Second race of the day and it was my first 3/4 mixed field. I mainly wanted to sit in and see how this race would differ from a Cat 4 race. With 94 starters I figured turn 2 would still be the problem part of the course. Same as in the 4’s we would slow down significantly each time we went through it. Other than that the race seemed faster and smoother. It actually turned out to be the same average speed as the Cat 4’s at 26mph. On the back stretch we would consistently tickle 30 mph and going through turn 4 guys would take the turn wide so we could carry our speed. That was really fun. I started off towards the back and after about a half a lap I was up in the middle of the bunch. I pretty much stayed there most of the race. One thing that was different was the noise. With more guys running deep section wheels it was much louder sitting in the middle of the group. About 10 minutes in I watched Erik make his way too the front. He was up there for a lap or so till he got shuffled back. Rey seemed really comfortable out there. I was impressed how he moved around inside the field. Not bad for someone who just is getting back to racing. Need to get that man a kit! The race felt quite safe. About halfway though I heard the crunch of carbon from somewhere in front of me. Ended up being someones front wheel getting munched. Nobody panicked and the bunch just flowed around him as he slowed down. All very civil. Again like the 4’s no team really took control. SJBC had around 20 guys in the field but they didn’t have a good plan. About 3 to go I spotted Erik a few wheels in front of me. I waited for a hole then grabbed his wheel . I figured he would try to move up in the closing laps. I wanted to fight to stay on his wheel. Not with the idea of a leadout but more for experience. Erik really never got an opportunity to move up very far. On the bell lap we were cooking at about 32 mph on the back stretch. I stayed on Erik’s wheel through turn 4. As soon as he got out of the saddle to sprint I jumped off his wheel and drilled it. Well as much as you can drill it from midpack. Crossed the line in 40th place. I had a lot left in the tank at the end so my fitness isn’t terrible. Overall it was great fun and I pretty sure I had a big grin on my face the whole race.
Mike Baxter