Opus # 2 : Bringing Back the Sprinting Legs


As I type this, my legs are still sore and I've decided to take a day of rest from training. Opus last night was tough for me. I was still feeling sluggish from my huge effort on Saturday. For those who don't know, this Tuesday night mainstay of Minnesota spring cycling is a 1 mile loop on a one way office park freeway. The Opus area is a maze of curved one-way streets, once you get in, it's tough to find the right way out. Our race is a 24 lap points race with the winner determined by the rider who accumulates the greatest number. There is a sprint every three laps with points three places deep.

The race started off slow and it was difficult to maintain a solid position near the front of the field. Plenty of Category 3 riders were taking half-hearted fliers to the front of the group, only to look around in bewilderment once there weren't any riders left to pass. The officials then forgot to ring the bell for the first sprint, but the pace increased anyway and we set up for it. Dan patrolled the front of the field and Eric Marcotte was the first to attack. I followed his wheel and came around to take the first points of the night. The sprint hurt me though. I could tell it was going to be a long race. Over the course of the next few sprints. I managed to win the next one, then Dano took one, I jumped late and Hareland beat me in another, and I won another one in a close battle him on the next sprint. Then things got crazy. I was dizzy and tired. Pete Hanna was yelling at Matt Henry for some alleged irratic riding. Apparantly a few guys got off the front, but I didn't even see it happen. I made an attack for the next sprint and Eric Dahl came along. He told me he had a teammate up the road, and I in shock that anyone was up there. We caught the move, rode right through them and proceeded to TT our way off the front with six laps to go. Finally my legs started to feel better and I was getting up to speed. Eric and I thought we were winning, yet Bjorn and Dewey were away ahead of us. I let Dahl take the points at three laps to go under the stipulation that I got the win at the end. He agreed and we continued on our ride. With two to go, Dewey and Bjorn appeared in front of us. I realized we'd been riding in third and fourth all along. I went hard at the front to close the gap and dropped Eric. As I came up to the lead duo I hit it hard and rode right by them. They managed to get my wheel and it was on. Bjorn attacked with one to go, but it was too easy to sit on his wheel. I forced him to lead me out and I took the sprint for the win at the end.

While our breakaway drama was taking place, there was an big crash near the front of the field. Dan, Aric, Sickboy and a lot of good riders were left on the sidelines for the rest of the race. Fortunately, other than some banged up bike parts, people seemed to get away unhurt. Another win for the green team keeps the momentum rolling into the Avon road race on Saturday. Tomorrow I'm heading over to Hollywood Cycles for a TT bike setup. Every time I call that guy he is busy as hell. I'm really glad he's seeing his dream become reality. Appropriately, I'll sign off today saying "Party On".


Posted: Wed - May 3, 2006 at 06:21 PM          

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