Housitonic Hills RR

[Yeti Freddie]

This was my 7th time racing this race but my first time on the new modified course.
The new course has steep sections and really steep sections. It's two 27 mile laps with
some serious climbing. My only goal for lap one was to be able to see the front of the race and not
get swamped in the full field of 125 riders. On the second lap, after the first climb the field was suddenly down to about 35. The group took it easy between the big climbs but turned the screws when we started up. My goal was the same: stay near the front. Up the KOM the second time, which was the last climb, there was a moment of panic when I crested and realized that myself and about 10 others had been gapped. After a short stint we were back in.

Our group of 35 were together as we made the turn onto Rt 172. As were headed down hill things were quiet and tense. Every one knew there was a 90º turn right before the line and only the front two rows would have a shot.
1/2 mile out, I was in row two and had a clean hole down the shoulder. I thought no one would be expecting an attack right now and now with .4 to go I might me able to hold it. I threw it all down and got a gap on the field however right before the turn I noticed a shadow behind me. I got reeled in and swamped right before the turn. I sprinted in but had nothing left. Oh well, it was exciting to be leading the front of the race in the last K like that.

As I mentioned in the other thread, it was a good day to be racing on the rd

M

[billd]

Good Job

you would have gone thru a drive train in this race

I did some parts swapping on my Jamis for the race took the old cluster and chain off
the trek and put it on the jamis. the front middle chain ring was worn to a different
pattern and the front was skipping. By the second lap the mud ground the middle
ring into the proper shape for the newer chain and no more skipping.

Brake pads.. What brake pads. mine where gone by the end of the first lap.

[jmeyerle]

Nice Job!
How was the ride on Painter Ridge? I was out the day before and it was a little rough, like no pavement.

John

[mike k.]

Like the bid you made for the line. Want to try this race myself someday.

[Yeti Freddie]

Thanks Mike!

John, the race was routed around the torn up section.
They used the Davenport climb about 1 mile before Nicholes.
Davenport was a significantly harder climb with four ramps that were
between 8% - 12%

M