A new season with races at Blunt park and Hydra cross in Holyoke. I was well prepared as I worked with my coach Stephen Hyde all year. The training focus had been on improving my explosive power.
Blunt park
Blunt park was a good first test. I had signed up for my regular race category 60+, but also signup for the 40+ race just before. I used this first race as a warmup and would also allow to learn the cours better. I ended doing a number of laps, one at race pace and the others at endurance pace. This prepared me well for the 60+ race.
At the 60+ race I had a front line start, I botched the start a little, but did make it as 2nd to the first corner. The pace was really high. The leading rider apparently had not done a good course inspection and kept missing turns, hence in the 2nd lap I ended upfront for a half a lap. Probably not wise as I started to blow up, in the 3rd lap I made an error in a turn and got overtaken by number 3. He would end up winning the race. After the blow up did not have a lot of power left and limped home, lost one more position and finished fifth.
Hydra Cross
Hydra Cross takes place during Labor day weekend. We always hang out with friends at the Bike barn in East Burke, Vermont. This year I wanted to do an attempt to do well in the River Valley series. The series consists of race at Blunt park, Hydra Cross, West Hill, Kilowatt, and Treehouse. With the race on Sunday, I rode back from Vermont on Saturday afternoon.
I was able to get 2 inspection laps in, before starting my warmup. I blew the start, could not clip in but worked my way up to 5th position shortly after. With a clumsy but successful turn I moved up 2 more positions, and soon was in 2nd place behind the later winner. I planned to stay on his wheel as long as I could, as we were creating a big gap. Then at the end of first lap I ended up in first position by taking a faster higher line, a little unexpected. After leading for a half a lap crashed and lost contact with the leader. By this time my energy started to fade and soon got overtaken by number two, and number three. I did manage to hold on for fourth position until the finish.
With two race completed I was now 4th in the River Valley series, and allows me to start upfront at the next race in Putney, West Hill.