Friday was the Cyclo-Stampede presented by Dark Horse Racing at Devou Park in Covington, KY. This was a brand new venue for the series. I decided to take the plunge and do the UCI race since it started at 5:30pm. I knew I had no chance at this race but gave it ago anyway. To make things worse, it had rained all night and most of the day, making the course a huge slip and slide. Not the best race to make my UCI debut. Most of the course was off camber and covered in mud. There were sections of mud that was 4-6" deep and you just had to run. Think the USGP in New Jersey last year.
One of Zach's teammates offered to man the pit for me and boy did he do some work for me. I was taking a bike every half lap. This race boiled down to who had the biggest balls to just bomb down the slippery off camber slopes. No tire really helped and you probably could have just rode file treads and done just as good as a Dugast Rhino. Someone told me that Jeremy Powers would simply go as fast as he could down the hills, then when he either crashed or had to get off, he would start running. Anyway, I was glad to get lapped and get out of that muddy mess and brought up the rear at 32nd place (however there were several dnfs)
I hope the race does come back next year because we certainly tore up the grounds. The grounds keeper is going to have to till the whole area, smooth it out and spread seed over 3K of ground. That is going to have to suck. Through word of mouth, I heard that the park was about to back out of the race because it was going to get torn up but the Mayor simply said the race is going to happen and they can do whatever they want!
Afterwards, we were invited to a Burrito party at a house nearby the course. Chad and his wife were generous hosts and provided beer and make-your-own burritos! Chad actually graduated from OU so he was giving me some cheers out on the muddy course.
Saturday's race was the Java Johnny's - Lionhearts presented by Queen City Wheels in Middletown, OH. I came to my senses and did the 2/3 race. A third row start and a great sprint off the line got me in really good position. I felt really good during the entire race and was able to get a solid 18th place. I didn't find that out till Sunday but it was a solid ride none the less. In the Pro race, J-Pow got a huge lead from the get go and rode solo the entire race. He was also pleasing the crowd by bunny hopping over the barriers.
Sunday was Harbin Park presented by Biowheels and United Dairy Farmers. This was by far the hardest course. Ok, Friday was super hard because of the conditions but if it were dry or slightly muddy, it was probably the easiest course. Same third row start but I didn't get as great a start as Saturday. The course bottle necked pretty quickly and then we bombed down a hill into a mud pit. I veered off course and lost a whole bunch of spots. I lost the top twenty with my little off course excursion. Then to make things worse, the course bottle necked again when the course made a right hand turn onto a hill side. Lots of people hopped off and ran it. Then a long uphill straight into an uphill sand pit. After the sand pit, I rode like a mad man trying to make back as many spots as I could. Wound up 36th. Not the result I was looking for but it was still a good race. But I did beat everyone that would give me shit if they had beat me so all is good.
I am currently undecided what to do next weekend. OVCX #6 is in Bloomington, IN but its a long haul to get there. A 6 hour drive for one race. Or I can do the Bike Authority race in Willoughby, OH but that's a 4 hour drive. Or I can stay at home and go drinking because its Homecoming weekend.
Miles: 470
YTD: 7169
YTD: 7169
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