Just returned from Bend, OR for the long weekend attending USAC's Masters Nationals. To say that everything went according to plan would be overstating things a little bit.
Having planned the majority of my season around this weekend, placing all my legs in one basket so to speak - it was an underwhelming experience, not just for me, but for our entire team. First off my training never really got on track. Family, work, and illness had their way to wreak havok on my Spring & early Summer progress. Then when race registration opened I pounced on it like it was going to fill like a Lady Gaga concert, made VRBO inquires and settled with reservations & deposits; there's plenty of time to get in shape - I'm motivated.
Six weeks out and I'm still a flatlander, with hills considered foreign territory. This is proven each time at PR when attempting the "big" hill as I gasp with each lap. Finally, with some dedicated hill intervals I start to show promise that I won't make a complete fool of myself (boy was I ever wrong).
Then in early August I mis-bid my work schedule and don't get the Labor Day long weekend off. Oh well at least it's a cushy 3-leg 3-day trip (nice long Kona & San Jose layovers, but it will leave me with that empty unfullfilled feeling.. My wife and kiddo's still plan to go to Bend, as another friend will be down that way nearby and they can visit at the Alpaca ranch.
Mid-August I come down with a sinus infection, that somehow didn't get completely cleared up with the Z-pack prescription - because I still had it at the end of August. Now armed with another prescription (that I hope isn't on the USADA prohibited list - as I self-disclose here) I call in sick for my weekend trip to join the family in Bend and see how I feel. A little dry air and relaxation will do wonders right? Maybe I can salvage this thing. Ah who am I kidding, let's just go have some fun & stay outta trouble.
Does anybody need a 13 spoke collectible boutique front wheel?
My trusty extremely lightweight LEW Sydney took a beating Friday in the Crit, as did my equally trusty Giro helmet. After getting a great position at the start to jump into 5th wheel at turn one I was keeping a steady lock mid-pack when at the 35 minute mark somebody just ahead of me rolled a tire coming out of turn four (see red dot on course) and I had nowhere to hide when trouble found me as my wheel got chewed by another racers pedal and broke 3 spokes. That wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't landed on my left hip so hard. While several bystanders were trying to get me to limp up to neutral support to keep racing (like all the rest of my fallen comrades), a look at my damaged helmet said no way. Official race results have me finishing 8th overall in the field sprint - even though I watched the finish from the medical tent after getting my road rash souvenirs cleaned up.
Several pounds of ice and Advil later I'm on the start line (again in good position) for the Road Race late Sunday afternoon. New helmet and rented wheel and I'm ready to get going - this is what I've been looking forward to all year. Temp's are warm but not too bad, with a light cloud cover and a slight northerly breeze. My hip is still sore but I'm able to pedal without pain, but I'm more concerned with my hydration as I can't seem to get that dry mouth satisfied. I've got 2 bottles with the knowledge that the feed zone will be fully stocked if necessary.
I've done this circuit several times in years past as part of the Cascade Classic Stage Race, and am familiar with the primary obstacle - the climb up Archie Briggs. It's not real steep & it's not real long, but it's just steep and long enough to get your attention. This is what my focus was with 6 weeks to go and now it's time to suffer, we go up this thing 3 times with each having the potentail of being the decisive ascent.
And we're off like a heard of turtles - prepared to stop at the 2nd roundabout in case we encounter the 45-49 group finishing. Somebody in our pack of 75 is going to be wearing the Stars & Stripes in about 2+ hours. I'm sitting pretty as I hit the bottom of the feed zone hill (at mile 10) in 5th position and set a steady tempo up in the big ring. And begin to slide backasswards. I was anticipating losing some position on this climb but - hey wait, that can't be the end of the main group, where'd everybody go? I'm giving all I can as my HR max's and still losing ground as the main pack rides away. A few of us regroup and try to chase back on once over the top as the group is still within reach turning onto the approach to Archie Briggs 4 miles later - but they are never to be seen again. Crap - really, the feed zone hill? I certainly didn't see that one coming.
A small group of 5, sometimes 6, roll through the next lap together - as the time checks at each corner gets larger and larger. After surviving Archie Briggs again on lap 2 everybody agrees to continue for another lap to finish. But the USAC Official has other plans. Even though I scream by the right turn to start lap 3 the Official is waving us on through to the finish line back at the High School. I do a U-turn & end up with a prorated time, similar to being pulled in a local Crit. Very unsatisfying effort.
I wait & watch the finish as Metcalfe demolished the remaining field winning solo by an 87 second margin, followed by a two up sprint for a photo finish for silver & bronze a few seconds ahead of the remaining 20 racers who stayed together. NW stud (former National Champ in Park City) Kerry Farrell rounds out the podium in 5th. Metcalfe was 2nd in the Crit and the guy who took 4th in the RR was 3rd in the Crit. Some impressively strong guys to keep an eye on in future races - with go away, stay away power.
Perusing the results and talking with some guys around that weekend it looks like the teams from WA were well represented in all age groups & did themselves fairly well (though the Killer Robots were licking their collective wounds). A former domestic pro took top honors in the 35-39 RR, our WSBA Prez was smiling about a top 20, another Old Guy was looking for more laps, some guys were sick, some were hurt, some DNS, some DNF's; all were doing recon for next year.
Family enjoyed the time at the 7th Mtn resort - where swimming, putt-putt golf, pony rides, playgrounds, biking, and more swimming were favorite activities. A year-round outdoor paradise - we could definitely see moving here.
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