FLCC> 4 Races in 2 days

[Sandy and Don Fitterer]

First, I want to thank the volunteers that came out in force on Saturday. Marcia and Glenn Swan, and Dave Heck did a lion's share and were the last to leave Greek Peak. Ernie and Bill were there for most of the day. Sara Barker manned the finish line with Marcia while Andrejs assisted Glenn at the start line. Hobit and her Energizer Bunny (aka Jacob) was on one of the corners or turn arounds the entire day! We had a 2nd group of recruits out for the 2pm (or was it 2:30) road race. Rumor has it that Vivian had a noon wake up in to make sure she could make the ride! Thanks to Casey, Rahn, Vivian, Shaun, Wayne, Peter B and his Mum Evelyn and Dad (sorry I don't remember your first name). Peter's parents came all the way from Australia to visit him and he was able to cajole them out to the course with promise of a post race beer and vegemite sandwich. Unfortunately they had to settle for a PB&J out of the back of LiLynn's car and some instant coffee. If there were volunteers I failed to mention I hope others will pipe up so we can give them a pat on the back. Racing can't happen without volunteers and I am very thankful that you folks put forth the time and effort. Also a big hand for Jack Rueckheim for risking a ride in a police car Friday night by breaking into the Ruppert Presidential compound to abscond with the race signs and safety equipment.

Saturday started out a bit chilly but warmed up into a great day to race. First off was a 5k TT which doesn't sound like much of an effort but is very painful. I warmed up for 30 minutes to make sure I didn't pull any muscles. Mike Tersegno was top dog again by 20+ seconds with me next down. We had participants all the way up into the 80+ category! The next race was the 10k TT plus a little more because Ernie made an executive decision to move the last turnaround past all the fresh gravel laid down by the road crews on Van Donzel. Again Mr. T had the best time and I was 1min 20sec or more back from Mike's time. Luckily, I used my tubular carbon wheels on my bike because the 3rd place finisher was only 3 seconds slower than me. Too bad he was riding clinchers on his bike.

I had lent LiLynn the pair of Zipp 303's for Saturday hoping to make a sale. She finished 4th in both TT's. On the road race though she made the podium winning a bronze medal. Way to go Li! We had a very competitive field for the RR and in spite of my best efforts to drop people on the hill we had a group of 8 heading down for the final sprint.

Our very own Alex Specker made the selection to the lead group thanks to his very beautiful cheering section. Iska made the difference on the climbs and I am glad she wasn't able to reach the finish line in time to motivate Alex in the final sprint! Again, Mike T took the win. I went very early attempting to get the gold but was passed a few feet before the line by 3 racers all in my age category! Oh well.

Sunday is the annual Whitney Point race famous for presenting yellow jerseys to the winners of all the race categories. The categories are broken up into 10 year age groups up to 50 years old so there is always a chance to bring home a trophy. Glenn, Ernie, Doug Carlson (or is it Carl Douglason?), Lo-Fat Bailey were the Cookies racing the 50 miler. Marko, myself, Jack R, Rhino, LiLynn, Dave Heck, and Jason (sorry don't have your last name in front of me) all opted for the much easier 26 miler. There was a pretty small turnout as compared to previous years but three teams were well represented and even a surprise visit from our great friend Karl Faruzel. Karl is an excellent cyclist who broke his femur last year in a cyclocross race. Glad to see you back out Karl!

The start of the WP race is controlled through town with the racing taking place right after the I81 overpass. As soon as we arrive Mark puts the hammer down and takes a flyer. No one bites and Jack wonders how long Mark will stay out there. To my left I hear a clanking of gears and the sound of torque buildup. What the heck is that? Zoom flies a tandem down the left side so fast that no one tries to grab their wheel. I don't know who it is but I now have visions of Marko riding the tandems wheel all the way to Marathon and then disappearing over the selection hill soloing to victory! Go Mark! 

Within minutes the three riders disappear. Jack and I are at the front setting a leisurely pace that is now starting to irk the other riders. Soon we have people going to the front with Jack and I working into the rotation. Whenever we reach the front the pace drops back down and soon we have riders surging past us. It's not too long before there are several guys working together and we can start to see the lead group in front of us again. Still, they are not caught until halfway up the climb in Marathon. At the top of the hill it is the Rhino, myself, a young BHV rider named Brian and a NYSEG rider named Corey and two other fellows. We soon lose one guy and then before the first right turn we lose another. The four of us worked very well together and stayed away until the finish. Brian jumped at the perfect time and neither Bill nor I could catch him. Corey was pretty whipped at the end having pulled us the last mile. Bill finished 2nd and I was 3rd. The 2nd chase group came into the finish seconds later with Marko (2nd in the 50+) and Dave Heck. LiLynn and her 303's (she decided on Saturday that they were hers now) stayed with the women in her race and finished 2nd woman overall! Way to go LiLynn! (I just want to point out that one of my predictions actually happened!)

Ernie and his carbon tubular Zipp 404s had a solo break away for 12 miles and won the 50 miler. Glenn was 3rd having roasted the rest of the pack climbing one of the longer hills at 20mph on his Reynolds carbon tubulars. I'll let those guys fill in the details. 

Two great days of racing with good friends. It doesn't get any better. 

Cheers,

Don
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