Bike racing

Raced yesterday in Cumming at the Georgia Cup. First of all, thanks to the Security Bank team for keeping me in the race...someone was an idiot and forgot there shoes. Thanks to Robert for having an extra set of pedals and shoes, and to Ron for the quick mechanic work to get me to my tt start.

The time trial course was ridiculously hilly including some small-chainring climbing. I managed my first good time trial of the year and grabbed sixth place. As a testament to how stupid-hard Georgia Cup has gotten, all five riders ahead of me are on UCI Pro teams. Jittery Joes, Toshiba, Jelly Belly and DLP were represented this weekend. We were also packed in pretty tight, I was only 12 seconds off the winners pace on a 7 mile course. Normally I'd be a little frustrated knowing I needed only a few seconds to move up the leaderboard but mostly I'm just thrilled and relieved to get the tt monkey off my back.

The road race started at noon with the sore legs and too-full stomachs that come with racing a time trial only 3 hours previous. It didn't last long as on the first of four laps my group was directed off course. We were chasing a break of 7 or so about 15 seconds up the road when we made a wrong turn. The breakaway went the correct direction as did a group of riders who had been dropped so we became the last group on the road, several minutes down. Most of the field dropped out in frustration and the rest of us just road around like it was a group ride, getting in miles. To add to the drama, the entire breakaway was dq'ed for disobeying instructions to neutralize. So I guess the official winner came from the group of riders behind us who went the right way? Interesting day at the races for sure.