TOUR OF THE BATTENKILL / Cat 2 - 4-21-08
TOUR OF THE BATTENKILL / Cat 2
Attending folk : Peter Bradshaw
I traveled to NY with John Broussard (NEBC cat 3 superstar) and his father. Arrived early and took advantage of the all you can eat pasta buffet at the Cambridge Hotel. Turned in early and felt ready to race on Saturday. At the start of the race we were informed that for the second year in a row we would be skipping one additional climb. Last year the last minute snowstorm shut the road down and this year it was on fire! The race started well with some mild attacking on the first climb. My legs felt good and I moved to the front. The pace picked up and attacks really started flying off. Thinking it was too early I let the others chase down all the breaks and tried to sit in. As we approached the second climb, approx mile 20, 2 riders were up the road with maybe 20 seconds. I was near the front so I gave a few kicks and eased off the front. There was no reaction so onward! I bridged up to make a 3 man break with Ciaran from CCB and an unknown rider in a blue kit. In no time we had established ourselves and were moving well. At around mile 50 we were told the group was gaining on us, then around 5 miles later someone bridged up from the Empire team. He was riding really well and seemed to be much fresher than my other two companions. As we made the turn onto Ferguson Rd at mile 61 I had a disaster! Cruel fate, as I turned onto the dirt road I caught a rock wrong and punctured my front tire. I said goodbye and waited for service. Unfortunately service was behind the peloton and by the time the change was done even the field was long gone. I attempted to chase back but never saw them again. The Empire rider went on to win solo and the other two were absorbed by the field. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find out how or where they got caught.
•peter