Cat 4/5 Road Race 3 11 mile laps.
Conditions: 55 degrees wind out of the Northwest at 20-30 mph (this is central Illinois
you know)

This was my first attempt at racing so I was a little reluctant and very nervous...
however for some reason I had a lot of confidence based on my performance on our
Thursday night rides with the Proctor Cycling Team et al.

My nerves went away as all the racers lined up but quickly returned as we came to our
first right hand turn 2 miles into the stage. The group consisted of about 30 riders in the
4/5 category and while I do not profess to be anything but a Cat 5 beginner some of the
"Cat's" in the Cat were more like squirrels...very jittery and very unpredictable.
Definitely not like riding the smooth pace line on Thursday nights!!

As you can see from the weather conditions the winds were brutal and staying in the
group was paramount...(note to self: remember that staying in the Peloton is
paramount). The first 2 miles we rode directly South so the pace was fast downwind.
I was in the first two rows of riders for the entire two miles fighting to stay close to the
front!

Our first turn was right and that is where the difficulty began. Sharp turn, cross and into
the wind as well as an immediate uphill run had the group a bit scattered. Being my first
race I was a little unprepared for the acceleration coming out of turns and the cat and
mouse games that go on after a rough turn.

The next 2 miles were an up and down stretch of wind swept farm land with little
reprieve from the wind. I maintained my position in the front 1/4 of the field and tried
to remain on the wheel of Orick (Team Mack) and a couple Proctor guys. I was still
feeling a great deal of nerves at this point but my legs and wind felt good!!

We made another turn right and went straight into the wind with an another
immediate uphill push. I made it to the front of the group and according to Rob,
(I found out after the race Rob was yelling at me to get to the back and find a wheel)
I was being told I was going too hard...Rob, you are a prophet my friend (see where this
is going). Anyway, at this point a couple Proctor guys attacked the field (Bio Bill and
Ryan) and were working well together.

Ryan eventually came back to the group but another rider from the Blue team bridged
to ride with Bio Bill the rest of the way. Once Bio and Ryan were away a Mack rider
(???) started to attack...and being that I could not hear (see Rob's attempt above) AND
felt pretty confident, I went with him...this is mile 7 remember and straight into the wind.

It took me about 60 seconds of all out hammering to get to the Mack guy and in the end
cost me everything...Made the turn at about mile 8.50 to go downwind. At that point I
was 3 bike lengths off the last rider in the Peloton and it might as well have been 300 ...

I rode the next 3-4 miles with the group/Peloton within about 50-200 meters but as
soon as we crossed the one lap line and then headed back into the wind I was doomed.

Talk about a slow and agonizing death...I slowly watched the group move further and
further away...it is a sad and helpless feeling! BUT...I accomplished two goals:

1. I did not quit
2. I did not finish last :)

Bio Bill and the Blue rider built a 4-5 minute lead with Bill doing most of the work and
eventually Blue out sprinted Bill for the win...Great Job by Bio Bill though. I believe he
has finished on the "podium" in Cat 4 races at least 3 or 4 times already!!
WAY TO GO BILL !