Sprints with the Hometown Crowd

I don't remember what the last post was about, but i'm sure it had to mention the cold/fever I had. I'll just start off with the good stuff and skip the fluff (however fluff, peanut butter with Nutella would be a triple decker combo of sweet sanwichy goodness).... Headed to CT for the Smashing Pumpkins race. A new set up, wife, infant, stroller and the whole family were in tow. The legs weren't exactly up to snuff after a good 3-day fever, sore throat combo infection and limited sleep. Had my cousin and Todd out on the course taking pictures and heckling me to go on. So with the family on the sidelines, had to give it a good shot, or least a good start.
It was a small group, about 12 in my age class. Talk of some new single track out on the backside of the course was all the talk at the starting line. We line up, the whistle blows, and I just decide to Tree Farm it off the line and rocket (Sprint off the line and make everyone crank to catch up...stretching the field out, breaking the rythym, maybe cracking a few riders). Took off, had a good 5 second gap on the field, the heart rate went up, breakfast came with it and I had to settle down to follow AJ for a bit who caught up but he was on a mission, luckily James and I hooked up and paced eachother for most of the first lap. Good start..! Riding hard on the first 3/4 of the lap..felt ok, not great but I was giving it a good show. Picked up a stick in the rear derailleur, chain started skipping like mad. Just kept riding it out becuase riders were behind me, or at least I thought. Tried motoring back to 2nd wheel but no luck, derailleur and drivetrain were having none of that. Todd and Eric were cheerin' me through the fun sections. Gave it a little extra gas, it always helps. Came through for the 2nd lap, nobody behind me, passed by the folks, having a good time, forgot about that puke feeling I had. I should have known that it wasn't going to get better. Midway through, a guy on a CX bike was drafting me so I tried to dump him, only on the single track but he would be right back up there on the wide flats....he did a few jump and jive moves and was around me on a piece of somewhat technical terrain with log rollers (more like a speed bump, I think todd has a photo of that section, i wasn't keeping it "tight"). I should have taken notes for the CX season becuase this guy was like silk, super smooth. One technical section later the rear tire slid off a root and the bike and I went down. The cleat on the right shoe came loose and I could not get unclipped. Decided it was just quicker to take my foot out of the shoe, remounted the bike only to find the rear wheel out of true as well. It was cocked over to one side and the brakes were rubbing, had to disconnect the rear brake. A bunch of 40-49 yr old passed by while I sorted that out. Didn't want to give up. When you fall, you can either get up and ride hard and pissed or allow it shake you off your rythym and kill your motivation. I did a little of both. Rode the last mile out and finished a respectable 3rd. 54 minutes or there abouts I think. Pictures will follow, maybe a video, it was a great race despite the mechanicals. it was good to have the family, grandparents, wife / son, todd, etc. It was a good race. No more beginner, next season...Sport, a whole new level of finishing last! As Coach-G says...Keep it Tight Roadie.