A wonderful day in Waterford Michigan. Was cold at sunrise, but by the time the B race started, it was a nice 50ish degrees. For those who have not raced Waterford Hills, it is a motor sports race course of 1.5 miles with a couple of short hills and several interesting turns. The most challenging part are the cracks in the cement that can suck in your front tire and put you on the deck quickly if you panic…(so don’t panic!).
I am not a great road racer, but it makes me stronger, so I continue to get punished. I am trying to shake off the Lantern Rouge honor that was bestowed on me in 2011.
There were about 60 racers for the B race and, as with any road race, it is a race of attrition (physically and emotionally). I usually get completely freaked out by the knuckle heads who crash, but today, they all crashed behind me, so, although I heard several bikes hit the cement, I did not see them…made it easier on me.
Our race was 50 minutes plus 2 laps and featured some of the stronger riders from this area (Ann Arbor Velo Club, Flying Rhinos (race sponsors) and Team O2 were well represented.) I know some of these guys and was happy to be on the wheel of some guys I trusted and trained with.
I was very conservative for the first 40 minutes and tried to preserve as much energy as I could. When they posted 10 minutes left, I worked my way up to the first 10 racers. I could tell, they were willing to put me on the front, but I was not interested in falling for that fatal opportunity. As usual, it is significantly easier to be at the front of one of these races…I always forget that it is much smoother at the front.
With 2 laps to go, the front sat up and waited for someone to take the lead, but the group bunched up and no one bit. On the last lap, there was a nice steady push to the finish line and in the last 300 meters, a full on group sprint ensued. I was passed in the last 50 meters by a few guys but was happy to have finished in the top 3rd of this race. All is good…happy Easter and Passover. Jack Miner.