Early Spring in Western Washington isn't always warm or dry. When my race team, Fell Swoop, announced they were attending the Tour de Bloom stage race in Wenatchee and renting a house, I thought a long weekend under sunny skies didn't sound too bad. Originally I planned to attend as a spectator, enjoy the weather and camaraderie, and leave the racing to the more serious roadies. But the inclusion of a 50+ cat 3/4/5 field seemed to offer a great vehicle for me to dabble my toes in proper road racing.
Tour de Bloom included four stages over three days. Road race stages one and four book ended the time trial and criterium. Racing at Pacific Raceways, known properly as a Circuit Race, prepared me for the basics. Yet there was plenty left to learn. In the week leading up to the event I was feeling the nerves.
Adam suggested, as a tool to manage my apprehensions, to pencil down some process goals for each stage. He intended that I channel energy into creating and accomplishing some stage specific goals as a way to manage my overall level of nervousness. In the week leading up to the event I chose two or three goals for each stage and put then down to paper.
The road trip to Wenatchee would also serve as an additional test for my Westfalia Vanagon. No land speed records were broken on Friday's drive. But my vintage van did survive a number of climbs including the final twisting ascent to Waterville.
Stage One - Waterville Road Race - 29 miles
One factor in choosing the Tour de Bloom as my first road racing event was the moderate distances that the 50+ 3/4/5 field would cover. Twenty nine miles seemed about right for getting a taste of open road racing. The course was through rolling fields with no significant climbs. The first twenty miles was a loop to the North of Waterville that returned us to town where we started an additional loop of nine miles that lay to the South.
The forecast included a decent chance of rain and temperatures of about 50 degrees. Choosing the right number of layers just added an additional level of apprehension as I prepared for the start. Talking to my teammate Jonas did nothing to calm me. He raced earlier, got soaked, and didn't remember being so cold on the bike.
Our field of 50+ 3/4/5 had nineteen starters. Five of which were Fell Swoopers. We were combined with the 60+ field for a starting peleton of about 35 riders. As we chatted before the start Z-dog warned of the possibilities of a strong crosswind section at about one quarter distance.
The race started easy as we headed East out of town. I spent the first ten minutes working on two of my process goals. I wanted to get comfortable racing within the confines of the center line rule. I also wanted to observe the general etiquette when riders moved about in the peleton. These goals kept my mind busy until we turned North and into the anticipated crosswind sections.
But there was no wind. It might have been the calmest I've seen in Eastern Washington. However, the chance to work would soon be on offer.
A series of rolling climbs were enough to split the field. As the efforts started to ramp up I was hanging in good position and felt I could crest with the lead group. But it was not to be.
After a few miles of shuffling the groups were solidified. William Dejarlais, aka 'DJ', went off the front with a rider from the 60+ group. A chase group of three including Fell Swooper Jude was second on the road. Matt and I were in the second chase group of about ten riders. The rolling climb was enough that the remainder of the peleton was broken into pieces.
Knowing that teammate Jude was up the road in good position made for a strategically simple race for Matt and I. We needed only to cover any and all bridge attempts.
A rotating cast of four strong riders worked at the front over the next twenty miles. They put in strong pulls. I did not. Sometimes they wanted to rotate at the front but it seemed like I was too often on the wrong wheel and inadvertently disrupted the rotation. As needed I followed closely when it looked like an effort was being laid down.
As we started the nine mile loop South of town we caught a glimpse of Jude's group of three. We were slowly closing the gap and I was concerned they might be caught. When we were just a couple miles out from the finish I felt confident Jude's group would stay away. Matt and I had a quick meeting. He offered to lead me out at the finish. When Matt dropped me off I did my best and sprinted to second from our group for sixth. This was a surprisingly good result and I was elated and thankful for Matt's effort.
On General Classification time Strongman DJ was two minutes ahead of second place. The three man chase group came in together putting our man Jude third on GC and best of the Swoopers. He graciously accepted his nomination as team leader.
It wasn't until the racing was done that I realized I half failed on process goal three: Have fun. Pre-race I was a mess. But in the moment, during the race, working for my team, I had a blast. I found it most rewarding to dig in, follow a hard effort, wait for the shoulder check, and then see those shoulders slump with the realization that Fell Swoop was still one the wheel.
