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A. Freye's 05' Update #5 |
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Written by Andrew Freye
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Saturday, 13 August 2005 |
8/7/05- Sugarloaf USA, Stop number six in the Maine Points Series
I decided to mix things up a little bit at this race and race on my rigid single speed which wasn't the smartest thing I have ever done. For those of you who know what the race at the loaf is like a rigid bike isn't meant for it. The single speed part was fine, but I am surprised my arms didn't fall off by the end of the race. My goal for the day was to beat all the experts.
On 7/31 I raced the Jay Peak Challenge (that 70+mile race with 11,000+ ft of climbing) and thought I was going to get some nice rest after the race. Well turns out according my coach that taking to much rest then would cause me to peak to early so on 8/2 I was back in full training with tons of intervals and sprints etc… I didn't think I could keep my goal of beating all the experts needless to say.
Well turns out I was wrong, my legs felt great! I was able to put a huge amount of time onto young Brad Perley and teammate Rick Nelson on the climbs. They say, "The faster you go the smoother the ride becomes" well I tried that but it didn't seem to be the case on the descents. I was as slow as a snail coming down the mountain. I bet I was going faster up the mountain then down.
I ended up finishing just ahead of Rick Nelson with a time of 2:10.08 in second place over all. Dan Vaillancourt took the over all win. (He is a semi-pro who was on a full suspension with gears) My legs even felt pretty good after the race despite my arms feeling like Jell-O.
8/14/05 Hodges Dam Race, Stop number ten in the Root 66 Racer Series
In the beginning of the year I told myself that I would beat Ben Moody by the end of year. Moody is arguably the top racer in New England. In the spring Moody was putting several minutes on me when we raced. Well folks the tables have turned! Despite undesirable race conditions with the weather in the 90's and humidity around 90% the course was in great shape. The course was super fast, dry as a bone, and very rocky and covered with roots. Perfect for my Salsa Cabellaro! And a big thanks to the folks at Bikeman for getting it ready for this weekend.
The race started out with Moody out front and me right on his wheel. Only a couple minutes into the race I was telling Moody to pick up the pace and go harder. I knew I had to play with Moody's head in order to beat him. Moody just moved over a little bit and let me go by him. It was to early to attack so I tried to control the pace. Three others joined Moody and myself and we stayed as a pack for the first three laps. On lap 3 Moody started to pick up the pace a little and I stayed right on his wheel. I continued to tell him things such as "you need to pick up the pace" "lets put a gap on everyone else" "you don't want me in front because I feel great". After saying such things Moody pulled over and I attacked. I was stupid to attack that early in the race in such heat.
By lap four Moody and two others had caught back up to me. The pack would stay together until mid way through lap five (out of five laps). Mid way through lap five Dan, Jamie and myself all attacked leaving Moody by himself. I didn't quite have enough in my legs to stay with Dan and Jamie to the finish because of my foolish attack earlier on in the race. I would finish 3rd over all thirty seconds back from first place and ahead of Moody.
After today I couldn't be in better spirits heading down to West Virginia for nationals! I have been working for these next two weeks since January and I am pumped! Again thank you to everyone who has helped me out this year so far it's been a ton of fun! I will let you know how WV and VT go. Wish me luck
Andrew Freye, Team Bikeman
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