Our first team race since BC Superweek 2019 the Red Truck gang was excited to get back to bike racing, and the challenging dykes In Pitt Meadows at Jeremy's Roubiax was just the place to put our legs to the test.
Starting the race we had myself, Al, Alex, Cole, Chris, and Declan. Early on in the race there was a few attacks going here and there, but nothing was really sticking. There were a few crashes and slips on the gravel section, and Al and Chris ended up getting a flat, but the attacks kept coming.
I got in a move with Cole and another rider, but it got brought back, so it was time to attack again. This time I got in a move with Jackson from Tag Cycling and Sam From Mighty Cycling. This move was promising and we all were working well together. The gap stretched out to one and a half minutes and we were gone for the day. Rolling a break all day is no easy task, but for me its my absolute favorite thing to do in a race.
Coming into the final lap Jackson, one of my breakaway companions, cramped up and dropped off so it was just me and Sam. After I took a good pull on the front, Sam attacked me on the gravel section and I just didn’t have it in the legs to stay with him. From then until the finish it was a solo time trial between the two of us.
I could see him about fifteen seconds in front of me for the entire lap, but just couldn’t close the gap. My legs were maxed out and I was starting to pedal squares. I knew, however, that there was a chasing bunch of guys from the main group that was probably not as cracked as me, and were charging for the finish line as well. So I did what I always do, sing in my head songs from the eighties such as Michael Jackson's "Beat It," and yes I did have to beat it... that is the other guys in the race!
So head down and mouth wide open, I drove it the finish as hard as could and settled for second place for the day. For a first race back in such a long time due to the pandemic, I was happy. It was a long, isolated road training and working hard during times when we could not race or even train or hang out with other people.
I'm so happy to be back with the Red Truck gang and see everyone and then go out and crush it on the bike. A huge thank you to the Red Truck staff and all the amazing sponsors for all they do for us, it’s truly an honor to race on this team.