I got called up second row this week. They changed the course a little this year. The rain made it tacky and this course us usually up and down, and up and down. Hard one. The start has been an uphill one in the past but this year we started at the top of the hill, which is where I made my first mistake. I was in the wrong gear, so when the gun went off I spun too fast and missed clipped. Then, I panicked because I had to try and catch the lead group. I burned a ton of matches, but finally caught them on the steep hill before the start/finish. Unfortunately one guy in the lead group botched the climb and there was separation. That's all it takes. Four of us were suddenly "the chase group".
The agony of the hill
The four of us rode hard for several laps. There was a downhill barrier that some were hopping over and I had to run. My hopping skills aren't the best and it is my priority to work on it for next year. I am not sure 40 year olds should be jumping barriers. We'll see how that progresses. I was losing time every time we went through the downhill barrier. I hung tight until we hit a stretch of pavement and I went down. I was more shocked than anything. It seemed like I slid forever. More guys passed me and now my day went from bad to worse. I managed to pull my carcass off the ground. Nothing was hurt too bad, just some road rash. I thought roadies got road rash? Lame.... I managed to drag myself to the finish line for 13th. My worst finish of the season. But now I am fired up for the last race of the BASP. My favorite course with just one steep kicker of a hill which I can just power over. Can't wait....
This hill isn't getting any easier...
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