My original plan was to try and stay with the 2nd group but when I found out that I would race in the 5 B group I decided my goal would be to stay with the lead group. We went out pretty hard for a mile or two but it was compfortable. Lots of jockeying for position and the battling the nerves because of the group size. After about 4 miles, I decided the pace was not hard enough, so I went to the front. In my mind, I could now say I lead the race. I rode at or near the front most of the way. By the 10 mile point, there was a group of about 6 of us who were doing most of the work and setting the pace. I felt like, I wanted to spread the group out as I knew the finish was up a hill and I didn't want to get beat by fresh legs that had sat back on the draft the whole way. By mile 15 we had split the group dropping 10 or 12 riders. We caught 5 or 6 riders from the back of the 5A group. Miles 16 to 20 saw some attacks but they were quickly chased down. At mile 20 the pace picked up and the lead group was down to around 15. At mile 22 attacks started coming everywhere. I stayed with 15 feet of the lead and was trying to distance some folks. The last half mile was really tough all uphill. I was 2nd when we started the hill and ended up 7th.

Strategically, I spent too much time at the front. I knew it, but I was having too much fun. If I had stronger legs at the end, I may have been able to finish better but I knew the younger, skinnier guys would whip me on the hill at the end.

I think I would like to try a breakaway. I was content to push the pace and didn't know anyone well enough to invite someone to go along on a break.

After the race, I should have left and went back to the hotel. I stayed and watched the other groups finish and didn't get back to the hotel till lunch time. I did meet alot of nice people while watching the others finish.

Rode bike down to car and got some powerade and water. Then I changed clothes and rode back to the finish line and watched other groups finish.


Lack of a solid strategy and limited experience.


This was stage one of 3. The time trial is schedule at 4PM and the crit is tommorrow morning. Friendly, helpful folks, who know how to put on a race. The post race activities kind of go on continually, but all the awards will be given out after the crit tommorrow. Oh yeah, one more thing, Miss Mississippi was there for the start.