Melting Mann Race Report

Race Report – Melting Mann:

 

The first race of the seasons is always a mixed bag. You are excited to be back racing, but at the same time know the first is often the most painful race of the year. Cycling, like any other endurance sport, takes a fair amount of acclimation. Cold early season races can make your lungs and muscles scream!

Lining up at the start for Melting Mann, I felt a little shaken. I had been thrown off schedule by factors outside of my control, and I frazzle pretty easily. My warm up had been cut short, and I was left with a feeling of not being ready. As an added facet of pre-race discomfort, I was also struggling against my breakfast which would not sit still! Thankfully, once the race started there was no time to remember my anxiousness or stomach; all I could do was pedal.   

There was an unspoken agreement for the first two miles of the race. The fast riders would put in some digs at the front, and hopefully shed the slow guys as quickly as possible. This plan didn’t work at all.

The course conditions were much better than normal, and as such, a large group of riders was having no trouble keeping pace. It was an easy day to hide in the wind shadows of the riders at the front. This was the story of the race, at least, until we hit Mann road.

Mann road is an almost inconceivable combination of steep gradient and lose gravel. This was where the group exploded. I hit the turn onto Mann third wheel back from the front, I should have been more careful. I didn’t realize just how loose the road surface was, and my tight inside line was terminated by the “road” that is a sandpit pointed towards the sky. I made about a half dozen pedal strokes, then decided to abort. Jumping off my bike and throwing it over my shoulder I began to run as fast as I could. The surprising part about running up a steep incline is that your can often go faster than your pedaling counterparts, but not today.

I had been dropped off the leading two riders, and they had quickly escaped 50 meters up the hill. I wasn’t ready to give up, and during a short respite from the hills steep incline, was able to jump back on my bike. With my heart rate now completely pegged, I was digging deep to make gains back onto the leaders. It wasn’t working, curse those tiny little climbers!

Faltering in the despair of total exertion, I was rescued by the encouraging words of my teammate Joe T. Sometimes all you need is someone to suffer with; Joe dragged my miserable butt up that hill and back into the leaders group. This was when the tides began shifting in my favor.

Before we had popped through the hills, the strongest rider in the group had a flat tire. Having now made it through the hillier sections of the course, I was no longer at a disadvantage to smaller riders, and was feeling much more in my element. I was in the lead group of eight, and I began to think I could snatch a win. It’s funny how we often think too far in advance.

The last four miles of the race were frustrating. The tactics game of “who’s gunna make a move?” had begun, and at the same time, my breakfast had began making encore appearances. My feelings had quickly changed. My focus went from “how can I win this?” to “calm down stomach, ya’ll pipe down!”.

Approaching the finish line I did have a few moments I am proud of.

First, I was conscious of my wheel position, and was always on the “free side” ready to answer any last second attacks. I messed this up a lot last season, and missed many opportunities as a result. I’m glad that lesson stuck with me through the winter.

Second, when the guys in front of me blew up, I didn’t wait to get swarmed. Unlucky as it was, I was the last body on the front with 200 meters to go, so I did. Though this wasn’t the best strategy for my personal gain, I was able to recognize an opportunity to push the sprint to the advantage of my teammate. Joe was a few wheels back, and I knew a fast finish would put him in a better spot to win.

Joe was able to claim the sprint finish with a resounding victory. Exhausted before the line, I had slipped back to fourth.

Even though I was a little disappointed to not make a podium, there was no doubt we had raced really well. I’m proud of our team. Not only did we show strength in our overall results, we also had representation in nearly every age group, bike, and mileage category. Team Clark Logic is already making some serious tracks this season.

I’m so glad that the race season is now upon us. It was good to be back in the saddle, and to be reminded what all the training is for. Even if a race doesn’t come together perfectly, its still a joy to be racing. What could be better?!? Next stop Barry Roubaix!