Vandervorts Corner CAT 4 Road Race

Vandervorts Corner CAT 4 Road Race Sunday, April 19, 2009 What was projected by every weather professional on local TV and every inter-web weather site I know as being a full on race in the pouring rain – ending up not being the case. We missed it or it missed us, I didn’t really care if it rained or not. I had my days this year of riding in the rain and have hardened the &*^%$ up because of that riding in the rain. I was thinking it would separate the men from the boys and see who was willing to ride their bike fast in the crappy rain. I think if it had rained with the wind we had, it would have been only ugly race day on the bike. A decent turnout, I think about 25 pre-registered for the CAT 4 race, maybe over 80 racers for the day- I am guessing. Certainly not the numbers we had at the Deer Creek race the week prior.

Today was going to be my day, the day I change it up and do something different, something to change the results of my race, something to change my expectations and therefore get a top 5 finish.

How did that all workout you ask? Not bad, overall I suppose, in retrospect. Racing is racing. Just when you think you have done so much more training than someone else and you are more fit, faster, etc – you go out and race and get virtually checked up against the hockey glass so to speak. I burned many a match at this race, maybe 2 or 3 too many - chasing and chasing and chasing. I did chase and get into a break or two, that by the time I got there, I had nothing left to contribute for the group or other guy in hindsight. One of the strong guys from Cyclosport went up the road and him and I had a good gap at one point, we went up a riser, turned the corner, he looked back and just quit, so that was that. I am not sure some of those guys in the breaks, wanted me there...Cyclosport, Team Dayton and Team Abundance were represented by at least 6 guys each. It was pretty tough being one of the small teams today.
I ended up 10th, which is about 5 places further back than I wanted, but I came away from this race knowing I had some mettle. Knowing I made my presence and I think many of these guys will be keeping a small watch on my bike moving forward. Jen took great photos - Pic 1&2 are of the small hill which ended up being nothing, Pic3 is the sprint finish for the CAT4 >pimped again - :Rest of the Pics Here: