Mystic Velo Race Report

I lined up Saturday with Kolie and Brendan (as well as our buddy Lincoln) for the Mystic Velo crit, the second crit of the season at Ninigret Park in Charlestown, RI. Rhode Island, my old stomping grounds! After getting a sense of the course a few weeks back at the first in the series, I was ready to have some fun out there, despite not being a very good crit dweller. 22 laps around a fun little loop didn’t seem too intimidating. Saturday was a little different than the first time around – much windier, coming down the home stretch towards the finish, as well as a brief section on the other side of the course. Trying to move up in that section the first few laps I realized it would be a bit of a challenge. Regardless, the three of us were chilling in the pack, perhaps moreso than reasonable, when about 5 laps in as we cross the finish line a prime was announced, for a chocolate bunny. Intriguing! I jumped off the front in pursuit of the bunny. No one chased, or if they did, they didn’t do a very good job. I won the prime with a huge gap on the field, sat up, but didn’t get caught for another lap. I guess I don’t do a very good job of sitting up. The next 8 laps or so I spent recovering ain my prime tailgunning position at the back of the pack. Not a good place to be, I know. 6 laps to go came, and 2 guys jumped off the front about half way through the lap (including Scott Madeiros from ten speed spokes). I somehow missed this. But I knew (1) my teammates weren’t represented and (2) felt I could contribute being off the front and making other guys chase, setting up Brendan or Kolie for the sprint. Off I went, where I promptly found myself in no mans land between the leaders, about 1/3 of a lap up on the field, and the rest of the contenders. I got close, but couldn’t seal the deal. After spending 2.5 laps up there all by my lonesome the field took pity on me and snapped me up with 2 to go. The two off the front stuck it, with Scott taking the win. Brendan got stuck in the field and sprinted for 10th. Not as exciting as we had hoped, but at least we got some chocolate.