Race Report

Snelling RR (2/22/14)

by Bernhard Strum

Snelling Road Race, E3s

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Teammates: Jeff Weaver (and a stealthy Jason Martel-Dye?)

Place: 6th

Field size: more than I can count (90?)

Short version:
Rode smart, hiding deep in the pack for 80% of the race. Used the early laps to figure out the best lines on the course (note: there are no good lines on the segment called "equipment nightmare"). Moved up to top 15 at the feed zone and fought to maintain position from then on. Got to the last corner somewhere in the top 12, read/felt the blocking attempt from one team, maneuvered around it, hit the final straightaway in 6th or 7th, and used my questionable sprinting to finish 6th.

Much longer version:
Thee early morning drive to Snelling allowed Jeff and I to devise a masterful race plan: stay with the pack. Keep in mind that neither of us finished the 2013 race due to mechanicals. Thus finishing, and finishing with the pack, seemed like reasonable objectives given our current level of fitness, the new category, and the size of the field (90-100 riders). Jeff and I got ready and quickly warmed up on the road while looking for other DBC riders. Lined up in the back without having spotted any. The race started with the 15mph promenade through town which was nerve racking. Too many riders crammed into single lane with some trying to move up. The actual race start was a major relief especially once I realized that we had the full road (I kept wondering why so many riders were willing to disregard the centerline rule). The biggest difference with 2013? No wind. That was huge given the field size: it made it much easier to hide in the pack and conserve energy. Rode around 50th wheel while trying to keep track of Jeff and any significant breaks (of which there were none). There were plenty of attempts throughout the race but never with with enough numbers (the one exception was quickly dealt with by the field).

The race consists of five 12 mile laps with some pretty rough sections. I used the early laps to figure out how best to ride the course. Two sections were particularly relevant: a bridge on the back side (that might have been transplanted from Germany at the end of World War II) and the 2 mile straight leading to the last turn (AKA "equipment nightmare"). The bridge was short and although the left side was bad, the right side was worse (I rode the left side from then on). "Equipment nightmare" was ... an experience. There was no good line and there were times when I thought I was riding a mechanical bull instead of a fine piece of weaved carbon fiber. On the very first lap I rode on the far left and hit the big dip/hole that has since been dubbed the "Steggall Launcher". Weight and gravity being more friendly to me, I stayed on my bike and made sure I did not hit it again. As a whole the race was uneventful (from my perspective). Quite a few flats, but none caused havoc in the field. A few cars going the opposite direction but we saw most of them with plenty of time to adjust. I just made sure to stay protected, hydrated, and fed. Checked in with Jeff a few times and he was fine. We did spot a mystery rider with DBC bibs but could not figure out who he was (he rode much closer to the front).

Fast forward to the last lap. Both Jeff and I made it to the bell lap with the group. Mission accomplished! Now just 12 miles to go. I could feel my legs due to the various surges and pace but still felt good. I decided to move up at the feed zone and see what would happen. Moved up easily and positioned myself to ride 10-15th wheel. One mistake on my part was not to communicate with Jeff. He saw me move up but was cramping up and chose not to follow (I still should have communicated). After that it was just fighting for position without exposing myself too much. That took effort, but mostly concentration in order to read the field, predict the "washing machine" surges, and adjusting to them. The pack hit the back side of the course, went barreling down toward the WWII bridge, crossed it, and started up the hill that follows. At which point CRASH!! I heard it behind and to my left. Of course there was an immediate surge at the front (my thought process was: glad it's not me, hope Jeff is not involved, go hard, and per Allison Tetrick "don't look back"). Jeff was fine and according to him this created a nice gap in the field. Towards the front we just kept going hard. We rode the "equipment nightmare" at a rattling pace and the surges felt like they came from everywhere even though it was hard to move around. I ended up on the right side of the road following wheels and hitting small gaps. Going into the last right turn I saw a team of two line up center left. The field formed up behind them only to have the second rider slow down and block. I immediately filled the gap and came out of the corner in 6th or 7th and used my fearsome (uphill) sprinting skills to finish 6th. Thrilled with the result. Jeff came in 57th after dealing with the cramping. He was satisfied with the outcome. Once done, we rode back to the last corner where "Air" Steggall (acrobatic crash), Fred, and Mike Gonzales (flat) had gathered.

No doubt about it, this was a day where riding conservative allowed me to be at the right place at the right time. At which point it was just a question of recognizing the situation and taking advantage of it. Great riding day! It was also great seeing many DBC racers out there.

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