BioWheels-Deltec Homes Road Squad hits Burnsville Metric

April 27, 2008 on 10:51 am | In Road Racing, BW/Deltec Road Squad |

Burnsville Metric Century Ride- Burnsville, NC 4/26/08

The weather for this somewhat local century turned out to be much better than predicted.  Also, with the Tour De Moore being several hours away the Burnsville Metric made a great fast training ride for local road racers.  Representing BioWheels-Deltec were Mike Small, Mike Jackson, Grant Gosch, and myself.   Once again we had the strongest group of guys in the event.  However, this time there were about 15 TCRC riders trying hard to use team tactics against us.

Century rides are always fun because there is a mix of fast “club” riders as well as road racers.  Everyone in the front ot the ride is pretty much “racing” in an effort to achieve bragging rights for the day.   These rides present many chances to practice the same tactical skills needed when racing.  However, we call these rides “cookie rides” simply because there is no money on the line.  So while competitve, we are all out to have fun and support the locals who make it happen.

So, from a racer’s perspective; here is how I saw the ride… From the start there was attack after attack from the TCRC guys.  With Mike Small having the abilaty to ride for sustained durations at 30 miles/hr there was never any panic.  At about mile 20 Mike S. decided to roll off the front.  By taking a TCRC guy with him, it prevented any of the other TCRC guys from chasing.  This set up a counter move from Mike Jackson, and 1 more TCRC guy.  They bridged up to the first break, and then they were all gone.  Back in the main field Grant and I were now stuck riding at 18-20 miles/hr.  At this point Grant was getting cagey.  He felt good, but missed the move.  Either of us would look like idiots if we chased down our own teamates.  If we wanted to get out of the group it would have to be a clean break, and hopefully we wouldn’t bring anyone too fast with us.  The opportunity happened on the first climb.  It was only about .5 miles long, but long enough to split the field.  Grant was finaly able to get up the road, but on the decent was caught by some bigger guys who descend faster.  Over the next third of the ride we rolled through beautiful ridges and pastures in Yancey county.  Eventually coming to a climb that allowed 5 of us to break free from those still left in the pack.  It was Grant, Chris (Youngblood Bikes), Art Schuster, a TCRC guy, and Me.  Once we got separation from the field I realized that the TCRC guy and Art were doing no work.  I knew Art was tired, but the TCRC guy was using us to drag him to the break up the road and his teamate.  He also apeared to be stronger than any of us.  Then we saw the break up the road.  Since they weren’t riding flat out, we caught them.  Coming into the final miles we tried several times to attack the TCRC riders, but the one who came with us was too strong.  Sprinting up the hill into town he finished first.  Mike Jackson was right behind in second, Grant third.  With me bringing up eigth, we had 4 guys in the top 8.  Compared to TCRC having a team of 15 and only 2 with the lead group, we showed some strength once again.

So that is the report from a racer’s point of view.  There were also at least 100 other riders of all ages and speeds who finished.  For some just finishing was the goal.  For others, maybe this was their first group ride.  At the end of the day I think the person who had the most fun is the real “winner”. 

written by: Zach Bannow

 

Grant,Zach and Mike J.