The first weekend of May brought us some beautiful cyclocross weather. Cold, wet, and windy. (Somehow all of these spring races that start next to a lake trigger this weather.) We even had some cyclocross-type obstacles, including a metal plate in the road, and for some an off-road finish. More on that later.
The race was two laps of the Olsburg course in reverse, but with the start/finish moved to Manhattan, adding another 6 miles to and from the Olsburg loop. Kyle made the trip out to Manhattan for this race. The first 15 miles were into a north headwind. Nobody wanted to be in front because if you got stuck there, nobody would take your place. Kyle did his fair share of pulling into the headwind, all while keeping a close headcount.
Finally we spot the turn to the west. Two guys attacked and the race was on. We were single-file along the centerline for the next five miles, leaving no room to draft due to the crosswind, and the front group was down to 8 riders. But as we turn south and finally get a tailwind, a truce was declared and everyone slowed to eat and drink. The breakaway was over.
Next comes the most scenic part of the route. But no time for that, we've got a tailwind. After a few minutes at near 30mph, we get to the mountainous section (or as close as you can get for Kansas) and we shed all but 7 riders. Will this group stay away? We crest a hill and pass the masters riders. A few hills later, Kyle senses weakness as the lead group slows down again at the top of a hill, so he pulls away on a solo breakaway.
First objective: Get out of sight. The hills should make this easier. Kyle powers over the hills and makes the turn to start lap 2. Halfway home. Next objective: Stay away for 10 miles of headwind. After about a mile, a quick glance over the shoulder reveals that Kyle is no longer out of sight. A couple minutes later, another glance reveals that they're gaining and the breakaway won't last much longer. Well, that was a good four or five mile attempt.
As the chase group made the catch, still nobody wanted to pull into the headwind. This made for some very strange racing as they left Kyle out in front to pull them along at about 15mph. But Kyle was not willing to pull and wear himself out any further. What's the best way to get off the front of the peloton? Weaving back and forth across the road didn't work, everyone just followed. How slow is everyone willing to go? Kyle slowed down to about 10mph before someone in the back (who isn't doing any of the work, of course) starts yelling about our pace. Finally someone else went to the front, and we continued lap 2 much like lap 1.
As we turn west again, there was no attack into the crosswind. We were going slow. Most of the group had rejoined. The masters racers passed us. It felt more like a group ride, but everyone was keeping a close eye on each other.
We make the turn to the south. There was a short-lived attack but the tailwind neutralized it. Kyle made his way to the front. New objective: Shed as many riders as possible. We powered through the scenic countryside at 30mph, then over the hills, passing the masters again. There would be no solo breakaway this time as everyone tried to keep pace.
1k to go, a couple of right turns, and Kyle finds himself at the back of a 9-man group as we head up the finishing hill, complete with switchbacks. However, the road is not closed and we all must stay on our side of the road. While Kyle is looking for a gap on the left, the attack goes on the right and he had no place to go, losing precious seconds. Then near the front, two riders veered right and forced two others off into the gravel. Luckily they stayed upright and finished in the top 5. Maybe it's better to stay in the back?
Kyle: 7th / 14, Cat. 4