Strasburg Road Race - First Race for the Team for the 2013 Season

RACE REPORT

Aaron Barr

Strasburg Road Race

Event Date: 3/16/2013

Weather Conditions: All week the forecast was calling for rain or snow starting around midnight and continuing throughout the race. Fortunately, the rain held off and we only had to deal with some minor snow showers. As with most Lancaster County races, no matter how little wind there is "supposed" to be, there is typically enough to make it a factor. This race was no different.

My Event Goals: Stay in the front 5-10 throughout the race and finish on the podium.

Race: Michele asked me to write this race report and my first excuse was that I can never remember the details of a race, even after just crossing the finish line. Though true, that excuse did not phase her one bit and I wasn't quick enough to come up with another excuse, so here is my account of the race.

First, I'd like to say it was a great experience riding for Swashbuckler Brewery Co. Cycling. Michele and Scott were very gracious to have hooked us up with kits and other race support like whoopie pies & beer. Another great experience was racing with my new teammate, Jason Roth. We both seem to have similar riding styles and racing mentality and as Jason said, "we will definitely cause some trouble this year".

The race started on an incline and by the time we were over the top of the hill, I was in a break with a rider from another team. We rotated pulls for about ¾ of the first 5.5-mile lap, staying ahead of the pack, but by only a few hundred yards. As we came to the last incline before the start/finish line, he and I decided to ease up and rejoin the pack. Amazingly, Jason dropped his chain on the first hill, but was able to pedal his way back into the pack before the end of the first lap.

The race was then fairly uneventful leading up to about the 4th lap, when suddenly I got stuck out of position and fell into the back of the pack. Considering this was the first Cat 4/5 race of the season, I knew I was in a somewhat dangerous position. As I was trying to make my move back to the front, another rider to the front-left of me lost his balance for some reason, careened off the road, right across my front wheel, taking another rider with him. I felt like Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder, riding straight into the carnage and somehow out the other side. After that close call, I got back to the front with Jason and we stayed there for the final lap or so. The final mile of the race got heated up and we were battling up front, all while still trying to save some for the finish. We started up the final incline, I was about 3rd wheel and I think Jason was right behind me. I was trying to stay as far left as possible so I would only have to protect my right from anyone trying to pass. As we came over the final hump, which then dropped down through a gravel covered s-turn, I kicked it into to high gear and waited for someone to sprint. At that point, I heard some commotion behind me which was Jason getting mixed up with a few riders and he ended up losing my wheel. I started to close on the lead rider, who then stood up and turned it on to try to hold me off. I think he was gassed and to my surprise he sat back down and let me sprint by him for the win!

I'm very excited to have won my first race as a Cat 4 and looking forward to a great season with the team.