Stage Two - Malaga Time Trial - 9.5 miles
The downtime before Saturday's Malaga Time Trial was most enjoyable. The team was able to gather at the rental house for dinner and stories and camaraderie. Jonas prepared pasta. Jason shared stew and cornbread. Both were delicious I ate much too much. These hours were the draw for me when I planned to attend as just a spectator and I savored them past my intended bed time.
I felt no need to put a large effort into the TT. Jude's excellent performance in the previous day's road race removed any GC burden from me and I was free to stick to my three process goals: Survey the team for thoughts on how to choose an effort level, arrive at a sub threshold wattage target, and then hit it.
With no GC ambitions my TT was anticlamatic. Most of the team I surveyed talked about the balance of maintaining some reserve for the afternoon's criterium while still optimizing TT time. I chose a low 275 watt target against my FTP of about 300 watts. I hoped to average 270 on the outbound downwind leg and then bump up to 280 on the return leg.
My warmup was uneventful and before long I was sprinting out of the starting tent.
My outbound leg was uneventful. I caught no other riders but a number of them blew past me. I watched the motoref wheel his BMW into a too-close-for-my-comfort U-turn. The course turn around was a single cone placed on the center line.
My return leg was a different animal. The motoref rode my wheel for a few minutes. Maybe he was admiring Mikes vintage Calfee. The wind, now taken on the nose, slowed me substantially. I was able to hold my preferred TT position most of the time and I was getting better at holding steady power. Jude passed me and I yelled encouragements that all included the word 'team'.
When results were posted we learned DJ crushed it putting more seconds between him and the three or four riders in contention for second on GC. Jude solidified his role as team leader with a solid TT effort of fourth that kept him in the hunt for a GC podium.
Only a single rider finished slower than me which cemented my role as domestique. My ability to hit my power targets improved as I rode. From 261 against a target of 270 in the outbound leg to 278 against a target of 280 on the return. The best reward for my effort was waiting form me back at the team house. A Subway sandwich and a couple hours of relaxation.
Stage Three - Downtown Criterium - 30 minutes
Leading up to the criterium I knew a nerve storm was on the horizon. I took sixty minutes away from the hustle and bustle of team activity and closed my eyes for a little nap in the back of the van. When I woke it was full steam ahead.
Process goals for the criterium were primarily focused on safety and experience. I wanted to spend time near the front where I expected to be surrounded by decent bike handlers. I wanted to observe the level of aggression into the corners and protect myself from inside moves. I wanted to take a lap at the front or in a break.
My pre race recon started with surveying the team. It was important to me to understand some of the standard procedures in a crit before I was standing on the line. Jason, Z-Dog, and Jonas patiently answered my questions about how to pull off, what to do if I flat, when to expect to be pulled, etc. When we arrived at the venue I was able to calm myself with duties such as schlepping gear to the team tent and getting my kit in order.
The Wenatchee Downtown Criterium was, thankfully, a simple four corner layout. At the end of the start/finish straight we turned left onto a short hill. The next left put us on the flat and gusty back straight. After corner three we descended down the brick paved Orondo Avenue and into fast corner four. The streets were wide, clean, and mostly smooth.
Corner four gave me pause. I took a bunch of practice laps so I could come to terms with it. I was the last rider to take a practice lap and felt that I knew that corner well enough.
Minutes before we started Z-Dog came up and gave me a hearty pat on the back. He knew I was freaking out on the inside. I could not have made it this far without him and I told him so.
The start whistle took me by surprise. I was able to get moving and clipped in quick enough. The field strung out for a couple laps and I just held the wheel in front of me. For the first five laps or so I stayed out of trouble and came to terms with the downhill corner four. I was pleased to observe everyone around me was predictable and free of unnecessary risk taking.
After a few laps I put my racing hat on and got to work. I knew that in a crit if you aren't moving up you are moving back. I found comfort in corners three and four. I often gained one position by setting up on the inside of corner three and making the pass entering four. I also found that the peleton would occasionally ease up approaching corner one. A few extra pedal strokes at the end of the start finish straight earned back up to five positions. By the end of the race I found I could maintain a position in the top ten without too much work.
