| This race S*CKED!!!!!!! For a couple of reasons... First, I flatted...
first time ever (about a little more than half way through). I was with
the lead pack which had dwindled to about 15...
The course was different than two years ago. This was in Andover vs.
No. Andover. The course was great, very hilly which helped weed out
most of the initial pack. The roads, however, were the worst I've ever
ridden. This course would make the Paris-Roubaix feel like a skate on
a mirror... Holes, we're talking H-O-L-E-S! Craggy rough, rocks (I
think I got my snake bite hitting one the size of a golf ball.
Here's the kicker folks... When the races were over we find out that
they're giving only 3 finishes (regardless of age category). The 1st,
2nd and 3rd fastest times... I gotta tell you, they were many, many
upset people at this race.
What a bunch of idiots! We filed applications by age group, were lined
up and sent off by age group... They DID NOT stipulate this bizarre way
of awards until after the race. They should have just sent us off in a
mass start.
I know all the dough goes to charity from this event. I hope they
didn't do this save on a few medals... What they accomplished (if
they hadn't straightened it after I left) was to lose about $700.00-
$800.00 next year to secure a savings of $30.00-$50.00...
The race was well organized, however. Police and marshals at all of
major intersections and lights... even giving single riders right of
way... Plenty of popsicles, ice cream, and juice (free) after the ride.
Beautiful day too...
Chip
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| Wow ... no prizes by age category. Reminds me of the days when the
Citizen race at the Millbury Crit was ALL citizens together; all ages
and women & men - all competing for top 3 spots (at least they all
started together)! Medals cost about $1.50 each ... seems they could have
sprung for medals by category like they did two years ago..
BUT - there are precious few CITIZEN ONLY RR's in the area.
Sketchy results:
My brother Scott (20-29 group) placed 6th. He said one guy took
off from the 20-29 pack with 8 miles to go, and stayed away despite
spirited chases.
In the 40-49 group, a teammate John Walker finished a close
second place. A break of about 7 people formed up in his race,
and 6 of the guys (including John) were working really hard to stay away.
One guy refused to work, and would pull off whenever he got to the
front. When the sprint came, John led it out and dropped all except
- you guessed it - the wheelsucker. The wheelsucker timed it
beautifully and nipped John at the line. John was pissed, but that's
what bikeracing is all about!!
Mark
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| Nice guy! (The wheel-sucker) The guy who won my age division
(30-39), and I can't remember his name, was on the '72 & '76
Olympic rowing team... He WAS wicked strong... I watched him pull
almost the whole race... He even took a right off course and caught
back up to the pack. I think he had the ability to break and stay
out if he wanted too.
Chip
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