Rosewood Race Series 1 - Race 3

Every 3rd race of the Rosewood Series goes to Vista View Park. It is a dump that has 2 massive hills on it. The first hill is 112ft of climbing, and the second one is 105ft. The grade on the first one is so steep that if you sit normal on your saddle your front wheel will come off the ground. The second is a longer and gradual, and you can use the momentum from the first one. I was happy about this race for a couple of reasons. I have just bought a new, lighter, more functional road bike, I love climbing, I spent 6 month living in Raleigh NC last year, and I had not been drop at any group ride. I had no idea if I could win the race, but I knew I wouldn’t get dropped at least. I was also interested to see if any of the sprinters could climb.
The organizers had us ride up and over the first climb together to the backside where the start/finish was.

We rolled out and the attacks came hard and fast. I was not sure who the major players were in the type of race, so I sat in the middle of the pack. Well, it wouldn’t take long to find out none of the sprinter can climb.



In the first 8mins and 55 second went form over 50 riders to 12. It was a entire new batch of riders, with only one guy that finishes to 10 in the sprints. For the first intermediate sprint 2 guys were already off the front, and at the bottom of the hill I launch an attack to pass Ross of Bike America to get the 3rd place points. I got it! Damn that hurt.


After the riders caught us, came more attacks, and I thought I was in trouble. We eventually regrouped and as my heartrate came down, my confidence went up. I realized there was noone in the group that could really put the damage down. If so, the group would let them go off the front and them reel them back in. Now, I have found my playground. I stayed in the front 3 or 4 riders and monitored the action. When the second sprint came I went to the front, and I waited until the absolute moment then launched my sprint. I didn’t hear anyone coming up on my so I look around and had a gap. I won it, and I was now in the lead for the Green Sprinter’s Jersey.

So I went to the back of the group, let the 2 Bike America guys set the pace and waited for the final sprint. The Bike America guys were trying to blow the group up again, and all they were doing was reducing their sprint speed in the end. When they rang the bell for 3 laps to go, I didn’t even panic. I wasn’t even sure if I was going to try to win the sprint. I wanted to finish top 5 because the race gives out double point, and I would be leading the overall also.


I think I can win this race. If I do, how should I cross the finish line? I started thinking about all the things I could do to make it a memorable photo. I don’t know if I’m going to get another chance to win a race. I starting thinking about all the movies, and started formulating how I would cross the finish line to make it “ Gangsta”. “Pacer, What the hell are you thinking?” You are still in the race, and have 1 lap to go. I came to my senses and decided to stay in the middle and see if I can find a wheel to launch off of. Going up the next to last steep climb Ross made an semi-attack, and by the time he crested the climb were just behind him. It was enough time to let him stay in the lead, and just the dangling carrot I needed. As we came down the hill I went into the big ring, and when we hit the bottom I let the momentum take me up about 20% of the climb then I want for it.
I launch an attack that made my bike jump, and I went all out. I couldn’t hear anybody grunting, nor could I see any rider coming in my peripheral vision. When I got to the top I decided to point to my jersey. My shop Active Cycles has not had much success on the road, and I would be the first.



I pointed at my jersey with one hand in the air, and as I crossed the line I raised that fist in the air. Whew!! My first road race win, and it was the toughest race to date. All the pain goes away if you win the race, but I’m going to try to remember the pain from this race. I’m not leading the series by a large margin in the sprinters jersey and the overall. I think I just psst off all the major players in the series because they didn’t get any points. I better be ready in 2 weeks. Until then, I’m going to enjoy my first race win. I was so inspired after the race that I road for another 28 miles at an avg of 21.8mph.

Pacer Out!