We met at Steady Eddy's in Winters at 7:45AM (I had to wake up at 5:45[ish] AM on a Sunday. Wtf, mate?) and had some caffeine. After 3 hours of sleep (eff you, allergies) the night before, I needed it. At 8:15AM, we all started to get together in the parking lot and rolled out.
The whole team stayed together on the first lap. Matt L (designated team capitan for this ride) gave us tips, techniques, proper etiquette, what to do, what not to do, when the pace was going to pick up, etc. There were 11 of us, I think. The first 10 miles had rollers, flats, more rollers, and annoying wind. When we got to the climb, that dreaded climb that sounded as if it were worse than Iowa Hill came up, I didn't realize I was on it. So much for this horrible hill in the race. It wasn't bad at all, it was mostly all in my head because OMG HILL (you'd think that I'd be okay with hills after the Death Ride).
The descent can be a little sketchy if you suck at handling your bike. There's one shady spot that got me at first (no depth perception for those of you who don't know, hurr hurr. Shadows confuse me. I know how my horse feels...), but I followed Randy's line because he doesn't suck at handling his bike, so it was all nice and dandy. We met up with Pam, Steve, and Don G. The rest of the team were waiting for Barbara. The five of us at the bottom decided to head to the rest of the course, where Don, Pam, and I didn't take a turn and went up some little hill but didn't see Steve nor Randy behind us, and that's when Don's lightbulb saved us all. We turned around and went the correct way (Randy and Steve asked a Davis guy if we had to turn or go straight... we had to turn). We rode. It's pretty flat. William came zooming by the other direction. Waved. We got to the end of the first lap and we waited for the rest of the team.
When some of the members came, Matt told us that the reason that Barbara took so long was because her cleat broke, but a mountain biker had a shop in his CamelBak (typical, pfft) so he helped her out. We all came back together and started planning the mock race.
Rnady, Pam, and I were in a "team." Mike and Steve were in another one. The five of us were to be in the breakaway. There was the main group and Matt and Rob were in the chase. Off we went into the breakaway. We kept a good speed. When the rollers started, the pace slowed down, I saw a gap between Mike and Steve and went through it. Randy followed. The two of us broke away from the break away. I've never been in a break away so most of the time I was "wtf do I do? Kay... go faster.." Randy and I kept taking turns pulling. Around mile 8, we saw the group about a minute or so behind us. Yeah.. they were catching up quickly. The group caught us around the middle of the climb, which hell, for a two-(wo)man break away, it wasn't bad! That and I suck when there's any sort of wind, so I was sort of happy. My heart rate was at its threshold and holding on for dear life, but it's all good.
Randy and I kept working as a team once the group swallowed and left us. The way down the hill (which I led the second time) was a lot easier. No wrong turns. I messed up once with Randy's signal to pass him so I can pull. Durr. I didn't see his elbow signaling me. Oops. I pulled after I went "??? WAT!?" and he corrected my dumb ass. I pulled for a bit, died a little inside and then Randy led the rest of the way in. We saw Don E spinning in and Randy asked, "wasn't he in the group?" I figured he flatted again (turns out that was the case). We got to the finish line and after realizing that I didn't die, spun back into town. Randy gave me some tips on what to do during the race. We decided that we may go back to work on some strategy. Mainly, eff the breakaway until the very last lap by the lake.
We got our crap back into the car and we headed to Guadalajara in Davis. I had a torta (holy hell haven't had one of those in YEARS. Made me miss Mexico!) and we chatted. Apparently Matt thought that the group was going to catch the breakaway way before they did. Yay! We then told stories, laughed, poked fun, the usual crap that goes on with the non-stuck up cyclists (c'mon... we all know who those are). Probably because we had a lot of cyclocross and mtb'ers in the group... and ones that JUST started road racing (me), so our head hasn't gotten too big for our helmets (good thing they're adjustable... ahem).
All joking and sarcasm aside, the things I learned were priceless:
- Breaking away hurts.
- A two-man break away will get swallowed up.
- I now know what it feels like to be swallowed up by the main group.
- Working in a team is essential!
- Without communication, you're nothing out there.
- Hills are never as bad as people make them out to be.
- I can keep up a decent pace without an iPod.
- My bike sucks because it's heavy and has heavy wheels, but it's fantastic when I get those things rolling on the flats!
- The wind will suck, but it won't kill me.
- I can, in fact, survive a "race pace," even though I felt like I have died a little... or a lot.
This was a great experience. Thanks to Matt for organizing this. I know that it can sometimes be like herding cats (at least with me.. woo attention span!). The race will also be a good experience. I don't expect a lot from it except to get some good experience for future races. I'm looking very forward to it!
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