May 31, 2011, Boxwood Criterium #5
Nanaimo BC
The Tuesday crits picked up again after missing a week due to the Canadian long weekend the previous week.
During the last 2 weeks we had 2 days that got over 60 and three sunny days, so a bit better for training, although some days were still cut short due to rain as I tried to squeeze my rides in between the squalls.
I'm not feeling as sore all the time, but I'm also not feeling much stronger, but I guess that's still progress.
The day was tickling around 60 degrees and extremely humid, so I was still wearing my warmest long sleeve jacket and leg warmers.
Black clouds loomed overhead, but they did not drop any rain on us.
16 riders turned out, including 3 women and 1 junior.
We had 2 initial neutral laps of the total of 30 for the race and there would be 3 primes before the finish, with prizes to the top 3.
The finish had a good tailwind in addition to it's down hill gradient.
The first two laps (0.71 mi/lap) were at a moderate 18.6 mph average and then the pace jumped to 24.1 for the third lap.
Unfortunately at the finish of that third lap, my chain came off and jammed between the crank and chainring.
I wasn't wearing gloves, so I was able to push the chain back out and get it back on the ring and I was several lengths off the back when ready to go again.
By the end of the next lap I was back on the tail end of the group, that lap being the fastest of the evening, averaging 26.9 mph.
Two guys crept off the front (Warren and Robert), but Ian Smith and Mike Sevcov were still in the group and I needed more recovery time.
The two hovered in front of us at about 15 seconds for 5 laps and then Ian made a dash to join them.
I kept my eye on Mike, hoping that he would eventually go after them with less aggression and a lap later he and I left the rest behind as well.
It took us a couple or three laps (averaging about 25.8 mph), but we caught the three leaders and we had our group of 5 off the front.
Soon a prime was announced and I had no intention of expending energy when I was barely able to stay with the group.
Ian and Warren went dashing off at 200 to go and Ian got the money as he has so often done in the past.
We lapped some riders who were able to join in with us, but they mostly stayed behind the 5 leaders and let us do our own thing.
I was struggling and would only take short turns at the front, trying to skip turns whenever I could sneak it in.
The last 8 laps saw the pace ease somewhat, down to 23.5 to 24.6 mph per lap, but I was starting to get cramps in my ham strings.
The last prime was announced with 3 to go and Ian and Warren dashed off the front again from 200 meters out and I accelerated to try to keep them within catching distance.
They eased up and the 5 of us were able to regroup, so I should have saved me energy for the final sprint.
With one lap to go, Mike took the lead and I got behind Warren who was watching Ian; Robert took the last position I assume.
Ian and Warren jumped from our moderate pace at 200 meters to go and flew by Mike.
I jumped also, but felt no strength in my legs, had too big a gear selected for the conditions, and could not pass either one of them, but I had no problem leaving Mike behind.
Warren was able to nip Ian at the line.
Third place netted me $5, which was the same as my entry fee.
The last 28 laps took 48:43 for an average of 24.5 mph. Not a blistering pace, but it definitely gave me a workout.
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