Smokey you are about to enter a world of pain…

So I rode in my first criterium last night. For those of you reading that may not know what this is, it’s a bike race where the course is a loop and there are a set number of laps, in this case twelve. I had never ridden any type of mass start bike race, so needless to say I was a little nervous, more anxious than nervous I guess. I drove home from work, packed up the bike and headed for OPUS. The Cat5 (Cat 5 = beginning racers, Cat 1= bad asses) race started at 5:45 and I was leaving at around 5:00, I figured I had plenty of time. Well, traffic was bad and it was farther than I expected so I couldn’t stop to get cash if I wanted to make the race. I knew that registration was at an Einstein Brothers Bagels, so I assumed they would have a cash machine. Wrong, no cash machine anywhere. So I was late, had no money, and the registration was about to close. Luckily I found another team member and bummed the money from him. Thanks again Jason. The first time I meet you I ask for money, great first impression! Anyway I get to the registration table and I find out that the Cat5 race has closed and they are going to put me in the Cat4 race. Sweet titties! I’m really glad I decided to race tonight.

I caught up with Tuffy and told him I would be joining his race and he was as shocked as I was. The advice he gave me was to make sure I hold my line in the peloton no matter what. He said that everyone would be racing really close and if I made any sudden moves I would likely take other riders out or get bitch slapped after the race. I was feeling better about my decision after every minute that passed. Oh by the way I showed up with a bike that was having minor mechanical issues. I had recently changed a pulley in my rear derailleur and now it was having some trouble shifting. I thought I was going to get there in time have someone take a look at it.

This year I had been reading the race reports of other teammates in their first season of racing. The first few races their goal was to finish with the main pack. I adopted their goals as mine and rolled up to the line. We took off and I had some trouble clipping into my pedals, I finally got it sorted out after the second lap. The pace was quick, but I was hanging with the group. The pace would go up as high as 39 mph, and slow to around 18-19. We were racing close but I felt really comfortable. Every three laps there are sprints in which the top three riders get points. This is where my wheel fell off. The paced picked up and I lost contact with the group at the end of the third lap, which consists of an uphill sprint. I caught back up with them before the climb on the 4th lap, but then lost them for good. Another lesson learned: A bike that has a shifting mind of its own, especially once you start cranking uphill, is not a good race bike. I did however meet my goal of finishing with the main group, though I had another lap to go. Yes I got lapped in my first crit. Super, super sweet.

I wanted to stick around for the rest of the races but Jason had to drive back to Mankato and I needed to get to the ATM to get cash for him. Sorry about that Cat6. I drove home with my tail between my legs, ate dinner and walked the dog, then headed to the YMCA for some more punishment, this time in the pool. I am tired today. After work I’m heading to Lake Nokomis for my first open water swim of the year. I imagine the water will be cold and dirty. I’m meeting people from the mntriclub so hopefully they’ll be half as cool as the people that I’ve met through Cat6.