June 28, 2011, Boxwood Criterium #9
Nanaimo BC

This last week brought typical weather for Vancouver Island: temperatures in the upper 60's and a chance of rain every day. I got caught a few times in the rain and had the joy of changing a flat while it was raining. There's still only been one day in the last 9 months that I've ridden in short sleeves. At least I'm not constrained to riding indoors as was the case over most of the winter. However, it's not the kind of weather I prefer.

This Tuesday had threatening dark clouds for most of the day and many of the riders registered late as it was sprinkling when they showed up. Fortunately the precipitation held off and we were able to have dry roads, but no sunshine. I must be getting more accustomed to the colder temperatures, as I felt the leg warmers were too hot during the warmup laps and rode in shorts for the race, but still long sleeves.

Only 13 riders participated, including one women. The first 2 of the 40 laps would be at a controlled pace, with 4 primes thrown into the mix. There was a bit of a breeze that created a tailwind down the finishing stretch. Warren and Mike would be the primary riders to watch.

A solo attack immediately began the festivities at the beginning of lap 3. It's good to know your competition to know what the dangerous moves are and the pack watched this rider sit off the front for a few laps. Then a few riders got antsy and tried to bridge up to the attack, which eventually brought the entire group back together.

At 31 to go the bell was rung for our first prime and a rider went for an early escape. As the pack looked at each other, he gained enough of a lead to ensure the prize, but not before a last ditch attempt by Warren. As Warren sped by in second place, I was glued to his wheel and we had gone fast enough to create a considerable gap on the pack. We kept the pace going and shortly the pack could no longer be seen behind us. After a couple of laps, Warren suggested that we trade off the upcoming primes, offering me the first one; I replied that he was an optimistic planner.

A few laps later of going at a pretty good pace, evenly switching turns at the front, I surprised to see Mike come up from behind solo to join us. Knowing that I can easily outsprint Mike, I welcomed the extra hand at keeping the break alive. However, he was struggling and occasionally skipped a turn at the front. A few laps later we were joined by a fourth rider, but then a lap later the entire pack had reeled us back in. Time to recuperate, but only a few laps later with 21 to go, the bell for the next prime was heard. I watched the sprinters after the finish and they all sat up, so there was little worry about an attack getting away, so I continued to rest.

A few minor attacks occurred over the next several laps, but we were all together when the bell was rung for the next prime with 21 laps to go. Warren took the prize, but Mike and I were right behind and we kept the pace up after the line. Warren had eased up and Mike and I began trying to create a good gap. I would take strong pulls, but unfortunately Mike would not keep my wheel through the turns and I'd have to ease up to allow him to get some benefit of a rest behind me. I certainly did not want to attempt the next 15 laps on my own (approximately 25 minutes), and after several laps we were absorbed back into the pack. But it felt good to be able to put in some attack efforts without feeling wiped out afterwards.

With 11 laps to go, the prime bell was rung again and the pace quickened. Mike took a flyer and was able to get enough of a gap on the back stretch to keep his lead to the line and pick up some prize money. This was a good effort on his part as this was the fastest lap thus far, averaging 28 mph.

The last prime bell was rung with 6 laps to go and I only made sure that Warren did not try an escape; being a sprinter, he is not inclined to try a solo escape. After the prime, it was time to plan a finishing strategy. With the slight tailwind down the finishing stretch, there would be minimal benefit in an attempt to come from behind at the last second and a long effort might yield a better chance. The pack eased up to only about 23 mph, perfect for me to allow some recuperation time prior to the final sprint. Everyone seemed content to wait for the finish, but the slow speed meant that everyone would bunch up and the turns were congested, increasing the chance of an accident.

With one to go, I was on Warren's wheel, sitting about mid pack. One rider went for a solo attack right after turn 2, battling the headwind alone. By turn 3 the pace had not heated up. Fearing that the solo rider might take the win, I jumped just before turn 4 and flew through the turn. Unfortunately the effort also brought on a severe cramp in my left calf, which made it difficult to control the bike coming out of the turn and the wheels where skipping off the ground and the handle bars shaking. This caused me to bleed off a couple mph to get it back under control and then I went for it again, pushing the pain aside. I quickly reeled in the solo rider, but the delay had allowed Warren an advantage. I popped the gear up to a 47 x 12 and found some extra speed. At 50 meters to go I looked between my legs and saw his wheel coming up behind me. I had nothing more to offer and could only watch him pass me on the left to take the win, settling for second. Max speed 38.0 mph, Max heart rate 190 bpm, last lap average speed 28.6 mph.

Last lap:


I suppose that if I had not expended myself in those couple of break away attempts, that I would have had less likelihood of the cramps and thus a better chance of winning. But I wanted to try some different methods and see if I had improved my attack strengths, which compared favorably to earlier in the season where it devastated me. The left calf was still hurting late into the evening, so it may take a while to repair the damage.

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