Race Report – Walkersville

Race: Men’s 35+ (no 5s)
Walkersville Road Race
Course: 8 mile rolling roads with one “kicker” of a hill that lasts about 45 – 60 seconds, a long drag sprint. We did 6 Laps for about a tad under 50 miles (48 to be exact:)
Conditions: Somewhat windy–definitely a factor. Also, the course is very narrow for most of the roads (only 1 lane wide) and mostly no shoulder–the double yellow line rule made positioning throughout the race important. If you were more than about 15 back then you really can’t respond to anything.
WWVC Riders: Joe, Chris G, Tom, Pete, Jim and myself
Result: Crash with 400 meters to go (not my fault)

Got to the race site early (for me) and hung around with the team. Of course when they started to warm up, it was time to put my chamois on…after giving some Joe some quick assistance with his bike. My warm up was about 20 minutes, mostly easy with some tempo and LT work throw in. It was a long race and really didn’t start for me until after about 46 miles so no problem with the warm up.

According to the power numbers, the race started out harder…but not hard. Everyone was fresh so it was fairly easy to stay in contact. I started in the front during the neutral roll out and ended up back with the motorcycle by the start of lap 2. What do I do back there you ask? Well, for the most part I mentally check out. I stop worrying about breaks and what is going on at the front of the race and only worry about maintaining contact with the group and conserving energy. I read the wind after every turn and learn where the best spots are on the race course to move up and hide from the wind. I always work my way backwards from the finish so I know how the end will unfold. This was critical since I didn’t pre-ride the course and never did this race before.

To conserve energy and help pass the time, I keep an eye on my average wattage. First lap was about 215 watts and it slowly decreased until about 201 watts on the 4th lap. It increased a bit on the 5th lap, but then actually decreased again on the last lap leaving me with an average of 200 watts for the entire race. My race did stop 400 meters from the line, but that drop in wattage is a clear indication of impending disaster and people are recovering which means more people in the field sprint.

So…I rode a pretty perfect race conserving, learning the course, and hiding from the wind until the last lap. I slowly started to make my way up to the front, and was sitting about mid-field when I say a single file line with Jim sitting about 6th or so. I quickly moved up and to join him and exclaimed politely “Jim, let me in” Good position with about 2 miles to go and I was feeling ready to unleash hell in the last mile. There is a 4 man break up the road, which I am not concerned with in the least. As you can see from Jim’s report, Jim went left as things were constantly reshuffling at the front. I keep the pressure on and was boxed in at times, but it was a long sprint so I had to take that chance and remain out of the wind. I didn’t know where anyone else from WWVC Racing was except for Jim who was in front of me, although not directly. I was constantly looking for a way to get the front to sprint for the finish. With about 600 meters to go, I am anxious, keeping the pressure on, and ready to make a move as soon as see daylight in front of me or anyone make a move. A wedge was kinda forming I was sort of in the middle about 7 or 8 back. A crash happens to my right and I just keep my eyes in front watching my line and I honestly thought the crash wouldn’t affect me. Well…it did. From my right I was hit hard and fast and went down on my left side hard and fast at about 34-35 mph. As I slid on the ground I remember thinking crap, this sucks and please make it stop. Well at least 2 people or groups of people ran into me while I was down and keep the crash going for far too long.

I quickly got up and hobbled to the side of the road. My left calf was nearly locked at this point. It took a hard shot at some point during the crash and I could barely put any pressure on it. My bike had separated from me and ended up at least a few feet away from me and I didn’t care. Someone brought it to the side of the road and I began collecting the pieces. My sunglasses were in 3 pieces, my water bottle with cage sheered off the bike, one of my handlebar end caps came off, and my power tap computer was missing for a few minutes until someone named Jen found it.

I saw Joe up the road clearly looking like he didn’t finish and then the rest of the red jerseys came to my aid. I was quickly instructed to sit down and would be checked out by the paramedic. As a precautionary measure, I was taken to the ER by the ambulance. Things went well there and they released me after maybe 1.5 hours after cleaning my wounds and giving me some food and water. I was allowed to eat my crushed cliff bar remains I had in my pocket and my remaining gel.

Thanks to everyone for your concern. It is great just knowing that all my stuff would be taken care of by you guys. Joe and some GamJams guys got my car to the ER and Joe hung out for a while to make sure I was okay.

I started to assess the damage this morning, and it looks like the frame might be okay, and the wheels look repairable. Lots of other parts are done such as the saddle, pedals, and handlebars. It is also interesting to note, that the only thing on me that survived was my livestrong bracelet and my heart rate monitor strap. Everything else needs replacing…even down to the shoes and cleats.

Summary: I am pleased I did what I came to do (except for the crash). I survived the race and was ready to spring into action…just wasn’t my day.

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