Kissena Cycling Club

Here is a brief report. We had about 6-7 Kissena guys in the race. Everyone seemed pretty strong which is a great sign for Battenkill.

Me, Al, Dan, Josh, and others were trying to get into some sort of break at different times between laps 2-7. The field didn’t want to let anything get away, despite what I thought were pretty hard attacks and a few sustained moves. Luzzo’s tried to set up a few moves and so did Organic. a few BVF guys were jumping into every break, so when nothing would stick I was pretty surprised. I was also a little bummed because I thought I had pretty much blown my shot at a good result through the efforts I was making. With 4 to go I went straight to the back to rest up; I was hurting. Luckily with 3 to go the pace settled down a bit and it seemed like everyone was resigned to the field sprint.

On the downhill before the last lap Al followed Lesdek from Organic (I think) and Josh and I were right there behind. Lesdek is the series leader and was very active on the front all day. Josh and I sat back in about 5th or 6th. The field really slowed and Josh attacked around the pot-hole area. He got a little gap but the pack picked it up and caught him. I was kinda just coasting there along the side of the field who had slowed down a ton. I kinda just rolled off the front hoping to get a few guys to come with me. Nobody came, but I had some daylight between us. I figured if I got a little gap I could force Organic and Luzzo’s to chase and tire out their strong men a little bit. Since they had been working all day trying to set up moves I figured this might be enough to give Al or Dan a shot at the sprint. Either way, I figured with our numbers we had to do something.

Basically, I kept pushing it past the start line and kept getting more room. I didn’t push it too hard because I didn’t want to cause a big reaction. Either way, at the hill, I was already gassed. I couldn’t stand up and ride up the hill so I threw it in a big gear and just kind of tried to push a big gear seated and get myself over. I think the field started pulling me back a bit but I kept saying hold them off a little longer. At the top of the hill I tried to accelerate and take a look back.… I thought I was done. I said to myself, just keep pushing it and wear them out. At the downhill I was getting really dizzy and fatigued and sweat was dripping into and burning my ideas (how dramatic does that sound!!) and kept picturing the field swarming past me while going downhill. I was almost riding afraid.

I kept pushing and by about half way down I peaked back and realized I had a chance. From what I hear a Luzzo’s guy was chasing with our guys sitting right on his wheel refusing to pull. Without help up front, Luzzo’s was having a hard time closing the gap.

I kept pushing and pushing, telling myself how pissed I’d be if I got caught before the line and only gave it 95%. I alternated between standing and sprinting and grinding big gears and doing whatever I could to make my bike move. My old frame was groaning and flexing and refusing to shift from time to time but I kept pushing. I never really believed I had won it because I was moving so slowly by the end and I was really on the edge.

I wish I could have sat up for the victory over the line but I was so exhausted I just had to cruise across. I was super pumped to win but I was just exhausted. The win hit me when one of the Kissena guys let out a big scream as the whole field came cruising past just after the finish. For whoever did that, thanks! This is the first time I’ve ever won any sort of decent size race so it was a pretty cool feeling, especially doing it the way I did it today. Stressful and hard, but great.

I can’t say enough how much I appreciate riding with the 4s. What a great group of guys. I feel so confident lining up knowing there are 5 or 6 of us who have a shot at the money any way the race pans out. Everyone is strong and willing to work for one another. I owe you all some beer. I’ll bury myself for whoever is ready for the win at Battenkill if I’m lucky enough to be in the lead pack at the end.

Best,
Michael