Tour of Atlanta

First and for most the GA cup has not changed. They changed the start times , did not have a overall GC for the threes, did not have enough course marshals for the RR and put the wrong address for the start of the RR on the website. Four days and 7 races with no loss of skin or broken bikes. Day one was the TT of 1.24 miles which I got a 10th in the rain. That night a circuit race I waited to long going to the line and pulled out a 24th. Day 2 first circuit race the feel for the group was coming around. There were a couple of teams who were serious about trying to keep it together so attacking and chasing was the way it was going to be. I pulled out a 15th in the first race and 16th that night in the rain. Day 3 The first circuit race 10th and that night was the fastest so far and the group never got organized and it was a weird vibe but pulled out a 16th before the rain. Day four was a 65 mile RR with almost 4000 ft of climbing. I tried bridging across to the break away but the stomach problem I had been fighting since the weekend before at the GA state RR kicked in and the legs were tired. I was back in the pack and on the second time up the climb I could not respond and got gapped. Got over the top and myself and one more went on the chase and I dropped him and could not catch the group. Hooked up with one rider and set tempo to the line picking off several on the way. I should have been in the top 25.This weekend Gafney and Walnut Grove and the next will be headed to Port Royal/Beaufort races. A quick thumbs up to Natan Smith who did the Tour of ATL also. He had his hands full with the pros but was happy with his performance.A quick thanks to Dave Hall for the help. If you want a coach who will shoot you straight he is you man!!! Now I go home and sleep....... .....Robert

Back on Track

Since the Tour de moore I did the Masters and A race at the local track. I was not concerned with the points race just the overall. In the Masters missed first by 18 inches and in the A race got 6th. I went to GA and did the State RR championship and was pushed out coming to the line by some of the wost bike handlers I have seen. I ended up 32nd, never got to open it up and did not go down. The crit the next day had all the good riders and it was fast. Three got up the road, then 2 more and myself and 2 others went after them. We caught the chase group then the field pulled us back. The last 2 laps where all out with everybody attacking. I got the group to pull it together and coming to the line we where racing for 4th. With 200-300 meters to go a guy pulled his foot out hit the guy next to him, they kept it up but caused me to hesitate for a second and I pulled out 8th overall and 6th in the 35+. That would be one place out of the money. Now I rest for a couple of days and the family and I head to the Tour of Atlanta.
Tonight Shawn will be crossing over to the Webelos and we are all excited, he is growing up fast. He is also hanging on the the A/B honor roll and has testing coming up next week. We are keeping our fingers crossed. For now work, rest and prepair for the Tour...........Robert