Leland Kermesse

Race # 19
who cares/40ish

Many thanks to Flatlandia for hosting a real road race so close to Chicago!

Despite the old but newly enforced USAC rules not allowing racers to transfer results from races sanctioned by other governing bodies, I thought this race was too rare an opportunity to let it pass. I’m glad I didn’t. Bryan and Andrew were going to race rain or shine and I was doubtful I wanted to at first, but then I remember I usually do alright on days I don’t “feel” like racing. I think I did alright.

The course was nearly pancake flat save a few risers, and the ~1mile gravel road. Which by the way looked waaaaay worse in the video than it actually was. The wind was a real challenge for the first 4 miles. But that it was a sustained wind make it possible to find a rhythm. There were some nasty gusts, but it was not “gusty.”

So the first lap was uneventful. A rider from Killjoy (Ben Popper) set the pace, pretty steady, nothing nuts. He was not really creating a disadvantage for himself by staying at the front because the wind was angled. In fact because everyone wanted to be out of the wind, no one would create an echelon—so there we go 2x2. Half the field was in the wind and ½ the field was a ½ wheel back not getting too much respite from the wind--some even thought it best to dangerously cross wheels just to stay leeward even so far as riding just in the gutter. Good thing it wasn’t too gusty.

After a while, just after the right turn and a tail wind, Popper picked jumped and rode away with a few others. I really didn’t have the legs to go with somewhere near 30 miles remaining, and I really didn't think it would stick. (mental note: work on mental toughness and race smarts and go with attacks by really strong riders). So about 10 of us formed a second group.

Holy crap do people need to learn the fundamentals of working in a group. I said something about forming an echelon but Max from Cutting Crew had already organized a rotating line. Some had never been taught or didn’t understand that the point of a pace line is and so they made it really difficult for us to find a rhythm. After too many miles of really poor attempts we finally got it going. Several of us helped a few of the less experienced riders figure it out. Though a few times it was only appropriate to let a guy unknowingly “attack” off the front, only for them to turn around and realize they simply didn’t keep a steady pace and wasted their effort. I’m pretty sure some “learning” happened in this process.

By this point the front group was well out of sight and we would soon duke it out among ourselves. After completing two laps, and about 1-2 miles past he start/finish I went for my gel tucked conveniently in the leg of my shorts and a gust caused me to bump shoulders with a guy next to me. It was not by any means a dramatic bump, but he was already crossed wheels with the guy in front of him and he went down.

We’re in the middle of nowhere. There is no support vehicle. No one will drive by for a loooong time. There are no field marshals anywhere nearby. Hell, there isn’t even a farmhouse in sight. I look back and he’s lying in the middle of the road not moving. I look back again and he’s still there. I sit up and ride back to see that he is ok. Luckily, he was. A Tati rider and one of his teammates did the same.

So, with 1.5 laps to go my “race” is over. Tati goes off to catch back on and we form a nice 3 person echelon and his teammate and I pace him back. By the gravel road I leave them to finish my final lap on my own. The rain finally came along with some spectacular lightning and it looked pretty damn scary. I finished just within 2 hrs. I assume 15-20 min back from the winners. Though I have no idea.

The other Monkeys did well with Bryan and Dave both in the top 15 of the 5s race and Andrew (5s) and John and myself (4s) finishing somewhere – but at least finishing our distance.

Things to work on: 1 min power.