BASP #3 GG Park Master 45+A

This was my first BASP race of the season and only my third 45+ A race of the season. The start of my season did not go so well and the fitness was lacking but thanks to Coach Paul Page Hanson and bike fit Julie my legs and bike fit have been feeling better lately and I had high hopes of doing well at the hometown race.

Started near the back with Dane, Paule and Hans Kellner. This was good. One, I would have some good wheels to follow and Hans would have it all on video. Before the start Paule tells me that we can go around or over the log on the second turn. Considering that I am near the back I have already made the decision to go over the log expecting a major cluster at that point.

log hop from the Hans video.

Up and over the log I go and I immediately pass five riders. Feeling good about this I keep the effort maxed out for the first half a lap then settle into a nice pace. Coming into the backside road section Paule passes me and encourages me to get on his wheel. I stick to Paules wheel for another half a lap but my fitness and lack of racing the past three weeks will not allow me to stay with him for long at that pace. I back off and settle into my own pace and start planning how to pass as many riders as I can before the finish.

One of the few places I am able to make up time on people is the little ride up out of "the bowl" below the start/finish line. The crowds are crazy and it's one of the best parts of the course to ride and pass riders. I was able to ride it all but one time and passed two people walking up so that felt good.

I passed a few more riders before the finish ending the day 33rd out of 45?. Happy with my race I get in some good recovery at the mouse tent and get ready for the real work of tearing down the site in less than an hour.

GTTM!

Steve