It was colder then I thought it would be, but only had to drop my jacket and hat mid race. I think the booties where a good choice. The vibe was a good one I suppose it always helps racing in your backyard, a lot of the big boys showed up every bike and every set up you could think of (Cyclocross I think was the wise choice).
I raced the beginner race feeling I could only handle the 19 miles at this point in my 09 season, a lot of gravel, few miles on paved and a few on two track, and one hill after another and another (one I think even measured 9/10 of a mile toward the end). The race started out as usual trying to figure out who I needed to concern myself with (a little concerned about looking like a sand bagger, its seemed like most just picked a millage they were comfortable with).
The field separated quickly while I tried to keep pace with the cyclocross kingdom. About 7 miles out we were done trading paint and it was me, myself, and I for the next ten miles. I proceeded to chase a SS I set my lively hood on earlier in the race for the next ten miles, he had about a quarter of a mile on me and I finally figured out I was gaining on him only on the climbs and descent and choose to focus on that which worked considering that was the entire race.
We finally got out on the last stretch of road heading back to the finish, and I knew that big hill I was talking about was coming up in a few turns, so of course at that point I burned the last few cubes I had left and it worked, I'm sure to his dislike. I sat on his wheel all the way to the last little paved hill before we turn to the gravel finish enjoying the concern I was casting knowing I had used it up.
On that hill I had it in my mind to either charge the hill, or wait for the sprint at the turn, and of course I had to charge the hill to only see him jump on my wheel F&&%&%.!!! I tried to put a little burst on the turn to the finish going wide to get a look at him, and he just exploded past me. It was a good day for both of us I love that kind of racing, and love to sprint to a finish but that was all I had for the day. Awesome race, great weather,and a third place finish (which helped with my sandbagging issue) very good day. Dennis looked strong coming in and I seen a few other familiar faces from the team.
Steve