Diggin Deep

Today was the Memorial Hall Crit in Philly. I signed up to race the Cat 3/4 race. The weather was perfect, a little breezy but nice and warm. The course was short only around .6-.7 miles long and it was flat as a pancake. My field was very large with 72 riders finishing the race. Due to the large field and the nature of the course I anticipated a very fast race. I would not be wronged, the race started off fast and never really let off. It wasn't a terribly long race with only 42 laps, but they would all be pretty fast. The finishing straight was a tailwind section that was very fast every lap. The backstretch was a pretty sturdy headwind. Around 10 laps into the race I countered a move on the back stretch and found myself alone off the front. I would spend two laps off the front. No one would bridge by themselves and I was shut down. I took another flyer with around 11-12 laps to go, only to have a similar result. This was a little discouraging because I knew I wouldn't be worth anything in a field sprint with a tailwind. A few laps pass and more attacks get no where. We get 5 to go and on the back stretch Woody from Philly Ciclismo takes a flyer and gets clear. He was off the front solo and was looking strong. At one point his lead was all the way out to 23 seconds. I really thought that he could get the win. However we hit 2 laps to go and we're catching up fast. The catch was made on the back stretch. I knew this was my one shot. I attacked hard from the right side of the road over to the left and started to drive it. I managed to get a decent gap. I rail the third corner and the fourth and make my way onto the finishing straight with the tailwind. I stay as aero as possible and just try and stay comfortable and save a little for the backstretch in the wind. As I'm flying down the stretch the words of a wise MAMBO kings rider float into my ears, "Don't Look Back! You have gap! Give it EVERYTHING!" These words stayed with me through the finish line where I got the bell signifying one more lap. I dove into the first corner trying to keep as much speed as possible and the same for the second corner. I knew the field was close, I stood up and jumped hard out of turn two. This is where pain and suffering took over my body. My brain was off with the simple words "GIVE IT EVERYTHING" floating around inside my head. I finally make it to turn three and dive into it and power over to turn four. I hit the last tailwind stretch. I sprint out of the corner and really dig deep. I'm sitting down trying to get every last bit of power out of my legs. People are yelling and screaming for me, and for those that are just behind me. I can't see the line yet, I know it is coming but it seems like it was still miles away. I can now hear the carbon wheels echoing on the pavement just behind me, I see the wheels enter my peripherals...and then I see the most glorious sight. A line of black tape across the ground. I throw for the line and see that I am the first person across, but barely. I won be about 6 inches or so. I throw my arms up. It was an incredible victory. Junior gears and everything. It is funny, and while this surely does not justify the rule, it has forced me to learn a new style of racing. I would like to thank everyone out there who was cheering for me, especially my parents whose support allows me to do what I do. What a day. That race brings me up to a 50% win ratio for road races this year. I feel great and I am really enjoying it all.

Peace and Love,
Patrick