Thursday Night Crit - Week #4

[Andrew]

Another strong night for BPR...led by the woman, who continue to dominate the B Group. I will let Tanille and Monica share their stories, but have to credit for the solo break away to win the day!!!

The race in A group split early, with some of the best quality riders form the Okanagan making their first appearances of the season. With Trevor and Corey adding fire power to the usual suspects, I was really happy to see the Quail, Wattster and Warren make good efforts to be in the lead group. Wattster came back to us later by choice, and spent the rest of the evening looking REALLY relaxed, while Simon and I suffered along not really contributing, but not really able to relax much either. David Nelson looked strong all night also.

After sitting in for most of the 45 minutes, I did make a strong effort with 3 laps to go, and Louic joined me for a two lap hammerfest, which eventually was brought back towards the end of the final lap. Wattster sprinted well to win the chase group sprint, and I was happy to be able to recover enough after the hard 2 laps to still outkick a few that were in the sprint.

I certainly don't have the strength to ride with the leaders when they really push the pace, but was happy with the performance given an afternoon run in the park with Ginny, and the recent issues with my cankle which is slowly resolving.

Breathing was much better controlled tonight, and cadence felt better as well. But the challenge will be to stay with the leaders in the future, and commit to the suffering that is surely to come along with that ride.

I look forward to hearing the impressions form the rest of the group.

[StephenU]

It was tough one, for sure.  The lead group was a sufferfest for everyone in it. I looked around and everyone was riding hard and no real passengers for first few laps of the selection. It has to be that way if you want to stay away.
I had one go at leaving the group with a 2 or 3 lap (can't remember) effort with Cory F but I was in the cave soon and had to stop. We got caught by motivated chasers and I was nearly popped off the back of shortly after that!!  I had to go deeep into the cave to hang on. It took me a few laps in the red to finally recover.  The group decided to let Jesse ride away with 3 laps to go. With 2 laps, there was a lame efffort to try and catch him but it was too late. Warren, who was also with me, suggested he could sprint so I hit it on corner 2 with him on my wheel and I blew myself and I think warren up as well.  Too hard, too soon!  Oh well, I will get it right eventually but I was happy to see that I had that kind of power that late in the race.

Next time!

[GinnySellars]

I am always super impressed with how deep you guys dig. I'm not sure how to cultivate that ability to red line/enter the cave, but you are certainly an inspiration. Good luck this weekend at Nimby.

[JasonK]

Yes, that was definitely an interesting night!  It was great to see Stephen and Cory attack the group for a few laps.  I tried to counter when they were caught but there was no way I had the power to stay away from that group.  There were 3 Ride Okanagan riders in the group and we really should have worked harder to chase Jesse down but I think we were all close to our limits and starting to fade a little.  Stephen did a viscous lead out on the back side, the only thing missing was about 3 more team mates between him and Warren to finish it off!!!  I'm starting to think Jesse is from another planet.

[W Ellis]

My first crit race in 2 years it seems but just as I remember right off the start I was daydreaming looked up and a group was way off the front and I notice that the 2 leading the case group wore rocking there head and shoulders like they were putting a baby to sleep !!! So I jumped for about 45 sec to get to the lead group it took a lot of power to close the gap that fast but I thought my race will start now or end now. The next 45 min was good and seemed normal till the last lap going up the hill was not that bad with the tail wind and with 6 guy chasing going around the top corner we hit the crosswind knowing I was in trouble I slowed down trying to get on the protected side going into the last corner into the headwind I was done ...... Going back in time with steve and I , we should have waited to the crosswind section ,been on the right side of the road then jumped right after the gravel section and hope for enough steam for the end ... That's racing I'm sure next week will be awsome!! Good luck at nimby boys,