It's been a while so time to ketchup. A few weeks back some Ommegangsters snuck off and did the Strawberryfest Race down in the southern tier end of things. Some respectable results posted across the various race cats with AJ F pulling top podium step honors in the 35+ division.
Then not quite as far back as Strawberryfest, more Ommegangsters popped down a bit south of Syracuse for the AVRE Race for Sight. Eric K provided a race report shown here:
The race started at 10am and the temperature must have been in the 80s. I stood in the shade as long as possible before the start. There wasn’t much of a neutral start, we almost immediately hit 25mph. There were a couple of short breaks in the first 10 miles. None of them worked because the peloton was doing nearly 30mph with a huge tail wind. I basically sat in for the first of two 20 mile loops. I watched carefully at the KOM lines that we would pass again at miles 30 and 36. The first part of the second lap was a lot like the first with multiple break attempts in a tail wind. Both AJ and Karl helped bring back the break right around the 30 mile mark. I tried to get into a good position for the first KOM (about 5% grade for almost 0.5miles). I ended up getting to the base of the climb around 10th position and started my attack. The problem was Michael Grygus was already about 5 seconds in front of me. I caught up to his wheel thinking he is going to crack at any second and I would be the first to the KOM. As we neared the KOM it was clear Michael wasn’t going to give up easily. I pushed even harder thinking I could edge in front of him. He finally noticed me on his wheel and gave one final effort to beat me to the line.
After the first KOM I looked back and noticed most of the field was together about 20 seconds behind. I sat up and let them catch me because most of the course was downhill and I wasn’t going to be able to stay in front of them. Again another break formed, AJ and Karl once more went to the front and helped bring them back. I spent most of the time trying to get back in position for the next KOM. There was a lot of jockeying to get up front. I ended up getting bumped into at least three times. Nothing I would worry about in a CAT 3 race but in a citizen’s race you never know if the other rider is used to getting bumped into. As we neared the second KOM I was following AJ at the front on the yellow line as I noticed some strong guys moving up on the right shoulder. AJ moved towards the middle of the road giving me a clear line and I knew I had to jump before anyone else this time. I went all out for a good 20 seconds. I was sure I dropped everyone by attacking early. Right before I was about to crack I peaked underneath my bike and saw a single shadow drafting me. It ended up being Jeremy W, and he passed me right before the line. He must of been on my wheel when I started my attack. Again I had taken second on the KOM.
The next three miles went by pretty fast without too much to comment on. In the final mile there was a very slight uphill which bunched the riders together. Right in front of me I heard some screaming and the next thing I knew there were two guys crashing. I moved to avoid them as much as possible. I somehow got by but I was now sitting around 20th before the final climb. I was able to pass about 5 people before the base of the climb. The finishing climb reminds a lot of the Binghamton crit finish, but longer. The entire finishing climb was open for the riders to use so I immediately jumped far left. I got all the way up to fourth position but the climb went a little further than I thought. I ended up getting passed by another rider right before the finish and ended up fifth overall.
We averaged about 24mph for 40 miles. All of the corners were well managed. It was a well run and fun race!
Other matters: For our third year now, Team Ommegang-Syracuse Bicycle is headed to the brewery for an informal group ride around Otsego Lake July 30 (the morning of the BCTC event). We'll hopefully have some brewery staff joining us as well as some local riders as in the past.
The Syracuse Bicycle Point-to-Pint Ride to Brewery Ommegang is coming together. It is up on BikeReg.
We also have some cool things brewing for the CX @ Brewery Ommegang event (Oct 2) as well. The brewery has stepped up even bigger for 2011 so stay tuned.
Stay Cool.
