Quabbin Reservoir Road Race - P/1/2/3 - 4/26/09
63 miles (60mi actual, race went off course)
80 starters
Brian Campbell 23 (3rd Cat 3)
Landen Wark-Acebo 30
As told by Brian Campbell:
It was very hot, no clouds, and already above 80 before the start, great combo. Since the leaves were not out yet there was no shelter either. Without a feed zone, I was worried about hydration and decided to carry a third bottle in my jersey. The course was in very good shape and roads were smooth. The course reminded me of Sunapee but the climbs had a number of turns which prevented you from seeing the top until you were at least half way up. So always keep something in reserve.
We had a neutral out of the park and started racing on route 9. The pace was steady by not too fast and the pack stayed together for approx the first 10 miles. A group of ~12 started to pull away and maintained a steady gap for the next few miles. The field tended to close on the flats and down hills but usually lost ground on the hills. At the next big climb, the field took an easy pace and we lost sight of the break. As we rounded the northern tip of the Quabbin the break had split and we pulled in the back half. No attacking occurred at this point and only small surges up the climbs occurred which did not amount to anything. I tried to stay about ~30 back so I could just spin and let the surge pull me.
At Hardwick center things got interesting, the Greenwich Rd marshal must have been taking a coffee break b/c nobody was there and the Motorcycle just continued south on 32A. The field followed and tried to flag the motorcycle but he was almost ¼ mile ahead and apparently never looked back. We slowed to 17mph as we tried to figure out what to do for the next 3 or 4 miles. This also allowed dropped riders to catch back on. As we approached RT 9 we realized we were not turning back so the field got back to race pace. With the lead pack gone we were racing for 8th.
We blasted through Ware center, running two red lights, forcing cars over to the side in both directions as the field crowded around the double yellow. I also just missed a career ending pothole by a few inches as we crossed under the tracks. I am still amazed there were no accidents.
As we continued on RT 9 west and the pace picked up slightly. We pulled into the park and the field starting using most of the road. Landen and I were both doing well and in good position as we closed in on the finish. I was not sure how long the park road was before the finish but after about 1 ½ miles I got behind Bradshaw’s wheel figuring this was a good place to be. We continued along a little ways, I kept looking for a 200m or 100m sign before moving up but nothing. Then on the next turn I saw the finish. I was about in ~25th place in the pack and a little further back than I would have normally planned. The finish was very steep and I think I was going no more than 12 mph. I stood up to go for the finish, oops no power left, so I finished at the back of the lead pack of 15.