That Dam Race #1: My First Bike Race

This is just about the best representation of my race today. Just imagine 
me as Lance and about 15 Joseba Belokis in front of me.



On the first of three laps, the field was experiencing a pretty bad accordion effect;
with the back of the pack repeatedly sprinting and braking to keep in touch with 
the wheel in front of them. After safely making it across the dam and through the 
first two corners, it appeared that a couple riders touched wheels in the back half 
of the pack, taking down just about everyone else behind them. There might have 
been 2 or 3 riders that did not end up on the ground. Somehow, as people were
crashing on my left and right, with every hole I saw closing, I jumped in a grass
ditch, stayed on two wheels and rode back onto the course.

Unfortunately, I was not able to keep in touch with the field after getting back up
to speed. I spent 5 miles soloing as hard as I could to keep the field in sight. At 
mile 7.5 the race was essentially "red flagged" until they could clear the riders from 
the course (one had to be loaded into an ambulance on a stretcher). Despite the
field neutralization, I was too spent to remain in contact once the race got back
underway and was dropped on the first hill. I was the first finisher outside the 
"peleton".

My first thoughts as the race got underway was "they really are racing," and any
visions of glory I had driving to the lake were quickly dashed. I will update as 
soon as photos and results are posted.