Spring Fling Criterium Series

Well we thought it might be warm....but it wasn't.  Temperature was about 37 degrees when we arrived at Clinton Lake State Park on Saturday.  The winds were super strong hitting you in the face as you rode down the finishing straight.  When we arrived, Adam, Armando, Blake and I set up the tent, trainers, chairs, etc.  That was a potential error.  Our efforts only afforded us about a 10 minute warm-up.  Each week the masters have gradually turned the pace up during the race.  The speeds were high, but not intolerable at first.  That all changed Saturday.  New faces who had not raced appeared at the start.  The hard winds enticed riders to attack.  Knowing they could get a gap.  Our teammate, Art Mathisen was one of those riders he launched one of a series of attacks early on in the race.  Mark Ramsden was able to make the move.  The rest of us were unable to.

The next race was the ladies' category 4 race.  Anita Gonzalez was our only racer and she garnered points!  It helps to be persistent.  Anita has been.  Congratulations! 

Next the juniors raced.  Abby Olsen, and John Finnegan raced.  They toughed out the cold and rode well.  John was second and Abby was third.  John raced in the 12 to 18 year old juniors as well on Saturday.  

The men raced again in the category 4/5 race.  No points were made by anyone; however all of us stayed with the field and several of us challenged the final sprint.  Evidently we were properly warmed up by this time.  Racers included Armando Peralta, Adam Wilcoxen, Zach Bowen, and myself.  

Finally the men's category five field.  Mike Miller, Jim Lee, Matt Doolan, and Bill Cole raced.  No report on their results.

Sunday was the final race of the Lake Perry Series.  Shawn Morelli raced and won the entire series for the women's open.  She also won King of the Mountains.  Outstanding job in cold and windy conditions.  

Thanks to Roger Harrison for supplying our heater and cheering us on!