BioWheels-Deltec Road Team at the Assault On The Carolinas 2008

April 3, 2008 on 4:27 pm | In Road Racing, BW/Deltec Road Squad |

3-29-08

This year’s AOTC was the most epic day of my short cycling career.  It was already raining when I woke up at 6:30.  Fifteen minutes before leaving the house Mike Jackson called to tell me he wasn’t going to ride in the rain.  This would be the first of many cancelations leaving the field a bit smaller than I have seen in recent years.  But I was committed to riding.  The assault is my favorite century, so a little rain didn’t bother this ex-kayaker.
 
Once in Brevard the rain had stopped and the pavement was dry.  However, most riders rolled out bringing there rain capes for the changing conditions.  As I looked around I noticed some familiar faces including Chad Shoenauer, Chris Emory, Mark Ruscoe, Eric Krauss, Nicole Crain, Jason Smith, and Grant Gosch. (I also saw a few other Biowheels teammates that I didn’t recognize)  The first two significant climbs went as usual.  There were splits and regroups as expected.  Then it started to rain.  It was a consistent downpour for about an hour.  Descending in these conditions was either to hard or too risky for some.  Jason Smith was smart and got his rain gear on during the decent.  Mark Ruscoe sat up.  The rest of us pushed on.  At one point I was going so fast, and it was raining so hard, that I could barely see.  It was one of those days that if you are feeling good, it becomes an epic story.  But if you are feeling bad, you may hang the bike up for awhile after it’s over!
 
When we got to within 5 miles of Caesar’s Head the rain was subsiding.  I think the group was down to about 30 at that point.  As the climb began I found a nice rhythm and got the diesel going.  Today there would be no turbo, but also no bonk!  I was happy with my pace as I slowly passed a few others including Jason (cramping), and Grant (recently sick).  Chad and Chris continued to pull ahead in the lead group.  At the top I sat up a bit to let a group of 4 catch me.  However, after they failed to close the gap to me, I decided to roll.  I caught up to a big strong rider in front of me, and we started working to get to the finish.  We worked well together until we were directed right, instead of left off of 276.  This sent us down a 5 mile stretch of gravel!  Fifteen minutes later, completely lost, I found myself in downtown Pisgah Forrest!!  After asking directions (several times) I found my way back to the Brevard High school stopping the clock at 3:36.  This concluded my slowest assault ever, but also the longest at 71 miles.

written by: Zach Bannow