Oakville Race Team, Report #3

This report takes in the last two weekends of racing. We're now into
May and the weather is sticking to its unpredictable self. So, we're
racing in dribs and drabs until we get a bit more cooperation from
Mother Nature.

Last weekend's weather was brutal both days. While a few of us didn't
mind getting ourselves a bit wet for the hour or so of fun at the
local OCC race on Saturday, only Dave was willing to take in the drive
and face 100k in that weather the next day… But hey, when you're
sitting on good form - you gotta go!

"Just a quick update from the King City race this weekend:

Woke up Sunday am and it was cold and snowing but I said what the heck and
loaded the gear into the truck and headed to the race half expecting it to
be cancelled. Much to my surprise the race went off on time and was not
altered/ shortened in any way. In my Sen III catagory there were approx 30
riders, and it was 8 x 12.5 km laps for 100km. It rained (an even snowed
once) throughout the entire race which quite honestly was a bit of a
suffer-fest. On the 3rd lap my bike started acting up and at 1 point I had
to get off the bike to pull off and re-adjust the back wheel because it was
getting so bad, then of course spent the next 4 km chasing the pack. And
after 50km my hands were so cold and wet that I actually considered pulling
out. The race went well and we all fought hard in the last 5 km to get
into good position for the finish, which blew apart what was remaining of
the group. At 300m from the line I was 3rd but when I started to sprint the
legs were done and I was passed by a bunch at the line and finished 9th.

I have to say that much to the contrary of the Sen III reputation, it was a
really good group of guys to ride with, no sketchy riders and all were
pretty courteous and allowed room for dropping back into the pack. Aside
from the weather it was a very enjoyable day."

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So, onto this past weekend.

Sunday was the Springbank park road races in London which have been a
staple on the spring calendar for years. I had to miss my start due
to a minor family crisis that popped up that morning, but Ian made the
trip...

"An uneventful but hard race at Springbank. I can't believe the av. speed was
under 40. Must've been the strong headwind on the bottom straight. I do
believe those master As are getting stronger and faster (perhaps helped by a
handful of fast Bs joining in). I finished with the pack but well back in
32nd. Acceptable for the first race of the season for me I guess. The last
two laps were ripped into and I couldn't get into anywhere near a good
position coming up the home straight. One thing I need to always do is take
that first corner after the start line on the inside. I can hit the apex of
that turn at full belt and just push the front tyre into the ground and not
even need the right side of the road on exit. Every time I was on the right
of someone they'd be swinging out towards me way more than was called for.
I'd love to know what the lateral g force is going through that corner hard.
Fun, fun, fun!"
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Also that same day was the first MTB o-cup of the season. Jeff, who
just two weeks ago while riding together, mentioned how he was a bit
behind in training this year (been there Jeff). Well, he shrugged off
any cobwebs and placed himself in his usual excellent position…

"Raced in the first Ontario Cup of the year yesterday at Mansfield.
It rained before and it rained after, but luckily the weather held out
for the duration of my race. And fortunately with Mansfield's sandy
soils, there was absolutely no mud on the course. I felt strong the
whole race and didn't bonk half way through like I seemed to do last
year. I ended up finishing 7th out of 37 in Senior Expert. It was a
fun race with lots of fast twisty singletrack, gnarly climbs, fast
descents, and of course, some wet, slick off-camber roots.
Looking forward to OCup#2 at Albion Hills in 2 weeks. -Jeff"
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Thanks for your support!
Until next time.
Chris.