June 20, 2010, San Pedro Criterium 55+
San Pedro CA
I had traveled with Keith to race at the LA Velodrome and he desired to hit a criterium just 5 miles South the next day.
This was not a course suited to me, but since I was here, I thought I might as well give it a shot.
The course is mostly uphill. The start goes up a small rise and then does a sharp U-turn up a little climb, through a narrow S-bend and then a short and steeper climb towards the middle of the back straight.
A short bit of level is quickly followed by a steep downhill which is immediately followed by two consecutive right turns to the front stretch, which is then all up hill to the finish.
The course was 1.08 mile per lap.
The race started rather quickly and I immediately jumped into about 5th position of the approximately 40 riders.
I felt fairly good for the first several laps and was able to keep in the top eight pretty easily.
A few attacks would occur, usually on the uphill after the S-bend on the back stretch.
I was too timid on the double downhill turns, fearing any kind of crash and thus braking too much.
Although the pack had whittled down somewhat, we were still together after about 15 minutes of the 40 minute race,
but the constant effort of climbing was taking it's toll on me.
I've been training for short, intense efforts on entirely flat roads, and not long, grinding climbs.
The gradients were rather mild, but certainly not flat enough for me.
The legs were starting to struggle, mostly on the short climb on the back stretch and the lungs were in similar condition.
I'd move up a few places on the front stretch to make up for it, but soon found myself being the last rider of those remaining.
I was able to hang in there for another couple laps, but the little sharp climb detached me from the pack and although I tried to sprint to regain contact, I did not have it in me.
So I made it about half way through the race, pretty much what I expected, and pulled out.
Keith's race in the 45+ age group was about 1.5 hours later, with a larger and more aggressive group of riders.
The first quarter of the race saw him in very good position, usually about sixth or so.
About half way into the race, he crossed the finish line in a breakaway of 4 which looked like it should surely succeed.
Alas, it only lasted a couple of laps and the group was all together again.
He rested up, but with 2 laps to go, he was starting to get towards the middle of the pack and not in optimum position for a good placing, and one rider was away solo and had been for a couple of laps already.
With one to go, the solo rider still had about 10 lengths, but the pack was starting to get animated.
Keith was still a bit farther back than he should have been, but looked comfortable.
As the riders rounded the corner for the final time, the solo rider had been absorbed.
Riders were beginning the sprint at the bottom of the hill, still 600 meters from the finish.
Keith was in about 12th, but was determined to pass as many as he could to try to grab some of the prize money that would be awarded to the top 8.
He came around on the right immediately after the corner and started to pass those in front,
but the rider just ahead of him had the same idea and also moved right, bumping into Keith and started to take him down.
Just then the rider behind Keith hit him from behind and there was no hope of recovery as the 3 hit the deck.
Fortunately he only suffered scrapes to the hip, elbow, knee and no major injury.
The bike bent it's derailer hanger and suffered a lot of expensive scrapes and a broken spoke.
So not the most uplifting conclusion to our weekend, but interesting to test ourselves against some of the best masters riders in the country.
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