Sunday, June 29, 2008

Last Race in VA. Field Sprint

Today was the Reston Town Center GP, a MABRA and VAcycling points event with something like 73 guys starting the 3 race. I honestly haven't been riding that much except for Tuesday night's great bridge worlds and a couple hours just outside chillin. Plus I have a love/hate with reston. I won last year's 4 race via a 14 lap solo counter of a preme that stuck. That was cool. But I specifically remember seeing guys drive their bikes into the curb on the very fast two lanes to a single lane downhill left hander that has eaten many bikes and given many ambulance rides.

Its funny how that kind of mental picture stays with you. Thats the hate part of reston. I am terrified of the course. If one person does something stupid into that corner, its bad news for the 35 guys behind him. Keeping this in mind, I went right from the gun. I took a guy with me for about 2 laps then he drifted back. The gentleman below (excuse me for not knowing all the MD guys) bridged across and we put in a good effort. However, guys like Bryan Vaughan weren't having any breakaways stick. Thats a good and bad thing. I would much rather have been in a group of 5 guys up the road. But if I was gassed, it was nice to know others were motivated to reel everything in. I like Bryan because I think he's bigger than me. He's definitely taller and races somewhat like I do. But most of the time when I am out of town, I am a lone teammate and that gives me freedom to do what I want. I like that when I am strong. I guess my legs are good lately.

First attempt to get away.


The 3 race had some decent premes. I wasnt hunting for any. Specifically, I was interested in countering hoping to draw out some of the stronger guys willing to work. I went after the 1st preme and spent another 3 laps by myself.

After getting caught, I rested in the back enjoying the draft. Of course, some more premes made me think that if it were going to be a field sprint, I had to come away with something. I got second in a preme that paid two deep and easily took the 3rd preme by myself.

The race starts to get interesting here. Those who have raced Reston see this kind of thing all the time. A guy takes a flyer with 3 laps to go. He got 100yds and looked pretty good by himself. But he ends up gassed and just couldn't hold it. I was 6th wheel going into the bell lap. BIke Doctor looked good leading the train but wasnt interested in pulling down the back stretch. At this point, I was thinking two things. First, I didnt want to crash and I was terrified of the back downhill sweeping left hand turn. Second, if I went this early, I would likely be caught. However, because most people think I am crazy for being off the front so much and being pulled back, they might just give me some room. So I went to the front and put in some hard pedal strokes into the couple turns before hell corner. I took a peek over my shoulder and it was working. THe field was single file stretched out. At this point, I was happy to let my 199lbs of momentum carry me up the backside stretch after hell corner. Smaller guys do not enjoy this advantage. I rode high tempo for another 200 yds and 2 turns. I was 1st coming out of the last turn and just put my head down. I was only able to manage 34mph up the hill to the finish but it was enough to hold everyone off. My 1st field sprint win this year! It was great.



Me explaining my strategy post race!


Wick trying to decide if the plastic he sees is hot or not. This guy is going to be fast next year! I said it first. Watch out for wick-nasty! All he needs is a little motivation and one good result and he'll be on fire. I have inside knowledge that a blog is coming soon. Stay tuned! Thanks for all the great travels and riding pal!


Who is this hottie checking out my team kit?

The best water-bottle hander-outter ever! Thanks for all the support annie!

Kyle Jones gets the t-shirt of the summer award! Click any pic to make it bigger (and read kyle's shirt).


Last but not least, Happy 29th B-day to Cindy Winder. Cin-balls is responsible for all photos seen in this post. Thanks for the ice cold after-race refreshment!


AND, watch out Fitchburg. T-kranes is headin up. Elliot, Lucas, and myself are driving north. I cant help myself. I dont want to leave this fitness without really testing myself against some great riders.



16 comments:

Glover said...

AWESOME!!!! Way to go!!!

Anonymous said...

Dang, Bender. You know how to go out in style!

Anonymous said...

dude you could win the bar if the guys right behind you dont have any good results in the remaining races

Emma said...

CONGRATS Jdub!

If you're passing through AZ on your way to Cali give me a call so we can get together for lunch or dinner!

Gene Fowler said...

I thought you were a Cat 2 now!!!!!

Sandbagger!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Most Excellent! Good luck in Calli! Harlan

Chris said...

Nice work jdub! You going to be doing more of the same in Cali?

Anonymous said...

I don't know exactly which situation it was in this picture but most of the plastic I saw there was not hot although I did have intentions of accidentally touching a few, great job up there good luck in fitchburg - Wick

Anonymous said...

sweet work, you the man, leBleu!!!!!

Fatguy Racer said...

Nice job! You look awful familar to me. Did you start racing 10 years ago as a Cat 5, live in MD then move to Colorado?

jw said...

John,

I did start racing about 11 years ago while at USNA, then moved to CO for 6 months to attend USAFA. DId we ride together?

Fatguy Racer said...

Yup, we did. We had a common friend named Eric. Remember the MS 150 ride in Chestertown? Shortly after that we carpooled in your PU with the bike rack on the roof of the cab to your first Cat5 race in Dover, DE. You won, I got 7th. I think we got some cheesy medals. I still have it. I was living in Glen Burnie at the time. I think at the time your were riding a Merckx. I was riding for Bike Doctor at the time. Shortly after that you headed off west.

Stephen said...

I was the guy chasing you in that first break attempt. I am also the guy that was telling you after the race that I have met and ridden with some of your team mates down in Elizabeth City, NC. Nice job! You were working real hard and kept the pace high.

jw said...

John,
you have me confused with someone else. I have never had a roofrack and the only charity rides I have done are the lance armstrong rides. Sorry to confuse you. I wish that when I was poor I rode a merckx!

Fatguy Racer said...

Hey no problem Jim. I guess I do have you confused with someone else. Old age will do that. Good luck with your move.

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