FLCC> Tuesdays Ringwood

[Sandy and Don Fitterer]

"What course is it tonight, Don?" "Brooktondale." I answer Jed without hesitation. I see an extendable ear poking above Alex's cubicle and I smile. 

"Ok folks! It's 6pm let's break up into 3 groups and head to Ringwood. The A's, B's and C's can decide what finish line they want when we stop at the top. For those of you new to the course ask someone to describe it to you. I am sure they will tell everything but where the finish line is!"

Jed rides up next to me, "I thought the first race was always Brooktondale?" "It is. We raced there last week." "Jerk." he smirks and ride off with Sara now deigned Queen of Brooktondale after another successful Hollenbecks. 

Once on top, the A's take off first with perhaps 8 riders. Hmmm, that means the B's are going to have like 50 people. Sure enough, LoFat, Ernesto, Rhino, Mad Dog, Psycho Mike P, Shenstoni and other A's decide to stick it to the B's. Rob Seltzer and I decide that the EHC finish is in order. Rob and I get the train moving and after the herd crosses Ringwood LoFat takes off to take on the roll of hare to our hounds. Rob and I cruise at a moderate speed with no one pulling through. Rob stops pedaling and Mad Dog takes off with Psycho on his wheel. Finally, Eli pulls through and others start to get animated. We catch back on with leaders just before the left hander into the final roller on Midline. We navigate 79 safely and then start up EH. The pace is stiff and my legs respond well. I know enough not to be the first one over the top and maintain contact with the lead bunch. Physco takes off with the Aussie on the flats just before Ringwood. I start imagining who will be in my group when I'm shelled at the top of the climb. 

For some reason the pace is not bad and I can still see the 8 to 10 leaders ahead of me when I crest. I strategize that even though Physco is struggling up the hill it is because he is climbing in his 21 (Mike has a custom 21-9 cassette and a 58 tooth big ring on the front). I'm sure that he is motivated do well in the sprint so I don't try to bridge to the leaders by myself. Soon we have a group of 5 working together and as luck would have it one is Abe Struuk and whenever he goes to the front we gain significantly on the lead pack. Well before the right turn through the intersection I hear the thrum-thrum-thrum of Mike P coming through turning 30 rpm warming up for the inevitable sprint. 

I am 5th or 6th through the turn and standing to climb the little grinder. I hear "On your left!" just as the rider in front of me sits and shifts to an easier gear. I have to move left and I try to minimize the amount of room I need. The rhino adjusts but has to cross the yellow line. Peter O gives him a little one on one and I explain later what transpired. Unfortunately for Bill, he has another near miss avoiding a pot hole and riders are moving left and right instead of forward. Mad Dog is so shaken that he actually goes to the front! He realizes his mistake pretty quickly and lets other by for the descent. On Rt 79, the mighty Casey lights a rocket and strings us out. The hill on EH is not bad again and I hold on to the back of the pack as we crest. The pace actually is harder on the descent! 

I start to size up the group forming up for the sprint. There are all the regulars including "Painless" Dave Heck, Peter B and several Cornellians that look strong and hungry. Near Ringwood the pace slows as people start resting for the final effort. I am on the left side with Dave H on my right. I notice a gap and see Ernie standing and winding up to go just after Ringwood. "Dave! He's taking off! Get on his wheel now!" I say this before Ernie is by Dave. Instinctively, Dave stands and accelerates. I move right with him and slide into 3rd spot. Sure enough Ernie moves past everyone and things get exciting. We crest the hill at high speed and Ernie is now on the left side and lets the riders with more momentum roll by him setting him up for the sprint. 

Not even a minute later Ernie doesn't like what he sees because we have at least 15 riders with half of them being people we don't know and no crows feet next to their eyes. Slowly he increases his speed. Mike P notices and calmly positions himself into the number 2 spot. I take the 3 spot when we move past the group slightly to the left of the yellow. Younger riders cry foul but we continue and soon we have a gap as Ernie moves into TT mode. My legs hurt and I am breathing hard. I see Mike move his chain into the number 9 cog and hold on for dear life. Ernie fades just before the last rise and Mike stands. I do too but a gap forms filled by Mad Dog, Rhino, LoFat, the Cat (aka Felix) and another rider. Mike takes Mad Dog and I am content with 6th!

Another great race!

Chubbs 
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