Quick Ventura race keeps Platinum busy

There’s not much to say about the prologue at the Ventura State Race, held May 16-17, except that it had a bunch of turns, two climbs, a good descent onto the main street finish, and was only 1.7 miles. Everybody could have benefited from a race pace pre-ride but on this typically traffic-ridden course nobody had the opportunity so everybody was equalized. Then entire cat 3 field was separated by about 40 seconds and I was 4:06, 10 seconds off the leader.

I didn’t feel too well but luckily this semi-local venue made it possible for me to go home and take nap between the prologue and the Criterium. I returned rested and anxious to race. The downtown crit was exciting and demanded everyone to pay toll each lap with a punishing climb. As the climb relentlessly blew the field apart the lapped riders were pulled off the course. The cat 3 Platinum team consisted of Chester Gilmore, Derek Johnson, Steve Smith, Steve Weixel, and me. Our team plans were set but the rate of attrition set everyone into their own mode. Chester and I always stayed near the front and went with any attacks up the climb. With two laps to go I got shuffled into bad position so on the last climb I nailed it to put myself in good position. I came into the fast downhill turn before the sprint glued to the second wheel. First and second opened it up and went side by side early so I got to pick what wheel to jump on. 

As second faded I jumped onto first and as his acceleration ended I jumped around for the win. Chester finished 10th and Steve Weixel finished despite being crashed out mid race and taking free laps. The others finished within the time cuts to race the next day. The crit win put me first in the GC, first in sprinters points, and gave me a yellow jersey for the road race.

Originally I was dreading this circuit race fearing lackluster fitness and lots of climbing but when Sunday came I was feeling good and confident. My tentative plan was to cover the other top GC contenders, which really turned out to be nearly everyone, whose numbers where written on my arm.

My goal was to get mid sprint points and to be there to content the win. With each new lap I gained confidence. Close watch on a few high in GC gave me the impression they were suffering hard on the climb. Coming into the second mid sprint I positioned myself on the 2nd in GC because I knew he was going for the time bonus which I had planned to steal from him. However, he was looking cooked and let two get away. He didn’t respond so I jumped to bridge the large gap. With the gap nearly closed I looked back to see a train on my wheel so I pulled off with the plan to get right back in. Unfortunately, the train died on my wheel, the two got away, and I was cooked which was the beginning of the end. During the next climb I felt twinges and then hard cramps came fast. As my quads locked-up I sat up and watch the lead group slowly ride off. I nearly came to a stand-still working out my quads and trying to pedal circles. Fifty yards up the road I passed Chester sitting on the side tending to his cramped legs. I was able to soft pedal the remaining three laps and was passed by other solo riders including teammate Smitty. I figured it may be my last cat 3 race so I wanted to finish and be counted in the GC. The last three laps were very peaceful and I actually enjoyed the ride. Little did I know that there was a string of solo riders behind me including teammate Weixel.

Following Sea Otter I was sick with bronchitis then pneumonia and was able to put in 16 hours of riding before this stage race. I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty but really wanted to be a part of this local stage race. I never imagined it would turn out so nice with a win and a yellow jersey. I’m not disappointed in cramped circuit race legs but really just happy it didn’t happen in the crit. There was some good suffering but in hindsight it was all a lot of fun. I had a great time racing with my teammates and listening to Chester ’s life stories during our drives. Huge thanks go to my buddy, mountain bike nemesis Dermot Carroll, for being my crit cheerleader and giving me circuit race feeds.