February 22, 2015, Avondale Crit #2, 60+
Avondale AZ
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ

The second Avondale crit, just West of Phoenix, on a flat, half mile circuit. The 50+ and 60+ races started together at 7:55 am with clear skies, calm winds, and a cool 54 degrees. I had 2 layers on my legs, 2 on my arms, and 3 on my torso, but some of the other riders had bare legs. The prizes would again be distributed for the entire group of 20 starters of which 9 were in the 60+ category.

Bill Bixby in the 60+ group was with us this time and Tod Smith was in the 50 group, who had won the McDowell 50+ race a few weeks earlier. Mark Fosenburg was here again and those 3 would be the primary contenders to watch.

My legs were still feeling a little heavy from the previous days battle and I did zero warm up for the race (which is typical for me). The first two laps were at a leisurely 22.7 mph, so this allowed me to loosen up, which usually only takes me a couple of minutes. On the third lap, as we approached the second turn, Mark Fosenburg attacked on the inside and I accelerated on the outside to latch onto him on the back stretch. We averaged 26.7 mph, but the pack would not allow us to leave. We had a strategic rest lap and then Bixby attacked, with me immediately on his wheel, averaging 26.9 mph for that lap. The pack was still fresh and had the power to keep us in check, so we were soon all together again.

We would have a few primes in this race, but I decided to not contest them and save my energy for the real race, since I wasn't feeling as spry as I normally do.

We'd have a series of surges and easy laps, but no major concerns as I monitored near the front of the pack. The officials gave us the lap board with 6 to go (normally it begins at 5) and the pack seemed to set up for strategy for the finish. This would have been great for me if we had 5 laps of rest just prior to the finish and it seemed like it might follow that pattern as we averaged 22.7 and 23.4 mph for laps 6 and 5 to go. But with 4 to go, Tod Smith decided to pick up the pace, with Mark and myself in tow, hitting 34.2 mph in the jump. We averaged 27.5 mph on that lap and we actually formed a small break. I refused to take a turn so close to the end, so the next lap only averaged 26.6 mph due to the disruption. Tod took over again and we did the next lap at 28.7. With one to go, I was feeling a tad worn out from the effort, which is not what I wanted with the finish just a minute away.

I was on Mark's wheel for the final lap, who was sitting on Tod at the front. After the second corner, we all slowed down (22.1 mph), nobody wanting to lead out from so far out from the line; it was eerie. Finally the speed started to pick up with Tod at the front. I was in good position and hoped there would be room on the inside of the curved entrance to the finishing stretch. I took the chance that there would be and started up the inside and Mark and Tod had left just enough room to get in. But my legs weren't giving me the snap I usually have and I slowly accelerated past Mark, but only could muster 32.1 mph which wasn't enough to pass Tod and Bixby was able to come around the outside and just nip me at the line to give me my first 60+ loss of the season.

The top five prize money awards went to Tod, David, Lionel, Mark, and Greg Barrett (with 3 of those in the 60+ class).


(Photo courtesy of Julie Morgan)

Results    
Summary
Start
Time		 Distance
(Miles)		 Starters Duration Weather
(Deg F, mph)		 Speed avg
(MPH)		 Speed Max
(MPH)
7:55 am 11.8 20 28:50 54, Calm 24.6 34.2

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