Very happy to get myself to the start line today. Lack of sleep and many other responsibilities had not hold on my. Since my newbord enjoys waking up every 1.5 hours sleep has been, well, not so easy. Regardless I make it to Sylmar. While still being prepped I rode the course a few times. Figured out the techinical spots and where I would be losing/gaining time. Not quite enoguh technical for my advantage but it will be fun regardless. The "x" factor in todays race were the Santa Ana winds that were howling down the canyons with about 10% humidity. Needless to say it was one of those SoCal days where it is nearly impossible to have sweat on your brow because of the dryness in the air. Let me also point out that it makes your mouth VERY DRY, VERY QUICKLY! Having a feed on days like this are imperative.
A big field lines up for 35+ 3/4. Lots of newcomers to cross this season. Lots of sandbaggers as well. They call up the series leaders, of which I am not one, but I manage still to get a place on the front line...about 10 across. I am on the far right, not the best position for that first left hand turn. At the gun I step on the pedal and bust right to front and cut all the way left taking ownership of the line I want. I let one guy in front and promptly grab his front wheel. 3 of us have a small gap off the front but we are not stretching it out enough so I decide that I am going to put it down on the first set of double barriers. They are the high speed kind and I am sure I can get through them quicker then anyone else. Sure enough I come through in first and lay down my attack. 2 guys stick with me but the rest of the field is blown out the back. I am much faster in the technical sections then these guys but as soon as it comes to the fitness I can see myself getting in trouble. Sadly, with little techincal I see a small chance of sticking with them. We hang for 1.5 laps of the 5 very long laps but I know I am redline'ing it so I back it off a bit...ride my race. Eventually 3 guys would bridge up and pass me leaving me with 7th place in my first race of the season. I am happy with my performance. Of course a podium would have been much nicer but this is my first race of the season, better results are on the horizon. Did I mention dry? gallons of mositurizer, lip balm, and water and body is still paying the price.
I hope the series promoters stay true to their word and bump people up who are not racing in the correct categories. For some reason there are always cat 2 & 3 who want to race lower races. Heck, the guy who won last week was a cat 1 on the road!
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