Bicycle Racing

Tour of Somerville is a great race that means a lot to me because that was a benchmark for Nathan when he was 16 three years ago and I was 13. When I saw him racing with the field there I dreamed that someday I might be that good. Last year I did it and got caught out in some gaps that formed after a crash 3 laps into the race but I probably would have been dropped anyway. This year I had the same great determination and I had a great race. It was my best race this season by far, I had so much fun.

I got a good warmup and then sat at the gate right by the line for 15 minutes so I could get a front row spot since the race starts very fast. I got a front row spot, but I was nervous and missed my pedal twice and was soon at the back of the pack. The race was around 60 juniors total, and at least 15 get dropped on the first lap so I knew I had to move up and I was able to. Kevin McGuire attacked, then Ben Salibra bridged across to him, then the other danger riders started going across to this break one by one, Jesse Keough, Juan Carmona, and some other dudes until it was some of the best riders in the race off the front ten to twelve total by five laps in and so I thought maybe I could be clever and slip into this group and just sit on. It was strung out through the .6 mile finishing straight but the pace slowed down just before the main bulk of spectators came into view. I immediately attacked and went really fast and I caught up to the break but I looked back and Zach Noonan was on my wheel along with the rest of the pack. Then I was feeling pretty tired. The race was fast. so fast. The race was only 15 miles but we did it in only a little over 30 minutes. I kept good position but wasn't bold enough to follow any more attacks, although it didn't seem like any of them were going anywhere.

The last lap was hectic and I played it very well. There were constant attacks and the group was splitting apart, there were a couple of people off the front alone and in groups of two, but I rode near the front and followed an attack that formed a ten person split in the pack on the last lap. I thought I could get top 15 if I could keep up with this group, but although I played it aggressive and followed the right wheels I wasn't strong enough because when it came to the rediculously long sprint I sprinted as hard as I could and still apparently got passed by every single person who was still in the front group. I finished 33rd though, and apparently it is better than my brother ever did at Somerville. I counted it up to send in with my upgrade, and there were 10 cat 2s in this race, including 3 national team members. It is cool that 10 out of the 33 people in the pack were cat 2s, I think that is a testament to how hard the race was.

I kicked off my cat 3 racing career today doing a junior time trial. I felt really good and got 30:37, 45 seconds faster than last year. I had some difficulties though because last night I did not sleep well, because after being asleep for a little I woke up to go to the bathroom and hit my toe and cut it open and messed up the toe nail which got bruised really badly. The rest of the night it hurt too much and I couldn't fall asleep so I didn't really sleep the night before the time trial. Fortunately I was able to get it in the shoe in a way that it didn't hurt that much. I got 2nd place still which is funny because I have gotten 2nd in the last three time trials I have done (Church Creek, Deep Blue, and Church Creek) although all to different people (Andy, Justin, and Steven). Maybe someday I will win a race again.