Snake Alley Crit Report

 

Snake Alley -

Basically, launched off the line from the start and led the first two or three laps, perfectly according to plan, because after that the race becomes more about fitness and technique, and less about some of the mishaps, like getting behind a wreck or dropped chain going up the snake. 

I really couldn't believe the gap that I had at the beginning of the race, seemed like I was dreaming.  I decided to wake up from the dream, and deal with the reality that I might have toasted myself as the field regrouped and about 8 to 10 of us worked our way through the course in a break of sorts.  This is a race of attrition as the heat and relentless pain that pedalling up the Snake Alley causes eventually whittles everyone down.  Toward the end of the race, though, I was still in the front group.

As we started to catch lapped riders things got confusing.  A fifteen year old kid from Wisconsin named Jordan Cullen slipped off the front as a group of three of us became the remnants of the chase. The confusion actually may have helped us, as those behind us may not have been clear regarding the gap.

The three of us sprinted to the line, and I came in for fourth overall.  I was in the red zone to the extent that I started to head to the medical tent to see if I could get an IV.  This overwhelming feeling subsided as I rehydrated, and could enjoy a successful day in Burlington. Great race, well organized and congrats to the field that braved this tough course.