Conference noted::bicycle

467.0. "Lake Sunnapee Road Race" by RETORT::SCHNARE (CHARLIE SCHNARE) Mon Sep 14 1987 09:55

Lake Sunnapee Road Race 48mi


Started out a gray dank day with the temperature around 60F. Sure looked 
like it would rain at any moment but fortunately the rain held off till 
the completion of all the races. Was cool enough for me to wear a long 
sleeve polypro jersey. On some of the long down hill descents I was glad 
I had it on.

Our race started at 10:10 56 Vets towed the line,we were the third group
to go off. The course is a hilly 23 mile loop which goes around Lake 
Sunnapee. The first mile to the Sunnapee rotary was a controlled start.
Once by the rotary the race started on what is basically is the only
flat section of the course. The first five miles was uneventful which
was true to form cause everyone was waiting for the hills where the real
racing takes place. After passing thru Sunnapee center the climbing 
starts. About 10 miles of hills face you and some are fairly steep say 
12 to 15 percent grade. It was on the last really steep grade that a 
all out attack took place and eight riders got away in a break. I was in 
the chase group of 15 which chased for about 20 miles. We had the break 
in sight most of the way back to Sunnapee center but once we got into the 
hills again the gap became even wider. One rider got spit out of the 
break and another flatted. So six stayed together till the end. The 
finish is about a 1 mile climb back the the Sunnapee ski area. The final 
40 yds or so are quite steep about 12% grade I would guess. Our group of
15 set up for the field sprint. I was fourth in the sprint and finished
10th overall. Was a good race, well organized and run. The results were
posted very quickly and everyone was happy that it had not rained.