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Jude and Dwaine flying the Fell Swoop colors midway through the criterium. Photo courtesy Mark Alan.
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What I wasn't doing was racing to win. At the pointy end strong riders were pushing the pace on the prime laps while I hung on. One of my most rewarding moments was during the run into a prime. I was fifth wheel and had no ambitions for the prime sprint. The rider behind me, GC leader DJ, followed me down the hill. He did have ambitions and I could hear him coaching and praying 'no brakes' as we approached the fast corner four. He didn't know I hadn't touched brakes for that corner all day. I stuck the corner, emerged tight on the rider in fourth, and DJ was free to rocket up the inside towards yet another prime.
The race wasn't easy. I averaged 297 watts. But it wasn't so hard I stopped thinking. As we took the last lap bell I sidled up to Jude, gave him a look, and pedaled forward. He got on my wheel and I went to work moving him up. We climbed for the final time taking back a position or two. On the back straight I metered my effort to get us moving up the inside checking my shoulder to make sure he was still on. Halfway down the back straight I made a poor choice and got myself boxed in. I had to let off the pedals and Jude had no choice but to switch to a better wheel. Damn! Mission failed.
Fortunately Jude was able to work his way forward and bring home a 3rd maintaining his chances for a GC podium. I was scored 8th. Eleven 50+ racers remained in the lead pack.
The feelings of relief were evident on my face. The team was there to congratulate me for finishing my first crit. And tell me I did OK for a newbie. After taking a few minutes to savor the moment I changed clothes and retrieved my recovery food. I found a seat in the sun and jotted down a few notes for this race recap. Then Z-dog informed me he had something for me. I expected a critique of my crit performance or nugget of crit knowledge. Instead he slipped an ice cold Bodhizafa IPA out out his bag and into my hand. This made my day. Thanks Z-Dog.
With the peak stress of the weekend behind me I was able to relax and enjoy the remainder of the criterium. We cheered for fellow Fell Swoopers who rode in later races. We had a quick bite at a pub just uphill from that fast corner four. We marveled at just how fast some of the elite riders sped by. And we felt the descent of a noticeable chill in the air. With the help of many hands we disassembled the team tent and headed back to the rental house for more story telling and some well earned rest.
Stage Four - Plain Road Race - 50 miles
Sunday morning dawned cool and dry and filled with surprises. Jonas was up early to catch his nine something start time. The rest of us had a leisurely morning. We sipped on coffee, watched the final kilometers of a stage of the Giro, and slowly tidied up the rental house. We also discussed some race tactics.
We determined DJ was uncatchable. The next four riders were all within a minute on GC including Jude. Our plan was to control the race, protect Jude, and let his legs do some talking on the final climb to the finish line. These team tactics trumped some of my process goals. The one goal that was still relevant was to attempt to assess the strengths and ambitions of other riders in real time.
My vintage Vanagon gave us a bit of a scare as we were about to get under way. The alternator light was flickering. This could not be ignored. I asked the guys to wait until I knew more. As soon as I opened the engine compartment Jason miraculously spotted a loose connector. I was able to snug it up and the problem was solved.
When the Vanagon arrived in the tiny community of Plain another surprise was revealed. Falling snow. Snow did not correlate to the forecast for 50 degrees and a 20% chance of precipitation. I added more layers. After warming up I went back to the van and added another.
The course was mostly flat except for the hill climb finish. It consisted of two laps over a 25 mile course. The course had a small rise just a few miles into the lap. We contemplated that the field might split on that first rise and prepared ourselves for an early effort.
We started with just 25 riders, fifteen from the 50+ field and just ten from the 60+ field. A top five contender in the 50+ field had retired so Jude faced just two other riders that were close enough for a GC podium.
The first climb was taken at a moderate pace and the field stayed together.
For the next 45 minutes the pace was up and down but never hard enough to crack the field. There was tension in the peleton. It seemed to me that DJ was itching to put out some watts. Every smart rider knew getting into a break with DJ was a ticket to the GC podium. Smart riders also knew any break without Jude would feel the weight of five Fell Swoop jerseys pulling it back.
