FLCC> Strawberry Race - the middle

[Charles Hamilton]

Happy Father's day to everyone!  I had a tiring but good race this
morning at Strawberry Fest.  We had great Cookie coverage at the event
including:

Glenn
Matt DeWanger
Jacko Hot Tub
Marko Polo
Jason Van Damn
Ano of the Black Carbon
Rhino
Doug Carlson
Peter Blenk
Andy Getzin
MikeTersegno

And honorable cookies out of uniform:
Travis of the Tri
Casey of the Run

First off, apologies to anyone who had to ride right behind me -
apparently hanging a cookies kit up in the basement after racing
through a rainstorm last week is not the same as washing it - I'll do
better next time.

I rolled out in the two lap 4/5 field with Marko, Jacko, Andy Getzin,
Peter, Jason, and Travis.  The neutral start was comfy before a pretty
fast first lap.  I made the first selection as the group hit it hard
past the start and the second selection up the back side, but lost the
lead group on the risers just past the far corner.  Knowing Andy is
super strong from Tuesdays, I was trying hard to mark him, but my
lungs wouldn't back me up, I think I need to do more jump rope work.

I formed up with two or three other chasers and we organized, but
didn't make contact.  On the second lap before the larger hills we
were caught by three or so others including Travis who I thought had
been up with Andy.  Passing a group of 4 horses that didn't give chase
we organized a bit up the hill.  Travis and I traded pulls at the
front for quite a bit, trying a couple of times to break off the
front.  I could tell he was stronger than me and I was trying like
heck, but I couldn't make the attack stick.  The other three riders
would sit in, watch us push and then not pull round.

After the third try not working Travis and I try attack 4.  As I pull
past I put a hand on his back and push hard yelling something to the
effect of don't look back as he powers up the road.  The other three
riders eventually pull past me and I take my turn to sit in watching
Travis TT away.  After a bit of this a rider from the three lap field
pulls past and tows the other guys up to Travis.  I'm too wiped to
stay on.  Apparently the three lap rider pulled off the group of 4 at
the bottom of the finish hill and Travis was able to ride away to win
within or group of 5 or so chasers.

I was caught by one other rider at the bottom of the hill and I sat in
just long enough to recover and sprinted past for my finish.  Andy
Getzin stayed with the lead group who he reported was never really
animated, pushing hard up hills with no attacks or counters, he didn't
win, but was near the lead up the last hill.  I'm looking forward to
Tuesday and hearing how the other fields worked out.

-Charles