I had fun with this race.

Race Report

Short Summary: lots siting in during the first lap and lots of chasing breakaways and even bridged to one at one point during the second lap. Made it up the hill the first go-around in fine fashion without shedding bits of my legs along the way. Dragged the pack around for several minutes (I have no idea how long... seemed long though) in the closing miles to minimize the gap to a dangerous breakaway. After doing my bit, fell off the pace and limped up the hill to sympathetic applause (gotta love the applause given to the guy noodling his bike all by his lonesome two or three minutes off the back).

Wow, that race was a huge eye opener for me on how much work I have to do yet! I was left flying off the back on the first climb, faster than the luge racers in Vancouver! It was fun to be out there though with the team, hopefully I'll get strong enough to hang on and help you guys out. I saw Jeff Henderson on the second climb, is he still with PV?

Couldn't ask for better weather for the first race in Feb. in Oregon.  Once again BRat is the definition of the word Teammate.  After sitting in the pack all race I pretty much screwed the finish up by not being strong enough to stay ahead of everyone else :) 

 Once again, Brian, Great Race!!!!!

Mitch Lee:

Couldn't ask for better weather for the first race in Feb. in Oregon.  Once again BRat is the definition of the word Teammate.  After sitting in the pack all race I pretty much screwed the finish up by not being strong enough to stay ahead of everyone else :) 

 Once again, Brian, Great Race!!!!!

Not to mention that little crash that happened right in front of you! But hey, that's how us sprinters feel after sitting in all race; have multiple teammates nurse you up to the front of the field in the closing miles, hand feed you with a leadout out to 200m only to screw the pooch at the finish. That's racing :).

You did great, Mitch. It takes a lot of discipline to sit in and rely on teammates to cover breakaways and chase so you can be fresh for the finish. From my perspective, it's easy being the teammate who is free to stick it out in the wind, chase breaks and jump wheels, knowing I don't have to be there at the end. It's a lot harder, mentally and physically, to have to conserve and meter out energy, fight for position that's not too far forward and not too far back, and time everything so I can deliver all I've got in one push to the line. All that normal satisfaction of a good, hard ride or race is condensed and concentrated into the last few minutes, and it all hinges on crossing the line first. For me, at least, being "The Guy" who is sheltered and charged with winning the race is the most stressful position. Mitch, you carried that responsibility well.

 Great job everyone!

 

Jason, as far as I can tell, Jeff Henderson isn't racing with us anymore.

   Thanks everybody for all the advice for my first road race.  A whole lot different than PIR in the middle of the summer.  The tight pack and the constant breaking was a bit nerve wrecking, not to mention the wet roads.

   The first 10 miles David and I were holding our own only about 10-20 deep, but then my legs blew up around mile 12 and before I knew it I was spit out the back of the main pack.  Luckily two other guys on another team were trying to pull each other and they welcomed me into their pace line, and the three of us made it back up to the rear of the main pack.  I guess there was a group of about 15 riders that were way behind the main pack.

   The final hill wasn't nearly as bad as everyone made it out to be.  I mean it was still a kick in the ass after 25miles, but not as steep as "9%". 

   I definately realized... I"M NOT IN SHAPE YET!!!  But getting there, and stronger than last year.

   I had fun out there and it was a great experience being my first race with PV.  A whole lot more fun than just racing solo and not having anyone you know to cheer out across the finish.

    Once again, thanks, and should see ya'll at the Bannanna Belt.

It was a great day and I had a lot of fun riding with Stewart. While executing my strategy well I blew it tactically. I felt great and worked to remain in the first 10-20 of the pack. I was about 5 back as we approached the last hill. Next thing I know 2 people from another team jumped, one leading out the other. This happened as others peeled off and the leadout guy fell back and tried to slow the pack. I went around him, tracked down the other rider and then drafted him to get a bit of rest. Right about then we hit the first hill at the finish and the rest of the pack broke. I was caught behind the guy and couldn't get around until it was too late. I didn't have the VO2max to catch them finishing 28th. Need to work on those intervals.

Lessons learned. On to the Banana Belt.