the return of grass track

Dear Readers,

Today marked the start of 2015 DCCoD (Delaware Cyclocross Coalition of Delaware) grass track season. (I)Paul the mad-man/master mind behind DCCoD grass track gave us a brief reminder of the rules:

1. no tubulars glued last year
2. big ring only
3. no crashing
4. have fun

Paul has been giving that speech before every session since 2007.  Yeah- 2007.

We had a nice group of riders today. It was a competitive,and fun. I always forget how hard it is to make a bike go fast on the grass.

As I think about my morning ride, the third effort sticks out in my mind.

It was a 6 laps points race with sprint points on laps 2-4-6. My plan was to go hard from the gun and try to steal the first sprint. But then I false started. After everyone got re-set, we re-started, but this time everyone had my adopted my plan, and I was pretty much DFL on the line.

After two laps, I was in 4th, and the pace at the front let up just a bit as Ryan, John, Dennis and Mike recovered from the first sprint. I stood and attacked coming around the group. I was out of the saddle going full gas as the third lap completed. All that stood in the way of me, and winning the second sprint was 200 meters. Perhaps my deception and guile would pay off!

But then a funny thing happened. Ryan, buoyed perhaps by the hair of Thor closed the gap and clawed his way back to my rear wheel. We entered the final straight and I could see him creeping up on the inside. I stood and sprinted with every bit of strength I could muster. Ryan kept coming and as the lap finished we both threw our bikes for the line.  We rounded the corner and started the final two laps.

As we completed lap 5 and passed (I)Paul,  he yelled, "Ryan got you on the line!" Ryan stood and accelerated again as we started our final lap. He quickly opened up a bike, two bike length lead on me. I stood to respond, but the lights were on and no one was home. Ryan rolled to the finish with a comfortable gap as he took the effort, posting up with a smile as he glanced back at me. Youth, strength and talent had been triumphant over age, deception and guile. It's the answer to the test that I already know, but can't walk away and give up yet...

Grass Track was awesome today. Great to be on the cross bike and to racing with some friends. That lap 4 sprint was the highlight of the day for me, despite not getting it. That was my one shining moment, in the course of getting slapped around. But it was worth it. That moment- that meaningless sprint on lap 4 of a 6 lap points race was perfect. There was no thought of my knee, or of work, or of life,  or anything just looking for  a little more to make it to the line first... That effort- made my day.

Next session, next Sunday...

thanks for reading

respect
fatmarc