Race Report: Dawg Days Circuit Race, Cat 4

Dawg Days Circuit Race, Cat 4
Bowie, Maryland
July 12, 2009

There is no way I will provide an abridged version for this race report. Start foreshadowing.

This is not a technical race, basically a big circle, but it was hot and windy which would play a factor. I woke up early to watch Catherine race, so I was out in the heat all day. She placed 11th, but in an intermediate sprint she won a gift certificate to Sticky Fingers Bakery for some vegan sweets. Nicely played -



In the Cat 4 men's race, from NCVC, both of the young "Brookes brothers," Dan (aka "Schlomo"), Dave B., and also young Ben M. lined up with me. This was a great performance by our team, sparing a **slight** miscommunication or two - including a bittersweet one at the finish.

We'll get to those, but overall awesome race. I went into this race to help Dan get a good finish so he can upgrade. He wants to upgrade to Cat 3 so he can race at Collegiate Nationals next year. I let him know that my legs had been burned by yesterday's cornering intervals.

Immediately, there were attacks after attacks, none that would make a big impact. Each of our guys took their turns covering attacks so none of us burnt too many matches. I told Dan I was going to play it very conservatively at first to get into the rhythm and not burn the legs to early - I had limited matches. Dan covered the front and jumped in a break or two, most of them futile efforts in the antsy pack.

Later in the race it was the Ben, Dave & Dave combo who covered some serious breaks too - priceless efforts. Seeing Dan up front too much, I started sitting way up in the group to cover some breaks in hopes that he'd ease up.

Not having the legs for a break, I pulled the breaks in instead of trying to bridge. Artemis, Bike Rack, and NCVC were basically nullifying each other all race, but teams and individuals were swarming every attempt to get away anyways. With about 5 laps to go, Dan jumped into a 5-man break with good representation from teams - especially Bike Rack and Artemis.

Cue teammate miscommunication #1:

I was sitting up front blocking with two bike rack guys when two of our guys charge up yelling, "Let's get 'em, Bert!"

Whoops. Sorry Dan.

They didnt know Dan was up there and brought that break back quickly but with an intensity and enthusiasm I wish each of my teammates had throughout every pedal stroke.

Then with 2 laps to go, there's a calm before the storm. A gambler's prime kept people on their toes. I stuck up front on the outside, with Dave Brookes shadowing me. Dan was on the inside - he got pretty much stuck there. We were all in the sweet spot doing little work, though.

On the back side on the last lap, WWVC attacked early (just like Hagerstown 24 hours earlier). A few guys followed and strung out the pack like crazy. I didn't want Dan chasing so early, so I chased, in about 5th wheel. Dan and Dave were a few wheels back. Perfect. I'll do the work.

Coming through the final traffic circle turn, two guys were off the front with another two guys directly in front of me. Over the crest of the hill, the boys in front of me were slacking, so I drilled it all-out to catch the guys up front hoping our guys were in good position behind me. The two guys way up front were creating too big of a gap for my comfort.

Talking to folks earlier in the day, I knew the headwind would hit folks hard. It had a bigger impact than I would have thought. Cue teammate miscommunication #2.

I caught one guy, took half a breath and saw nobody was behind me. Picking up the pace through the headwind created a BIG GAP.

I stood up and drilled it again and it took a pretty big effort to catch the next guy. Wearing an orange kit, he was, quite appropriately, a carrot in front of the donkey (me). I flew past him with 400 to go. This was perfect for me; I'm a flyer, not a sprinter.

Dig deep now.

I jammed my legs down hard, low and forward on the tip of the saddle. High cadence, sprinting down a slight hill. The line was in sight and the magnetism of the finish line was calling me. I could hear Joe Jefferson yelling through the microphone, but didn't make it out at the time:

"NCVC! He left nothing but table scraps!"

I stood up again to sprint in the final 100 meters. I looked back. Homefree.

Joe yells again, "NCVC, delivering the goods!"


Took the win with a bit of real estate.


(Photo courtesy of Linc Brookes)

Dan finished one spot out of the money in 9th. This was a great race by all of the Cat 4s - relatively safe for us and a lot of positive, aggressive racing by all. Kudos, gents, and I'm glad I could share this one with some great teammates and a lot of friends that were competing against me.

Here's the video of the sprint:



If you're my friend on facebook, you can view the video here, courtesy of Dan's hometown friend Eric S. who'd never even watched a bike race before. Awesome.

My legs hurt like crazy but it was an awesome weekend of great, selfless teamwork and good results. These last few road races are going to be a blast for our Cat 4 squad.

This just keeps getting better. I can't wait for more.