That is how the saying goes. At the Binghamton Circuit Race, The 55+ and 60+ Masters were combined with the Cat 5 field, something I did a little grumbling about, (1) preferring the predictable fields of racing with the other Masters who typically have more concern about staying off the pavement than say a testosterone laden 20 year old with poor judgement who heals quickly, and (2) my feelings were hurt that we were no longer "Elite" masters as was labeled on the 35+ and 45+ race.
It is what it is though, so starting the race, I hoped to find some young buck to make a break and the plan was to tag along and burn up his legs. Thus "treachery". So I got to the front after the first hill and bounced from wheel to wheel as various riders made some half hearted attacks. Just around the corner from the start finish line on the second lap, a pair of riders from Paceline started picking it up and I was right there to grab a wheel. The hill had spread the field out a little and it is likely most people were not expecting much to happen in the first few laps. As the lead man powered up, the second man started drifting off, I jumped on the first guy and the second guy continued to drift back to the field which started a little gap. Excellent! I hollered up that we had a gap and we drilled it over the hill. Decidedly early for a break but this is pretty short race. Sizing up my companion, he looked strong, rode well and seemed pretty solid. I have a definite weight advantage on the downhills and took a hard pull around the bottom and up into the wind on the back straight to open the gap. As we took pulls on the next few laps, it became pretty clear that this was how I could best contribute to the break and I would duck back in for some recovery before going up the hill. Thus providing a great photo op at the start line of me sucking wind in the same position on every single lap. Based on last weeks CYLRR where Ernie and Ad and some other dedicated racers made an incredible chase back on to our own chase group, I did not think we could let up at all until we had a solid gap. Ad was not at this race but Ernie was, and I figured somehow, someway, he was coming.
So after 6 laps of this I think we have a solid lead and can ease up a little and recover. But the kid is not easing up. Wow is this guy strong! My legs are burning. My pulls into the wind keep getting shorter and shorter. Then I sit in. And the next lap too. Then on the downhill. Who is this kid? I am not burning up his legs, I am sitting in and he is burning me up! On the next to the last lap, pride would not let me sit in any more so I told him I would give him a break into the wind before the hill, but please don't drop me. I don't think he intended to, but did anyway. I stayed fairly close but it sure hurt. So it was a second overall and 1st in the Masters 55+.
I talked to the kid after the race, he is 23 and a new racer. I spoke to some of his teammates and apparently he finished 8th at the Battenkill?!!, rode away from the field at last weeks CYLRR and has won or placed in all of his races. He is one to watch. Reminds me of Houssler from a couple years ago. The kid is a stud. Take heed my teammates!
The first race was kind of a lucky break as he was not marked, but on the second race we have his number. There are some excellent masters racers in the group.
So away we go. In the words of Yogi Berra "it was deja vu - all over again". I am not sure what happened to the treacherous trap as several were in position to take advantage this time when we went. "Is that him?" "Yep" Another guy did make the break but the second time around he mis-shifted going up the hill and his chain got wrapped around his cassette bringing him to a quick stop. Kind of a shame as 3 working would have been a relief to my tired legs. But it was to be the same ordeal as before, and the same finish for the two of us. And pride was out the window in the second race. It was survival.
Overall a good day in the saddle. And congrats to that new young racer. I expect to see you moving up pretty quick pal! And today was definitely "youth and skill will NOT be overcome by old age and treachery"! Maybe tomorrow...
nice job!
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