I’m officially a Cat 4 roadie after winning the Cat 5 LAMBRA Championship Crit. I was nervous going into this race – a 0.7 mile, L-shaped circuit with some of the worst pavement I’ve seen. I was, however, excited about a short hill after the left-hand turn (riding the course clock-wise). I knew this would be an advantage for me. I didn’t have much of a strategy, but I knew the hill was the place to make a move.
The first few laps were a bit nerve-wracking as we bounced along, jockeying for position. No one wants to be on the front, to avoid doing a lot of work pulling the group, but everyone wants to be near the front to avoid getting caught behind a crash in the back. I ended up on the front for several laps, a lot more than I wanted but rode well within my limits. I pushed the pace just a little up the hill in an attempt to wear down the competition. After several laps, I finally rode slow enough to force a couple of riders to pass.
Five laps to go; the pace quickened. Four laps to go, and I was third wheel. I wanted to attack but knew that timing was key. Patience is often rewarded, and there was still too much ground to cover for me to maintain full throttle. Three laps to go, and I’m back on the front – a terrible attack position. Two laps to go, still on the front I attack up the hill anyway. Maintain speed through the turn and across the flat top. Accelerate in the next turn and down the other side. Rail the next bumpy, brick-paved corner. I get low and accelerate up to 30 mph on the long segment of the course. One lap to go. I don’t look back, but they’re gaining on me. Two more turns and they’ve nearly caught me. But we’re at the hill again. I attack a second time, harder. It’s all or nothing. I stay on the gas down the other side. Take the final turn faster than any other lap, hoping my tires don’t slide out. It’s the final stretch. Stay low. Accelerate. But my legs are ready to quit. I hear the announcer, “Ole Miss is in the lead, but they’re closing the gap!” Out of the saddle and across the line at 36 mph. Victory.
Winning a Cat 5 race is just as much fun as any other category. Sure there were some first timers, but there were some strong riders as well. It’s been a long time since I’ve truly won a race, and it’ll probably be a while before I win another. But it turns out, road racing can be fun, especially when the course involves hills. In fact, mountain bike racing may be ruined for me. Waiting at the start line of my most recent race, a guy commented that the outcome is pretty much already known. And he was right. The podium for that race looked exactly the same as the previous two races. In mountain bike racing, the strongest rider wins. And it’s fun to build strength and skill and advance over the years. But eventually you hit a peak, and riding faster just doesn’t seem possible. Road racing on the other hand is a combination of strength, strategy, sometimes teamwork, and maybe a bit of luck. There are too many unknowns to predict the outcome, and that makes it interesting. Then there’s the quirky niche of gravel racing. Fortunately, I don’t have to pick just one.
Road racing season is over; there’s a handful of mountain bike races left in the fall and
