While a lot of the world was having fun on Marblehead Neck, a contingent of the ECV Masters Racing Team braved the cold and wind at Wells Ave. The race referees allowed our more experienced participants to ride along with those less experienced in the 15 laps of the C race. Also in the C race were two non-Masters ECV racers - young Katy Schutz, recognizable from the Monday night rides in her first race, and Mark Bissell from Boxford.
The C race started sedately, after extensive instructions from the Boston Road Club's race manager. Anyone who warmed up pre-race cooled off during the line-up, facing into a stiff headwind. After a couple of easy laps, the field of about 40 began to feel frisky and picked up to something close to race pace. A couple of laps later was the first sprint lap - a prime for a water bottle. Coming into the final turn before the finish line straightaway, three of us were riding near the front, two masters along with Mark. The two Masters allowed the front group of four to gain a small break, enough so that Mark was sprinting against just three others instead of the field, enabling him to score the water bottle! With that same technique employed again, Mark took second in another prime. Heading into the final lap, we tried to set Mark up with a Cipollini-like train. A c ouple of non-ECV's hopped on the train ahead of Mark, so he was left to fend for himself, showing remarkable Robbie McEwen-like skills as he caromed off a few guys but could not quite get to the front.
After a short intermission, long enough to chill Dude, the B race began in earnest. Against a field of about thirty, a three man contingent from Quad Cycles took off like they had stolen something, gaining a quick break. A combi of Landry's, Northeastern U, and ECV Masters laid chase reeling the Quads back within a lap. No one on our squad was in contention for the first prime - but wiley coyotes noticed that, particularly with the headwind into the finish, the sprinters were starting their push a little too soon. On the next prime, said coyote started the sprint well after the first half-dozen or so had gone, passing all but one before the line. No points for second place, or for fourth in the next one. Our three-man squad was very visible at or near the front all of the race, chasing down a few breaks. And once or twice, breakaways containing one of our crew lasted up to a couple of laps, but the remaining squad was unable to block the peleton from catching up again. As we made the turn into the final lap (30 laps), three cars, including a taxi discharging a passenger, appeared up the road, blocking the finish line. All three ECV's were near the front, and in excellent position for a strong finish as the rest of the pack was spread out behind. Unfortunately, the slow-up to avoid the taxi also allowed everyone to regroup for a final 'final' lap. This time, we were all buried in the crowd, trying to phone home for Mama.
All in all, a very good first outing and successful test of fitness. Everyone finished with the rubbah still on the road.
Next stop - Miles Standish on April 20!
TC