Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic

Sunday Road Race:  This race was only 41 miles but challenged us with over 4500 feet of climbing including a long stretch of gravel to a summit view of Mount Hood peaking out of the clouds.  I felt really amped up for the race and wanted to perform well after a few mediocre performances over the last 2 days.

After rolling through the first couple short laps we really kicked up the pace to stretch out the group. There was a handful of strong climbers able to form a break as we crested the first major climb.  Regretfully, we didn't work well together heading down the descent and into the wind which allowed 8 - 10 riders to join us before the final lap.  I encountered a close call on the first big descent as the rider in front of me over-shot a corner into the ditch. I was able to do a little bunny hop over the ditch to the bank on the other side and rally back onto the road to catch the break by the bottom of the hill.   3 - 4 of us really charged the second lap and I was worked hard to push the pace up the gravel climb and over the top but again, we let a group of 4-5 riders catch on.  Looking back I didn't see either the 1st or 2nd place GC rider with us but given I was 11th overall, there was bound to be at least 3-4 GC contenders in our group which is more then I had hoped for.

I led a final charge up one of the last remaining climbs but couldn't open up a gap. The final GC standing at this point were pretty much set as we headed towards the finish.   As our group cut the corner towards the steep finishing climb,  I was poorly placed and didn't really give myself a shot at the win but I did pass a few riders to roll across in 6th.  (got caught sleeping at the line and lost out on 5th by less then half a wheel...idiot).  Our group built a substantial gap over the rest of the field and I was able to move up to 6th overall in the final GC standings while earning $50 in prize money.  A good start to the season.

Cruising the descent while building a gap on the field

Saturday Crit:  My first crit of the season was super fun.  Fast laps, good cornering and i was able to move around a lot without expending much of an effort.   I moved up into the front 1/3 in the closing laps but didn't pull the trigger on going for the podium.  Nothing is more scary then the dude in an all out sprint for 25th place.  Once my opportunity closed my goal was to stay upright by cruising through the final 2 laps near the back.  All finishers received the same time and I'm still sitting in 11th place going into tomorrow's race at an official minute and 19 seconds back.  I'm really hoping the legs are ready for some suffering tomorrow.

Getting ready for the Crit

Cary Miller of Gentle Lovers eases the tension before the crit.  That guy did a ton of work on the final Road Race.

Cat 1-2, Twilight Race

Cat 1-2

Saturday TT:  The course was a challenging, 11 mile, out and back with a seriously stiff headwind for the first half that threw my front tire around for about 15 minutes.  I wasn't super comfortable using the new deep dish front wheel and went white knuckles for a few moments during the ride but found a good groove for the last 2/3rds of the race.  There was a 5 - 6 very clear mistakes costing me some time but not too much because I finished 13th overall and about 30 seconds off the podium.  Doug Turnbull, a super strong rider I met at last year's race, crushed it today and is in the lead with a 1:17 gap.  It'll be a real challenge to pursue the overall victory tomorrow since Doug's a tough climber but anything can happen.

Tonight is the downtown crit.  I was able to win the cat 4 race here last year but there's definitely some speedsters in this cat 3 field which could make a spot on the podium very difficult.  Might be best to stay out of trouble and conserve for tomorrow's make or break stage.

Warm-up

Don't let this fool you, it was a super chilly, windy day

Friday Road Race:  This was a tough one.  I encountered a minor mechanic on lap 1 which kept me chasing for 10K.  Then entering the last climb of lap 3, everyone started doing all this crazy shit to try to get towards the front.  Travis Monroe, a junior rider who I duked it out with last year was riding well on the last climb, got side swiped and sent to the ground.  I barely missed rolling over him and the other 3-4 riders that took a tumble.  We hit the descent as a big wall of braking bodies which still perplexes me but I couldn't find any room to get to the front to stretch it out.  It's sinful to use so much braking power down such a perfect road for speed but that's how it played out.  We hit the final turn towards the finish and with about 300 to go, another crash right in front of me.  I was moving up through the field and rallying some good speed but i had to halt my effort while avoiding yet another rider sprawled across the road.  At this point, I simply rolled across the finish with the other 50 riders that had anticipated a better day of racing.   Hopefully the officials ward everyone the same finishing time given the finishing wreck totally split the field.

I'll be heading out with Brian E. in a couple hours to The Dalles Oregon for The Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic.  It will be my second time racing in the event and after taking the top spot as a Cat 4 last year, I'm gunning to stand on the podium again as a Cat 3.  It's the perfect race to fire up the motivation for the season and see just how fit you are.  Great competition (coming from 5 states), epic routes (rolling dry roads, steep climbs, stretches of hard packed gravel, epic views of the Columbia and surrounding hills), and brilliant energy...Lets get it going!


The Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic