This past weekend I kicked off my road racing season at Cooperopolis. Some have labeled this as the Paris-Roubaix of Northern California. The roads are rough and there is some climbing involved but that's where the similarities end.
This was perhaps some of the most fun I've had in a road race. I felt good on this day and immediately went to the front in preparation for the first climb. A San Jose rider went off the front on the false flat before road the turned up so I bridged up. As the climb started he eased off saying he just wanted a little head start. I rode my own pace and was caught about 1/2 way up. I settled in and let two Wells Fargo riders dictate the pace up the rest of the hill. At the top about 1/2 the field was gone and Wells Fargo continued to ride w/ some pace. They soon got frustrated that no one was helping so I went up to work with them. After a bit it became obvious no one else was going to work, so I settled back in as did the Wells Fargo riders.
After the turn back a unattached rider started slowing pulling away. No one seemed interested so after he had gotten about 200' feet up I bridged up as quickly as I could to keep from bringing anyone else along. We worked together for a few pulls but it seemed too early to me and I doubted our chances, as I glanced back I saw the field had come up on us, perhaps others think the new kit fast ;-). Not long after the same rider went away slowly another joined, but no chase from the field. I sat it and we eventually caught them on the short climb before the sharp descent.
We lost more riders on the climb and descent as we seemed down to @ 20 after passing the finish. The 2nd time up the major climb I started getting some twitches in both calves, this wasn't a good sign as I'm prone to cramping ! I eased back and drifted to the back of the field, guys were now falling off but so was I. On the flatter sections I did what I could to make up some time, trying to minimize the damage. I could see Andy was staying w/ the leaders so that helped me to press on. At the very top I caught up to Andy who had come detached. I went on to see the lead group spread out across the road maybe 1/2 mile ahead. I eased off so Andy could join and we started working to catch up. We seemed to be making distance but slowly, at this point both calves started to go, ugh! Fortunately we were joined by the San Jose rider. We worked together but I was having trouble pulling through. I urged them on indicating I was done.
I eased off and downed two gels. I still felt good just had to work out the cramps. The gels started working and I got into the drops and started working hoping that maybe I could join up w/ some dropped riders and we could catch. No luck I passed a few but they were all toast. I rolled across alone to finish 15th.
Andy had caught back on with the San Jose rider after a hard chase and managed an 8th ! Way to go.
