FLCC> Hollenbeck's - One Lap

[Steve Edgar]

I was undecided as to whether to ride a one or two lap race yesterday  
at Hollenbecks.  I generally like to ride the toughest event I can,  
but a lack of climbing speed had me wondering if I might get ejected  
the first time up Parker St. in the 3/4 race.  I went for the Masters  
race thinking it would be better to ride with a bunch of folks for  
one lap, than solo for more.

As expected, I was in some difficulty up Parker St.  I made the front  
group of 15 or so, but had to bridge on at the crest.  Over Babcock  
Hollow, I faired a bit better.

Strong man Bob Schultz was away solo.  He had taken off on Babcock  
Hollow, and had a team mate blocking for him.  Tactically, this is an  
easy situation to handle, but you do need a small number of folks who  
will organize, and they must know how to ride efficiently around a  
blocker.  A few of the guys were willing, but were too easily foiled  
by the polite blocking.  With no critical mass forming, I elected to  
save what modest strength I had left.  (Bob would stay away and win  
the race.)

Although I was not one of the stronger guys in the group, I was going  
to take an opportunity if it arose.  And it did, going up the blipper  
hill into Virgil.  The group slowed, and I jumped.  Thor (Bob's team  
mate) came by me fast and put about 20 meters on me.  Another rider  
bridged to me, and the two of us stretched a tenuous gap.

The group closed us down as we hit the final, but I was well  
positioned in 2nd.  Adrius and Rhino opened it up early, and came by  
me.  I picked it up a notch and tried to carry some tempo into the  
pitch.  Thor and Rhino exploded, and went backwards.  The best I  
could do on the steep section was keep my 27 turning over, sitting  
down.  Six folks steadily creeped by.  I chugged in at 9th.

It was a fun race.  We had a nice size field, and there was good  
action throughout.

Good to see Casey and MikeT riding with us.  With more racing, I  
think they can be quite successful.

-- Steve.