I had my first (Cat 5) USCF race last weekend; The Tour Di Anna. It was a three part stage race in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Saturday morning was the three mile time trial. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I started off the first bit going 25 (no aero bars) but just pushed it way to hard. I finished okay, but I need to work on that.
Stage two was that afternoon; a 26 mile road race. It started raining right before the start and I was just too weary about riding with folks in the rain to hang on very close. Those guys' wheels were going all over the place so I just hung out on the back about 10 feet off. Naturally they dropped me fairly quick into it, but at least I never went down. At least one guy did. 🙁 In retrospect I probably should have just stayed at the very front. At least then I wouldn't have gotten road gunk in my eyes from tires kicking it up.
Sunday's road race was a lot easier. I stayed with the pack un until the end and finished around about 50 yards behind the winner finishing 16 of 22 in the GC. I was caught by suprise at the finish. I thought it was supposed to be 24 miles, but it ended up being just under 20. I was planning on just catching folks during the hill climb which ended up being the finish! Orange cones were there, it just didn't click. I thought it was a feed zone or something for the Cat 1/2/3s. Oh well!
It's true what I've read on here, just at the point when you think you can't hang on any longer they all slow down. I learned a lot and had a great time, particularly on Sunday. I was just smiling the whole time! 🙂 Conversely, racing in the rain sucks royally!
Here are a couple pictures on my wife's blog:
http://mamadilettante.blogspot.com/
I can't wait until my next race! 🙂
Jeo