15 lap Crit in downtown Augusta

All the upright para cyclists toed the line at high noon - rocketed off the line and began a 15 lap race around downtown Augusta. Hand cyclists, trikes and other non uprights did not race today. I warmed up with Bryant Young a C2 riders out of Greenville, SC who has six kids and is a very likable guy. Unfortunately, the second turn out of the gates proved to be problematic and he crashed HARD - I flew by as he hit and I think he was KO'd - my heart sank, I hope to see him tomorrow and know that he is okay.

Warming up with Bryant (r)

Entering the very first turn - watching for sketchy riders

Racing down the straight away

Leading out one of the early laps - moved up to be near the front - didn't want to be ON the front

Once the elite guys jumped I worked hard to close the gap but could not close it

Holly panned me going by - she had 15 laps to experiment with

Sure my hip forces a more upright position but I am racing with much smaller riders - bet none of them were college football defensive lineman

Started too late

 About halfway into the race four elite riders got away and our group - which contained a reigning World Champ - did not close the gap. Guys waited for him to close the gap - when he didn't they didn't want to work as a group to reel in the leaders. Stuff you cannot control. With four guys off the front I hung with the second group and sprinted at the finish. You can see I started too late and did not pass this rider in time - that was the difference between taking third and fourth. I took fourth. Dangit.

Before leaving downtown we passed by a shop who specialized in shrinking people. Thinking ahead to Sunday's return flight I figured we could save a ticket, carry shrunken Holly on board and put her in the overhead. The first part of the plan has worked to perfection - now we'll have to find someone in Salt Lake City to reverse the process.

Holly, my Mom and I drove out to Fort Gordon to drive the road course we'll race on in the morning - it is hilly 16 mile loop that we'll ride twice, it is not lumpy like the time trial - it's hilly like crazy. I will really work hard at maintaining contact with the leaders and using all the uphill practice I got last week on the Ride from Reno. It should be an interesting race.

More to follow tomorrow - thanks again for checking in - hope you like Holly's pictures.

Steve and Holly