FLCC> Short Report - Bingo Circuit Part Duex

[Charles Hamilton]

The story of the day at Binghamton has got to be Steve E. lining up at
three back to back races - an uphill timetrial, a fast circuit race
for the Empire State Games Qualifier, and a less fast cat 4/5 circuit
on the same course about two minutes later.

I lined up at the start of my one race with Cookies Peter B and Jack
alongside when Steve pulls up in a fresh jersey with a heart rate
still in the 140s.  The winners of the previous race are still warming
down when we roll off for lap 1 of 20.

The pace was fairly laid back for the first couple of laps despite a
short Steve attack and a swarm of at least 7 Bingo Velo riders in
yellow.  One of the three Big Horn Velo riders starts singing "Sun,
Sun, Mr. Golden Sun..." as storm clouds threaten.  I'm wishing I
remembered my ski goggles.

The Bingo guys are sending a different rider briefly off the front
each lap with nothing sticking when we roll down lap 5 or so.  A
strong looking rider with something about the Amish written on his
frame (Amish Pursuit Team?), two others and a bingo guy make an
attempt off the front.  Figuring the yellow menace behind won't chase
their teammate, I jump up to join what could be a good break. With 3
of the 5 sitting in and maybe 25 yards on the pack, it's clear we're
not staying away for 15 more laps, so I soft pedal back as the rain
starts in earnest.

Peter B. does a few good turns off the front through the rain and I'm
doing my best to hide behind a 6 foot 4 Aussie wind-shield.  Nothing
too exciting happens as the rain eventually dies down.  Jack manages
to remove his clip on sunglasses without crashing and still maintains
position.  The Big Horn guys mess around a bit near the front and
Yellow Bingo continues the one at a time, no chasing tactic.  I'm
hanging near the back chatting it up with Steve who by lap 15 is
hurting bad on each climb.  He's only got 60 miles of racing in his
legs at this point.

Three laps left and two guys go off hard, neither of them in yellow.
I'm sitting back figuring the Bingo team can chase them down, when I
overhear one of the Bingo guys say something about it being a friend
up in the break.  Maybe a stealth non-bingo bingo is off the front,
either way no one seems to be chasing.

Two laps left and Amish guy, who had been resting back after being
fairly animated for the first 2/3 of the race, charges up the side, I
follow fast down the hill but don't pull through just as a now
animated chase pulls up along side.  Once more up the hill with the
bell ringing for the last lap I maintain position as Jack pulls hard
to the line.  Last time down the hill we're closing on the two break
away artists and make the catch just at the start of the flat about
3/4 mile from the finish.

I'm starting to get boxed in as the group swarms up each side.  Just
before we start the hill there'ås Steve about 5 up on me following a
train of riders.  I figure if he's there after the day he's had, I
better find an outlet and put whatever I have left into the finish.  I
pull right around a wall of riders and punch hard to the finish.

Grunting across the line I'm a few lengths back from the top 3 and a
few ahead of the bunch for 4th place.  Peter comes in near the top 10
after a great ride and I think Jack just nipped a now fully cramped up
Steve.

Great racing and thanks to TVC for putting on the event.

-Charles