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Masters Report from Sibley |
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Written by Tim Smith
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Sunday, 17 May 2009 |
Don, Steve, and I rolled out from Sibley under chilly and overcast skies. We got to the course and started out with what would be the finish climb. I was pretty psyched because this would be a ‘hill finish’ and I could tell this hill was already making some of the field regret it.
On the first lap it was great to see so much Nature Valley green at the front of the pack. Don, Steve, and I were all taking pulls at the front. Don has let me know there was a steep descent where you could get some major speed going downhill, so I told Don, just make sure I am in front prior to the descent (Speed = ˝ mV2…and I am lacking in mass). We all met the descent and Don and I (more so Don) where bombing down the hill when the guy in front of us had his back brake lock up on his carbon rim. Not a pleasant scent or sound. Plus the guys was reaching back trying to pry it lose while going 40 plus mph. This kind of rattled me. But after some work to get back on the pack, Don, Steve, and I were all heading back for lap 2 up the hill.
Don led up the first half of the hill and then I took over for him. As soon as we crested the hill, the surges started. This would set the stage for lap 2 which was nothing but attack after attack. Steve and I managed to cover most of them and as we headed towards the second time down the descent, I did all I could to stay near the front. Too many guys bigger than me had a weight advantage going downhill. But by this time, a small group of three had been allowed to go off the front. They were still about the same distance away by the time we got to the bottom of the hill and headed for the start hill again. Halfway up the hill, someone from G.S. Circo Assurro realized I was near the back on the hill and they heckled me wondering why I was not stomping on it to catch the group of three just in front of us. I laughed at first then figured sure why not? So I went to the front, hammered up the hill with pack in tow and caught the three in front of us.
Lap 3 was moderate compared to lap 2. I think everyone was biding their time before the last time up the hill. There were a couple of attacks and I got up in front a few times and weaved around to no end to try and get off the front, but I stayed up there to ensure I was out in front for the last dive down the course’s hill. After the hill, the last stretch towards the final climb held a few attacks which were reeled in. I then found myself out front, so I even tried for a solo break. I kept looking back and it seemed like no one was countering, but eventually they did and we were all together for the climb. A guy from GrandStay jumped out front and I hopped onto his wheel and drafted behind him for the first half of the climb. I was waiting to until we turned with about 500 m to go and then I was going to go. Unfortunately someone else had another plan and they darted off along the side of the road and made a break. I could not match the explosion and was relegated to 7th after a bunch finish as the hill eased up a bit at the finish line.
Oh well, live and learn. Should of went at the base on my own. But it was great to see all the green today. So if you want to put the hammer down and have some fun, join the 35 plus crowd if you can.
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