Post by Josh Whitmore on Apr 15, 2006 17:17:16 GMT -5
Last week I ventured back to my most recent home state - Montana, to do a bit of work on our house, visit with friends, but most importantly to race the annual ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROUBAIX (RMR).
Always held on the same day as the real Paris-Roubaix race in Europe, the RMR always proves to have similar qualities. Instead of cobbles, this race is held on roads that have sections of pavement and sections of dirt/gravel road. The race tends to be long and epic, with the dirt sections making the selections between the strong riders and the "not so strong" riders. Some of the dirt roads are smooth and even, most have big chunks of gravel and loads of potholes. Overall the race is a blast and I have a special affinity for it, perhaps as great as George Hincappi to win the real Roubaix. The Pro/1/2 race is no joke with riders from all over the NW.
So there I was with 10 miles to go, on the second to last section of dirt. There was one guy up the road with about 2 mins on my group of about 8. There were several other small groups behind us. I had been feeling strong and was ready to put in some attacks on the hills of the last dirt section. That's when I got a flat. Loads of people flat each year, its a bit of luck I guess. After some confusion (the first wheel I got was a 8 speed campy, I have shimano 10 speed, the wheel didn't even work) I got a good wheel and started to chase like crazy.
I started catching people that had gotten dropped from the lead group as they put in attacks. They were all blown and of no help to me. I chased harder and was catching the lead group. The gap closed very slowly. With 1km to go I was about 100m behind the group, now down to 3 riders. I put in one last hard effort and closed the gap down to 10m when the group of 3 started sprinting for the line. The one guy had stayed away, then the group of 3, and then me. That put me 5th place of the Pro/1/2's. We had 96 starters.
I was very happy for the result and the performance of chasing, but super disappointed with the flat. I don't think I could have caught the leader, but I could very well have been 2nd. In any case, I have some points now to upgrade to Cat 1.
So another year of RMR in the books, I'll have to venture back again for that illustrious win some other time. At least my handlebars didn't sheer off, or I didn't get stopped by any trains.
Always held on the same day as the real Paris-Roubaix race in Europe, the RMR always proves to have similar qualities. Instead of cobbles, this race is held on roads that have sections of pavement and sections of dirt/gravel road. The race tends to be long and epic, with the dirt sections making the selections between the strong riders and the "not so strong" riders. Some of the dirt roads are smooth and even, most have big chunks of gravel and loads of potholes. Overall the race is a blast and I have a special affinity for it, perhaps as great as George Hincappi to win the real Roubaix. The Pro/1/2 race is no joke with riders from all over the NW.
So there I was with 10 miles to go, on the second to last section of dirt. There was one guy up the road with about 2 mins on my group of about 8. There were several other small groups behind us. I had been feeling strong and was ready to put in some attacks on the hills of the last dirt section. That's when I got a flat. Loads of people flat each year, its a bit of luck I guess. After some confusion (the first wheel I got was a 8 speed campy, I have shimano 10 speed, the wheel didn't even work) I got a good wheel and started to chase like crazy.
I started catching people that had gotten dropped from the lead group as they put in attacks. They were all blown and of no help to me. I chased harder and was catching the lead group. The gap closed very slowly. With 1km to go I was about 100m behind the group, now down to 3 riders. I put in one last hard effort and closed the gap down to 10m when the group of 3 started sprinting for the line. The one guy had stayed away, then the group of 3, and then me. That put me 5th place of the Pro/1/2's. We had 96 starters.
I was very happy for the result and the performance of chasing, but super disappointed with the flat. I don't think I could have caught the leader, but I could very well have been 2nd. In any case, I have some points now to upgrade to Cat 1.
So another year of RMR in the books, I'll have to venture back again for that illustrious win some other time. At least my handlebars didn't sheer off, or I didn't get stopped by any trains.
