur. I had lost my teammate and the group and my legs were feeling the burn from a week of hard rides. So, I put in survival mode and just enjoyed the rest of the ride. Mostly solo, which started to hurt with the strong winds.
I got caught by my closest competitor from the WVMBA series, Donald P. on the closing stretch on Big Shannon. There was nothing I could do about it. I stood up to close and cramped up wicked bad. I had a flash back from ACE last year. You got me again Don.
I had a great time but was totally spent. Luckily there were some yummy treats and sammiches from the new Rising Creek bakery in Mt. Morris to help me recovery.
Check out the results.
Less than 2 weeks till Big Bear. Sweet!
The members of MoTown Velo to make it to this race were Tim, Sean and myself. Others had to work on Saturday, bummer. Tim and I arrived early to Mt. Morris and scored a VIP spot close to the registration tents. We quickly got signed in to avoid the line of people that was sure to follow. Then we settled in and watched people roll in. It was cool to see a lot of folks that I haven't seen since the end of last race season. It was a great day to just sit around and soak up the sun but we were there for some bike race'n so it was time to suit up in the team kits and start warming up the legs.
Quickly it was race time. The 1/2/3 class rolled out @ 12 then the 4/5 lined up. It was a large field with 75 races. At the start I was a lot further back in the group than I was comfortable with, almost all the way at the back. Not a good place to be in a 4/5 group with lots of eager but inexperienced riders. Saw a lots of bobb'n and weave'n but not misshapes. After the first large climb past Kirby I was able to pull a little further towards the front group and by the top I was in the second group. Next up was Mile climb were I was able to maintain and had the leaders within about 20 seconds. Once back in the valley I was in a group of about eight racers. I was happy to see another MoTown Velo jersey, Sean. The group tried to make a somewhat organized chase on the lead group which was within sight but had a sizable lead.
On the next climb I decided to test the climbing legs and cranked up the watts. I was able to put a gap on the group except WVU's Bala. We worked together on down to Rt. 218 and picked up another racer on chase down the leaders. Almost to Waynesburg our original group caught up to us (including Sean) and we jumped back in. Normally, I wouldn't drop a large chase group like that but I was using the race more as a training ride than a full on race. So you young racers out there remember you can conserve more energy in a larger group and save it for when you need it.
After Waynesburg I dropped my chain and spent over a minute trying to untangle my chain from my derailleur. I had lost my teammate and the group and my legs were feeling the burn from a week of hard rides. So, I put in survival mode and just enjoyed the rest of the ride. Mostly solo, which started to hurt with the strong winds.
I got caught by my closest competitor from the WVMBA series, Donald P. on the closing stretch on Big Shannon. There was nothing I could do about it. I stood up to close and cramped up wicked bad. I had a flash back from ACE last year. You got me again Don.
I had a great time but was totally spent. Luckily there were some yummy treats and sammiches from the new Rising Creek bakery in Mt. Morris to help me recovery.
Check out the results.
Less than 2 weeks till Big Bear. Sweet!
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