Sterling Road Race

Last Saturday morning I met up with Mark Bernard and Darrin O. and we headed to the Sterling Road Race. We would be racing in the Cat 4/5 35+ group and had a leisurely 11:20 am start. That worked out great as I got dropped off at Mark's and we were able to get in a good 15 mile warm up to Sterling.

The course consisted of an 8 mile loop. Our group only had to do 3 laps, compared to 40 and 56 of the 4s and 3/4s. Though the finish was up a punchy hill, I had heard reports that it often ends in a sprint. And with only 3 laps there wasn't likely enough separation to occur. The hill didn't look to bad, it was comparable to a few in my 'hood. This gave me confidence as I always win the hilltop finish on my commute home from work.

The race had a neutral start for a few miles and then up the finish hill, down some windy side streets, back up a main road (I can remember the route #), and then a right hand turn followed by another right and up the hill to the finish.

Laps 1 & 2 were quite boring. I had serious thoughts that maybe road racing just wasn't for me. Even though Battenkill was tons of fun, this was probably more akin to what road races are like. At the 4/5 level of cycling there aren't a lot teams save NEBC & Minuteman, and there weren't any breaks. One guy got off the front for a little bit but didn't seem to be getting much of a gap. I sat in the whole time (why it was boring in retrospect) and tried to stay upright. It certainly was a bit nerve-wracking with 75 other beginner bike racers riding together with the yellow line rule. I figured this race was all about positioning for the final climb, and it gave me a shallow glimpse to what it must be like for the experienced racers working to either position there sprinter or themselves.

When the bell lap came around there were a few hard efforts after cresting the hill as the race pace picked up and guys got anxious to test themselves after cruising around the previous 2 laps. I was able to get up front, probably in 10th position. This was much more my taste, more room to maneuver in and less chance of crossing wheels. I didn't get a chance to look back and see if we had a real break. In the last 2-3 miles it felt like we slowed up a bit as others were able to join back on. In hindsight, I should have tried my luck at a flyer here, maybe someone would've gone with me, but the n00b in me told me not to chance it, so I sat in (like that wheelsucker Reilhan).

I saw a guy in a solid white jersey go as we rounded the corner into Sterling center, so I jumped out of the saddle and tried to go with the others. I think I was a bit too far back though as it looked insurmountable... so much for positioning. I guess my hesitance was caused by not wasting effort only to pull others along with me and get schooled in the sprint. So anyway we came into the corner leading up to the hill finish and I jumped out of the saddle again. I honestly thought I'd be able to stay out of the saddle and sprint to the top, but was sadly mistaken.I not only misjudged the length of the hill, but also grossly exaggerated my own climbing prowess. Here I was thinking I'd take another commute home hilltop victory or storm the Muur de Gramont a al Stijn Devolder and still snag a top 5 result.

Stijn Devolder executes the winning move up the Muur in the '09 Ronde
photo courtesy www.Sirotta.it

Alas, it was not to be. That self-image fantasy was completely shattered as the lactic build up my legs forced me to sit. I tried to grind it out but now others were coming around me. One more feeble attempt to get out of the saddle and go was immediately thwarted and covered by the lactic lockdown in my legs. Beyond humbled, I managed to get one place back and ultimately came in 11th. I could barely climb the rest of the hill to get out of the way of finishing riders.

Lactic Lockdown up the hill finish
photo courtesy Pete Banach

Sterling '09 was my 2nd road race (mucho differento than Battenkill) and I definitely learned some things about positioning, and pacing. That final climb was exponentially more difficult than I imagined because I had exerted too much energy too far out. I think I have a couple more road races in me this year. I may or may not be able to do Sunapee this weekend, but I am a definite go for the Rapha Gentleman's Race on Memorial Day weekend in New Paltz, NY. Cheers and Thanks for reading.