WHAT A BLAST!!!! I can't wait till next Thursday.

When I arrived and registered, the lady running the race recommended that I do the C race my first time, so I followed her recommendation. I am happy that I did it, because now I can't wait to try doing the B race.

I won the sprints points competition with 16 points (I didn't even contend for the 2nd to last). I had a couple people ask me how many times I have raced in the past, I even heard a guy say "I am not even trying anymore" after I beat him on one of the sprints. Nothing like building confidence by sandbagging.

After the race, this guy came up to me and told me that because of me and one other new face, the pace of the C group was pushed a little harder than normal. We were actually lapping other riders from the C group.

What I learned:
- Listen to Chris. If he thinks you should do B, then do B
- The only way to get ready for riding in a peleton, is riding in a peleton. You don't really get any experience in C, and D is even worse
- Racing at NHIS is a blast

My favorite part of the race was right after the first climb, you drop down into a very sharp banked corner with so much speed you can feel the G-forces pulling you up the track.

-- Ken
 
"If you brake, you don't win." Racer Mario Cipollini

I GOT DROPPED!!!!!

Road races are not very forgiving, even when making one little mistake.

I raced the B's tonight. I won the 1st sprint, and got either 2nd or 3rd on the 3rd sprint. Then after the sprint I was drifting back into the pack and couldn't tell that they were accelerating for the hill. By the time I noticed, it was too late and I didn't have enough in my legs to stay, even on the back.

So, today I learned that after a sprint, just keep going and let the peleton form around you rather than waiting for them to catch up.

-- Ken
 
"If you brake, you don't win." Racer Mario Cipollini

Actually, I think the highlight of the night was on my last lap. Since I am not supposed to sprint after being dropped (gentlemens rules), I figured I would be a lead out guy. On the last climb I attacked and a couple strong guys came with me. No one else was able to match the acceleration, so the sprint for 1st and 2nd was going to come down to them. They followed me through the s' and then I broke off right at the end. They came back to me afterwards and thanked me for the leadout.

-- Ken
 
"If you brake, you don't win." Racer Mario Cipollini