Tail gunning

Sunday went about as I expected. Hotter than the 7th level of hell, lots off craziness on the climb(goofy spectators with baby dolls). I used all my years of wisdom & got off the line like a bat out oif hell to miss the first lap screw ups on the initial climb. Faded back nicely to the tail gunner spot. "Yelled/scolded" @ JB(a real gamer & class act racer who had his head somewhere else, way smarter than that normally). Big ring on the climb? Not this kid I spent 95% of the race in my 38(which the 235 avg watts will attest too). Only got in the 53 long enough to grab a wheel out of the downhill turn & shifted back down to the 38 at or right after the finish line. What can I say I have mad tail gunning skills. I did about screw the pooch with 8 or 9 to go & had to grab a jr's wheel & let him drag me around 10 guys who split off the back.

Normally the heat KILLS me. Tried a new strategy that worked killer! Plus I rode through the sprinkler EVERY lap. One of the benefits of tail gunning. I rolled in 26th. I beat 4 whole guys in the sprint. Yeah me! Something like 80 starters 30-35 finishers. Mad Attrition. Like I said JB the race is all fluff till the last 15 minutes. Conserve, conserve, conserve.

Tulsa Tough Update

Two races down one REALLY hard one left to go. Friday night got in the money(18th). Felt good the whole race & was able to pack surf at will. With 5 laps to go a huge pile up took down /stopped the back half of the field. It was surreal to have a bike bouncing 10 feet high across the start line. It actually hit me in the left forearm. Was able to push it away & luckily only unclipped for a few seconds. Didn't even have to sprint to stay in the main group. Positioned myself pretty well for myself & hadn't a descent turn of speed @ the end, just don't have that extra gear sprinters have.

Saturday was H!O!T!! First hot day of the year for me. Started the race with ice in all my pockets. Felt good all race & never really taxed(according to the Power File). Flatted my front tire with 15 laps to go(B Town Reject delivered me my new tires so not overly impressed with PRO Race 3 so far) It was a weird flat; dumped about 40PSI really fast then slowed down. Actually did a full lap on it before going to the back & pulling in for my free lap. Finished the race with pretty sweet 404. Thanks SRAM neutral support. Don't like the Brady district course, its too wide open for me. Was potioned pretty good @ the bell lap but the road is so wide got swarmed in the first turn & had to do a little fighting to get back where I wanted to be. The finish straight was all tail wind so I was screwed.

23rd & out of the money. 3rd time I've done Brady & 3rd time I've been out of the money. I'm 2 for 3 @ Blue Dome. 1 for 1 @ Riverside so hopefully the trend continues there today.

After Saturdays race, a shower, & dinner we watched the end of the PRO race. Huff took his 2nd win(Blue Dome Friday, Brady Saturday). They said he's the first PRO male to go back to back, doubt he'll go 3 for 3. Its a pretty nasty climb Sunday. Chatted it up a little after. Walking back to the car saw Floyd Landis. Shook his hand(nice guy). Mia didn't want anything to do with him. Don't feel bad Floyd she was impressed with Lars Boom either.