January 24, 2016, Avondale Crit #1, 60+
Avondale AZ
Report from Lionel Space, Phoenix AZ
The typical Avondale course that I had done many times (half mile, flat), early in the morning in cool temperatures.
I bundled up with 2 layers on the legs, 5 on the top and 3 arm warmers (my legs felt chilled).
We had 24 riders on the start line, 13 in the 50+ race and 11 in my 60+ race.
At the start they said we'd be scored separately, so I raised my hand and asked if the prizes would also be separate;
consultation with the chief referee came back with an affirmative.
There would also be one prime sprint.
The first lap was rather liesurly, taking 1:26 to complete and slower than any other lap.
The pace picked up marginally on the second lap, then Brian Lemke did an attack, getting us to do the fastest lap of 1:01.
We all stayed together though.
At the end of the 4th lap, the officials rang the bell for the prime and I put myself close enough to the front that if the opportunity presented, I could give it a try.
As we came to the final turn, the speed did not seem impossible and I began to make my move on the inside of the turn as we approached the straightaway.
However, I needed to pass 2 riders and the second rider moved in, blocking my intended path.
I eased up, but Mark Fosenburg was on my left and immediately moved over, so I came around the rider and started chasing down the 2 riders ahead of us.
I was closing in and as we crossed a cross-walk with checkerboards like a Daytona 500 finish line, I saw that I was half a bike length short and gave up.
Only then I saw that the actual finish line was a 1.5 inch piece of white tape another 25 meters further and I could have probably taken it;
so good to note for the final finish.
A few attacks came and went with nothing developing into a dangerous gap.
With 3 to go, I took Mark Fosenburg's wheel.
On the final lap, he was a bit farther back than I would have liked, but we still had a half mile to go.
Soon after the 3rd sharp turn, the pace began to wind up.
We were doing about 33 mph and I was back around 8th.
Very little changed as we continued to the line and although I was doing 36 mph at the line, I could not pass anyone and there were 6 or 7 riders in front of me,
but by the numbers on their backs, they were all in the 50+ race.
So I was a bit disappointed that I did not place better and was beaten by some riders that I normally would have placed ahead of.
The results were posted and indeed I was first in the 60+ race.
When I asked about prizes, I was told that the prizes were for the combined group, placing down to 5.
I said that they had told us at the line that prizes would be separate and he said "No, sorry".
So no money in the pocket this morning.
I drove home at 9 am and would return for the 3:40 pm 45+ race later in the day.
Summary
Start
Time |
Distance
(Miles) |
Starters |
Duration |
Weather
(Deg F, mph) |
Speed avg
(MPH) |
Speed Max
(MPH) |
Course Length
(Miles) |
| 7:48 am |
10.2 |
12 |
24:03 |
46, Calm |
24.9 |
36.0 |
0.5 |
60+ Results 50+ Results
Racing page Bike page