If you haven’t heard yet, there were some discrepancies at the Olympia Fields race that essentially wasted 45 minutes of time and shaved 20 miles off the race. The course was a cool 0.45 miles with a wind down the backstretch emptying into the tightest corner of the 3 turn course. So, of the 125 guys that lined up to race, about 50 dropped out before the start and the rest of us fought it out at about 100mph on the backstretch until a break went up the road. Someone actually did go down and required ambulance assistance causing a stoppage of the race with 16 laps (about a mile or so, total) from the finish. 20 minutes later we started up again and I literally began to sob during the first lap due to the feeling of death in my legs, its not easy to turn when you are crying your eyes out, its also bad for the street cred (that’s “street credibility” for those of you who have always been to afraid to ask). So, what to do? How about go off the front by yourself with 4 to go, and get caught with 1 to go. This is a very stupid idea. It’s the kind of idea that comes to your mind after 76 very stupid laps into the stupid corner at stupid speeds. I don’t want to talk about it. I hung on for 20th which actually put me at 12th overall in the GC after day 3. That would be the good news from an otherwise stupid day. Are you getting this? Have I made myself clear about my feelings about having a race in a half-way developed subdivision in howling winds on a .45 mile course? The other riders had a good point in that “we have brakes on our bikes, the corner shouldn’t matter.” This pointed out yet another good point that I am a baby and require proper primping and cradling to be happy. Just race you bike jim, sheesus.
Richton park was pretty sweet. Again, to excuse myself from having to win (since I would clearly win all the slow ones), it was fast. I am concentrating on being more patient with my attacking so today it took me about 30 minutes of sitting in until I tried to bridge a gap of 22 seconds to a 3 man break. Although unsuccessful and a waste of 10 laps because the field chased everyone down, I did gain 3 points in the sprint competition, which is more than you have unless you are pretty much anyone else in the P-1-2 field. Getting chased down is cool, because you go to the back extremely fast and get to ponder why you even ride a bike at all, ever. So I decided to wait until the end to try and sprint it out, apparently in my mind, the end is 25 minutes before the actual end….. A very dangerous break of 8 guys gapped the field in a big way with 25 minutes or so left in the race, it only took me a half lap to realize that this was the move that would be the race. One other guy (mike sheer) realized the same thing and we attacked hard, clear of the field, only to come within 40 feet of the breakaway that lapped the field in only 5 laps. We just couldn’t catch it, it was discouraging to say the least and it was back to the pack again with empty hands.
Then came the last 5 laps of the day. I wish I had an onboard camera because it is indescribable how awesome the speeds and bike handling are. I got a bottle of Gatorade from sal who for some crazy reason had extra, and it really made it possible for me to stick with the front of the last 5 laps. It reminds you why you race your bike when everyone is flying around turns 6 inches from each other well over 30 miles an hour. Go to your neighborhood, get in your car, and take a turn at 30. Then go get new tires because yours are now gone. It was a lot of fun. I got about 15th or 16th in the field sprint but since there were guys a lap up that were behind me, I got 22nd on the day. Disappointing considering how close I was to the winning move, but all in all a good day because my racing is beginning to show remnants of strategy, successful or not. I don’t think anyone considers me an actual threat to win the race, which is probably a good call, but I am happy still being able to race the race like I did and still have a little push left at the end.
Tomorrow is bensonville day 1 and I have some serious modivation to do well in both bensonville days because if I can get into the top 10 overall I will have my first call-up of all time in front of all the people I know at shorewood. That would mean a lot to me so lets hope I can have some good races these next two days. I will keep you overly informed for sure.
Talk to you tomorrow. Its off to Illinois for what will be nearing mile 850 of car travel during superweek so far. Have a great night
Jim
