Enumclaw Stage Race

I raced in my first stage race this weekend in Enumclaw Wa, in the shadow of the imposing Mount Ranier. A time trial then a criterium race in down town Enumclaw on Saturday, and a road race on Sunday.

The time trial was a short one, which is just as well as it was my first individual time trial! I managed to borrow a time trial frame from a very generous team mate (thanks Larry!) and Summer gave me a custom fit and the benefit of all her experience before the day of the race, and it really paid off. I got off to a flier and got the 3rd fastest time out of the 60 or so starters.

Later that afternoon, it was the criterium in Enumclaw around a tight course full of technical corners, and fairly poor road surfaces. It was a full on effort from the gun, and hairy as we all vied for position in the corners. The pace slackened a little toward the end, with half of the pack dropped off the back from the eye watering pace. On the final lap, a rider went down one bike in front of me. Goodness knows how I didn't crash as well, but I skidded, swerved, and managed to stay upright - must be all that cyclocross riding!! I lost the wheel of the 4 or 5 guys in front of me, but made up enough of the gap to grab 4th at the line. Could have been better - could have been much worse!! Glad to stay upright to fight another day.

Leaning into those corners:

Business face - leading the crit:

Trailing in 4th

On the Sunday, it was the road race. Three laps with a relatively arduous climb on each lap. 44 miles in all. At the top of the 3rd climd a breakaway of 6 riders formed, and marshalled by my teamate Dean, we worked together to extend a lead on the chasing pack. In the last kilometer, I found myself in front - not a good position to be leading into the sprint. Anyway, at 200 metres or so I jumped as hard as I could and managed to sprint to the finish without anyone coming around....just!

OTB Enumclaw cat 4 squad: Dean, Matt M, me and John before the road race

Up the hill

Leading out the sprint:

It's the old jock by a nose!

I am pleased as punch with my second road win of the season, but it may be my last for some time. I have to upgrade to cat 3 on the road now, and with racing cat 1/2 in 'cross and cat 1 on the mountain bike, wins are going to be much harder to find. All in all a great weekend among friends!