La Tortue

The first race of round three does not disappoint. The Chain Chomper lives up to its name. Cruzbike Racing is off to a pretty good start despite the trials and tribulations we encounter to get racers to the race track. Each week we recruit from every conceivable cranny for riders. After all our efforts, it appears the core recumbent community simply isn't interested in jumping into the fray. I can't blame them. It takes a certain type of insanity to call this fun. If you don't want a real workout, this is not the group to join.

Someone comes every week. But, we don't have enough to fill the roster, just enough to stay in the fight. The Gremlins always show up on race day. They come in swarms. The dreaded message, "I can't make it, sick with flu, stuck in traffic, the hurricane turned out the lights" -- we get them all. The big clubs have the same issues but have a stable of 1000 riders and simply reload. Cruzbike has to just bear the load.

We fare better than normal with last-minute drops. Team Low Drag 2 takes the brunt of the roster losses. They are used to shore up Low Drag's roster bringing the Low Drag 2 team below the minimum. Even with a team DQ, Low Drag 2 Rookie David Fitz hits the trail hard, setting 2 personal all-time best records. The strategy works as Low Drag now have a full roster. But Low Drag racer Jeff P is jumped by a pack of Gremlins. These ruffians turn off his Bluetooth and don't let him go until seven and a half minutes after the start. Jeff fights hard and catches up with the tail end of the pack. After setting two personal performance records, he salvages 6 important points for the team. Ken H. leads the Low Drag charge and finishes an impressive 17th overall in the race. Low Drag is 9th overall and in position to climb up the ladder in next week's Team Time Trial race.

Meanwhile, the Mighty Vendettas start the race one man short. The C Division has little mercy for unfilled rosters. The Vendettas don't care. They are holding their own when the Gremlins spot Derek M. riding at record pace near the finish line. It has to be 20 Gremlins or so. Derek sees the little buggers and stomps on the pedals. But, remember this is the Chain Chomper course. The chain breaks. It's over. The Gremlins win again. No, wait! Derek is off his bike dragging his oily chain over the pristine carpet to the garage. He fixes his bike and finishes the race showing the resilience of the Cruzbike racers. He thwarts the Gremlins' overall goal, but maybe not. Derek's wife has yet to see the carpet! Hawkman is the first Vendetta across the line with a fine 16th overall finish. The Vendettas finish 10th overall in the team standings.

Here we go! Time to get ready for next week -- bigger, smarter, & stronger, this will be the week for sure!
Dont miss the Move of the day video, its under a minute.