Berkshire Classic – http://berkshirecyclingclassic.com/
Mikael H, Aaron M and Peter N made the trip to Lenox MA for this unbelievable ride. As a UCI worlds qualifier, this was not your Father’s Gran Fondo, but more of a no holds barred open category road race! It was also both most fun I have had on a bike in a long time and one of the most painful rides ever. An 81mi course with 6000ft of climbing that boasted about 350 at the start. The 1st natural selection came at a 4mi hill at mile 18, where I was dropped but caught back on thanks to some strong work by 4 guys from the Rapha team (lead group down to 100). Next selection came at 5mi climb at mile 31, where I lost contact over last 200yds and chased for 3mi with 7 others. Caught back on then puked (lead group now 30). Raced hard until some rollers at mile 70 and got spit out. Finished in 3:42 and 26th overall (4th in my division). Aaron finished in 3:54 (3rd in his division) and Peter in 4:14. Awesome ride and should be on everyone’s calendar for 2013!

Tour of Colts Neck
Lucia M, Lucia D and Stephanie trekked out to Colts Neck, NJ for the Tour of Colts Neck. Stephanie raced in the Women’s 123 field with Cheryl Wolf and Lucia M and I raced in the Cat 4 field. There was a very large presence from the Innervation Fitness Women’s racing team – 5 of them, so they worked together to control the pace for the entire race and also attempted some attacks. Lucia & Lucia (heh heh) mostly tried to stay out of trouble and avoid sketchy wheels. Lucia D moved up after the first lap to cover any breakaway attempts and none were successful, and Lucia M did a good job of staying protected and conserving energy throughout the race. We caught up to the Women’s 123 field several times and slowed down when they were in sight. In hindsight, we probably should have passed them because on the last lap, in the final meters, our field caught up to the Women’s 123 field in our final sprint (them having 2 laps to go). The race officials did not do a very good job neutralizing the W123 field and as a result, our field had to sprint around them to the finish line. Lucia M was in great position, but due to the confusion with the 2 fields together, a girl from Asphalt Green jumped around a split second faster than Lucia. Still, Lucia M finished 2nd place and won some cash! Great job to all the ladies who raced!

Stephanie and Cheryl W were up in the Women’s 123 race where two girls got away in the second lap and stayed away. Cheryl got 7th in the field for 9th overall.

Brian W lined up in the Men’s 45+ with Joe, Glenn, Scott, Keith and Vladimir. Joe, Vladimir and Scott started attacking right from the gun. With 3 laps to go, Vladimir got down the road with 4 other riders. Joe and Scott rode tempo at the front in the last lap. Glenn took a massive pull with 800 meters to go. Vladimir was 5th. Keith won the field sprint for 6th, Brian was 7th and Glenn was 9th.