There were two races, one a 13 mile loop for new racers and the other a 26 mile loop for those with annual licenses. Everyone on the 26 mile loop started together. Weather was a perfect apple day which is fitting for an apple festival: cool in the shade, warm in the sun, puffy white clouds dotting the sky.
We lined up shortly before 10:15 on 9/11/10 to get our race instructions. Stay to the right of the yellow line, arrows in red on road, watch the shoulder since they are rough, lead car, moto, sag truck, 3 KOM/QOM sprints, cash prizes for setting new records.
The start was a bit of a descent leading into the first climb. Things were controlled down the hill and then heated up on the climb and the pack of 44 riders broke apart. I was in the second group on the road as we crested the climb. We rode together over the next group of rolling hills and then at a crucial right hand turn there were some crossed signals. All of us went strait (down a hill) where we should have turned right. As bad luck would have it I did not turn around quite as quickly as the bulk of the group and lost contact with them climbing and into the head wind after the turn.
Eventually, after 4 windy miles on my own I was caught by a couple of other riders and four of us (three guys and I) worked together from the top of the first K/QOM until the final climb to the finish, at which point we separated a bit. I had no idea if there was a woman in the first group on the road or how close anyone behind us was, so I just focused on sticking with my little group.
It turns out there were no women in front of me so I managed to take home the QOM jersey (a nice off the rack jersey that the organizes had embroidered with "applefest 2010 QOM") and the first place prize money. The second place woman was around two minutes back, with the three other finishers spread out behind her. A 6th rider had started but did not finish - I am not sure what happened with her.
Although there was only one other FLCC rider there (whose dad cheered for me at each K/QOM), a whole slew of TVC riders came to race. One of them was celebrating his birthday so after the race we all had lunch together and then shared the pie I had backed for the birthday boy. It was a great way to end a low key and fun day as well as a tough road season.
'Cross season in NYS opened on the 12 with a race in Clinton NY. I did not attend due to the lack of 'cross tires and 'cross sensible shoes. However, tires are on the way, the bike is getting tuned up, and shoes have been purchased. In theory if the bike is ready in time, I can race him this weekend. However, having been mesmerized and taken in by a pair of Sidi shoes, I will be all set up to race, but won't be able to afford the entry fees. Ah ... such is life... maybe family will go for me paying race entry fees instead of finding birthday gifts for them... after all it will leave them with the peace of mind that I am off sliding around slick courses in cold wet conditions on inadequate equipment rather than getting into trouble at home....
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