Kissena Cycling Club

There were something like a dozen or more Kissenas in a field that was close to 100 riders.

I had a good warm-up and was ready to go from the whistle.

Dan McMahon takes the KOM sprint. Photo by Victor Chan

I could tell right away that I felt pretty good, but I didn't feel the zippy freshness and lightness in my legs that I was hoping for (it's so hard to make that happen when you want it, and it seems I can get this feeling only on certain training days, but my coach is helping me work on it to make it more predictable, if possible). Anyway, I stayed near the front as planned, esp. b/c it was such a huge field today.

Very soon into the race Sean Smith (Champion System), who I spied started way in the back before the start, quickly made his way to the front. Don't recall which lap it was but the lap before the KOM lap he drilled it up the hill in an attack and I tried to follow. He took me a little unawares, so I had to really dig to catch him, which I almost did. I dragged an NY Velocity rider with me, but our little trio was back in the pack soon enough after the hill.

At some other point in the race -- a little fuzzy on when -- Smith was off solo for a good while, but never got really far. Several Kissena riders were active too: namely, Michael Perlberg, who jumped off the front at least twice for a good-looking effort. The race overall felt pretty fast but not too fast. On the first KOM I was attentive and riding with some Kissenas, including Patrick. Smith was ahead of us a bit up the hill, go figure, and I was happy to beat a couple of guys for second at the top.

Fast-forward to the second KOM, and it was really great teamwork: Yacks showed up to say hi, and so too Al. Al got us organized nicely into a three-rider Kissena train across the start/finish, with Yacks doing a nice long interval on the front. Then at the start of the hill or so a stray rider or to start to make some noise on the sides and I told Al to go faster, which he did without trying, it seemed. He brought me almost all the way up to the top, just before which I stood up and gave it some gas. Funny thing was, Al could have taken it no problem, so thanks, Al. Nice you could get me the points as you upgrade to the 3s.

Chris Yack setting a Kissena train up. Photo by Andy Shen

For the rest of the race, I sat in about top 10 and recovered and set up for the sprint, thinking I still had something left. I rode top 5 out of the last turn and was taking different wheels in an effort to stay top 5. This worked fine, and before I knew it we were pretty near max velocity and guys started sprinting. I was near the front or at the front now and just wanted to avoid any BS and to try to place top 10. I actually ended up in the wind leading it out, but I didn't care and just wanted to cruise us in ASAP, so I gave it a long interval. Al duked it out for third, and I maintained for 8th.

I have to say, it's true you don't have to really sprint at all in this situation, at least in the Cat. 4s. In two PP races this year and one CP race I just maintained top 5 leading into field sprint, then it was just a matter of giving it a last effort. That's helped me snag three top 10s easily.

Anyway, Al was feeling sick all week and today but managed to slot me in to the lead in the KOM and take 3rd in the sprint. Really great, Al! Yacks, Patrick, Rene and others were effective in getting me set up too. I realize it's not going to be easy keeping the KOM jersey but I will do my best to do so. So far so good. I spoke with Smith and he said he is not going for KOM points, so that's good. If others have any need for help in races, pls let me know too. When I'm not busting a lung on that incline I'll be happy to bury myself some more. I'm actually better on the flats anyway. PS If you didn't make it for bagels, I'll buy a beer for you. Yacks and Al for sure!

DM