EKO

Well, I've been lurking around here for a while. Some good stuff (some not so good ). My cycling background went from commuting -> centuries -> racing. I've been racing since the middle of last summer. I did lots of training races with the local team and then did a crit that the team put on toward the end of summer. I ended up winning that one and had a blast, so I joined the team. Saturday was the first race of a busy season, so I figured I'd come out of the shadows. I got there with plenty of time to register/warm up and watched the 3/4 field. When it was time for the 5 field to line up, I only got one quick lap around the course and was thinking more of getting back to the start before the race started (everyone was lined up when I took off for my lap) than paying attention to the racing line or other important things.

So I get back to the start/finish just before the start. The field was ~20-30. I was the only one on my team. We get off to a decent pace, but slower than I was expecting. I just sat in for 3/4 of the first lap, but then I got impatient and decided to move up on the outside of turn 4. Then I ran out of road. I was leaning into the turn when I went off and dropped a few inches into the mud. From there my recollection is a little subjective. I low-sided and hit on my hip/shoulder. Toward the end I remember sliding on my head and thinking, "Damn, this must be trashing my helmet." Fortunately, I didn't take anyone else out. I get up and let the crowd know I wasn't too banged up (they were asking). A guy from the promoting team came over and helped me up. He helped me figure out which was was up and held the bike while I straightened out the bars. Since it was on the first lap, I could use a free lap. So I get back on and roll up to the start/finish.

I get back on as the peleton comes around again. The next lap was the prime lap, and I just sit in. My quick release on my rear brake was open, so I only had the front brake which made it a little touchy. We go around a few more times. Now it's the bell lap. I figure after all this, I need to make something happen. I see a hole and attack. By the time I tuck back down and look back, I've got maybe 75-100 yards of separation. I start questioning my decision at this point. Either I'm going to hold it off or finish DFL. By the time I get past my lucky turn and am coming up to the start/finish, I still have ~50 yards on the field. I try to sprint to the finish, but my legs weren't having it so I just stay in the saddle and hammer it to the line. Since this was a points race and I didn't contest the sprint lap, I placed second even though I finished first. Meh, I had fun.

Here's a pic I found of my rear wheel about 0.015s before touchdown. No one managed to get the actual wipeout on camera.


And here's one I found of the finish. Air scoop is fully deployed. Notice how my left side is a little askew.
https://www.photoshelter.com/c/kimmor...000t1DnyGsS9YA

bassic wilson

Sounds like a nice rally!