Okay, today was much better than two weeks ago; much. I think it just took my body one race to get into the swing of things and remember how to go fast.

This time the start was leisurely. There were three Excel riders in the race (Matt H, Bob W and Paul W) and I had Corrie M for support.

As we rolled down the back straight into the wind a couple of accelerations went up the road and of course I had to go with all of them. Once or twice I got away with one Excel rider but the pack chased like it was life or death. :( What is the deal with these people...? It's almost like being in a cat 4 race again. Everyone kills themselves to get on a wheel but no one will contribute to any effort.

Finally I got away with Bob. Then Paul and a few others got across and then Matt made it as well. All told there were about nine of us in the break; not bad. But then it happened again. I would pull, bob would pull, Paul would pull and no one else would do anything. At one point Matt even tried to tail the majority of the group off the back but they chased back on...

On one of the risers the guy in front of me pulled off right at the base and so I figured I'd make them work just a tad and pushed the pace up and over the roller. At the top I looked back and the only person on my wheel was Bob. Here we go.

We rolled along for a bit and then just as we made the sharp right hand turn onto the 'home' stretch I saw Matt trying to bridge. At the same time Bob said something like, "This just doesn't feel right..." and I had to open my big mouth and tell him that he would feel a whole lot better in a few minutes when Matt got here. I should have just shut the hell up. Instead Bob started to soft pedal. I put in a couple of good pulls just to make sure Matt did not have an easy time getting across but then he was there. After sitting on for a couple of rotations it was the three of us for the remaining 4.5 laps.

We worked really well together and I felt super today so no worries. But with about 2.5 laps to go Matt puts in an attack! I'm like, "WTF...?" It seemed really early. Luckily I was able to respond really easily so that made me feel good. Even when Bob countered and when Matt went again I had no problem. Finally I turned to Bob and asked him why they were not waiting until the last lap. He spoke with Matt and I guess both of them had seen two laps to go when it was really three. I had not been watching the lap board and instead was just counting our laps so did not get surprised.

After we rolled past the finish line and Matt and Bob both saw two to go for the second time, Matt called the lead car back and the driver confirmed it. "Well, that changes things..." said Matt. yeah, I guess it does. :) Cooperation resumed.

With one lap to go I got worried. My legs were not as good as they were 15 miles ago and not wanted to do the solo ride for third place again I turned to Bob and Matt and told them I was happy with 3rd place and would work if we kept it together. So we did. And my legs did die so good thing. I probably hid it well but those last few km were tough. When Bob 'sprinted' for the finish to lead Matt out I had to just sit up and roll across - I was done.

It appears I have about 45-50 fast miles in my legs and then I shut down. :( At least I appear to be making al the moves and getting in all the breaks; that's a start.

I tried something new today... I was worried that being i nthe break and riding hard wold prevent me from eating solid food (plus I'm bad about doing that anyway during a race) so I just two bottles of food instead. And it worked out really well. I love liquid food!