Ty’s broken Wrist
It was a perfect day. The Sun was high in the sky and the scent of orange blossom and the sight of oranges was abundant. Don, Dave, Tim and I drove down to the heart of Polk County to ride the Chain of Lakes Road Race. We arrived and settled in with the usual Topview Sports setup of organization and excitement.
The 50+ race was on their third lap out of four (52 miles) and we caught site of a few JC’s Bike Shop’s Blue Hammers flying through. Everyone was in high spirits and we laughed and joked about our strategy with some of the other JC’s Boys. The weather was perfect and then the end of the 50 plus race came to a close. Mike Star from Compass came flying across the finish line taking first position. I looked anxiously for Todd Morley and Ty Turbyfill and nobody arrived. I looked at Don, Tim and Dave and we all had the same look on our faces….’where was Todd, Ty and Rick’?
Don Barber about to breakaway 15 seconds
A JC’s rider came through across the line covered in blood and said
‘massive pile up back there, at least 20 riders’. We all knew our team mates had fallen. A short ride down the beautiful finishing stretch revealed what we all knew, a pile up of great riders on the side of the road, surrounded by Police and Paramedics. Ty walked through the police baracade supported by Rick, and on the ground still sitting was Todd. Ty, broken Wrist, Todd broken collarbone.
Ironman Dave
Cat V guys discussed strategy and were wisely encouraged by the JC’s gents to sit in and wait until the spirint finish. We all lined up and started Cat 5 only to be suprised with the lack of speed and effort which followed. The course was gorgeous. Smooth roads for the most part with minimal elevation. The traffic was non existent and the mood positive. The first two laps out of three saw everyone sitting where they had started due to the minimal movement due to the yellow line and the strict USA Cycling motorcycle official. Tim, Dave and I sucked wheels most of the way at the rear of the ‘peloton’ whilst the prominent white POC helmet of our teammate Don Barber seemed to move up through the group to the front. At the end of the second lap Don pulled away with another guy from the Colavita Olive Oil Team rider and we all saw him pull away. Frustrated at the back of the peoloton, James was let in by his team mate Dave and pedalled up the inside of the road only to be pushed out countless times onto the grass before he finally made it to the front of the peloton.
Each lap of the Chain of Lakes Circuit took 30 minutes and at this stage the Cat 5 peloton had been riding for about 1 hour and 5 minutes. James had his own agenda and he needed a 20 minute FTP road test. This was the perfect opportunity. At 1 hour and 10 minutes James launched and Vince, Dave and Tim all followed. The 20 minute effort took the entire peloton to the last straight. Nobody else wanted to know and Don and the Colavita dude were caught – what the heck! You chased down your own teammate! The final corner came and at 150% of FTP James pulled over to the far right of the road only to be passed by the peloton with a balistic assault of speed and acceleration from Vince. Another 10 seconds and again it was carnage! The group when down in a crash of cries and snapping carbon, James, Tim and Dave managed to avoid the carnage only to see Vince and Don launch in a slingshot to the finish line. Due to the crash everyone got the same time but JC’s Bike Shop’s Blue Hammers had shown how strong they are. Vince claimed first over the line with Don close by.
JC’s Bike Shop’s Blue Hammer Don on Top
Post Race we had a good chance to catch up and congratulate Rob Murray from Advanced Cycles who has won 35 B Category – a true gent and deserving of his accolade, as well as our compadres from JC’s and the Colavita gents. Then it was back to Bikes Beans and Bordeaux for some excellent Fat Tire and commiserations for Ty and Todd.
SUNDAY
JC’s Bike Shop’s Blue Hammer Ross on Top
At the Criterium Don Barber and Ross Piper came through with the goods and claimed First in their categories for JC’s Bike Shop’s Blue Hammers! They killed it! Well done all for a great weekend!