At about the twenty mile mark Z-Dog pulled a feather out of his cap. The pace was slow and he broke out of the field. I heard someone say 'Yeah Z'. I smiled. Then a voice said 'let him go'. No one reacted. Until someone did. DJ launched out of the pack and bridged up to Z-Dog. They rode away. All the Swoopers knew the deal was done. By drawing DJ out of the peleton Z-Dog virtually guaranteed there would be no more serious break attempts. The pace steadied and Fell Swoop took control of the peleton.
At the start of the second lap the peleton passed Z-Dog on the small climb. Each Swooper thanked him on the way by. He had burnt a bunch of matches helping DJ get away. Z-Dog was exhausted and frozen and retired not long after.
The weather started to catch up with me on the second lap. The snow and hail flurries continued on and off. When the road was wet my face endured a shower of road water spray. I was dressed for a dryish 45 degree day on a wettish 40 degree day. When the pace was slow I could feel the ice water creeping in. Each surge of speed slightly warmed my insides but it was never enough to completely push back the chill.
Fell Swoop continued to control the peleton. Sunday continued to offer surprises.
At about seven miles to go we were dealt a hay maker. The follow car pulled alongside to inform the peleton that the race would finish on the flats without the hill climb finish. There would be no chance for Jude to out climb his rivals. Darn.
We still had four Swoopers and we re-organized for a lead out and sprint finish. We did not know the location of the finish line. As we neared Plain I warned 'we are running out of runway' and we started to assemble our train. Matt would light the fire, I would follow, and Jude would finish it.
There was no '1 kilometer to go' sign. The pace started to quicken as we passed through Plain. The highway bent left but we were directed straight and onto Camp 12 road. It didn't stay straight all that far and we pulled the trigger without knowing where the line was. Dutton pulled hard all the way to the first bend and I took over. The road pitched up and I was spent within fifteen seconds. Riders started coming around me. Then we heard yelling and a car horn and more yelling from behind.
We had passed the finish line some time earlier and didn't know it. I was deflated. I felt that the Fell Swoop team did everything in it's power to put Jude on the podium. I felt like our moment to shine was stolen. I shared my sentiments with my teammates.
The final stage didn't end as planned. All finishers in the peleton were given equal time and Jude retained third on GC. I wobbled and shivered back to the Vanagon happy to be out of the wind and out of my soaked kit. I said my goodbyes and was behind the wheel heading home and eating left over pizza within the hour.
Sunday's final surprise was positive. When I arrived at home I learned that the promoter did have a finish line. The promoter did award finish positions for the stage. While I may never know where that finish line was, my aggressive positioning landed me a third for the stage. And my first USA Cycling upgrade points. Jude sent me a message that he had picked up my podium prize: a six pack of beer. And Jonas, whom I will quote, sent "Nice job getting an accidental 3rd!" It was a crazy cap to a busy weekend of racing.
Epilogue
It took me 48 hours to decompress from an overwhelming weekend of racing. I participated in three new-to-me disciplines. I learned more about myself as a bike racer. I spent time with the team. I survived my first criterium.
My most impactful take away is that I am now an 'amateur bicycle road racer'. Four stages over three days and three disciplines means I'm no longer just a dirt racer looking in. I'm bonafide. Even if only in my own mind's eye.
The best part of the weekend was being accepted into the team. Gone are the feelings of being 'that gravel guy'. We shared a house. We shared the work. We shared the fun. My legs worked well on the road and that was because of the help I received from my teammates going into all four events. A few shout-outs:
Matt - I parked next to Matt before the first road race. I was freaking out inside and he gave me the gentle guidance and assurance I needed to unrev my stress motor. He also had the generosity to lead me out for my first ever top ten.
Jason - Quiet, calm, collected. I was taking cues from my teammates. Jason's mellow demeanor reminded me in real time that we are racing for fun not paychecks. Plus... he troubleshot the Vanagon charging system issue in under thirty seconds!
Jonas - He cooked for everyone. He shared thoughts on nutrition. He offered to help me with details of my training. And he reminded me before every event that I would be OK.
Z-Dog - His favorite discipline is the criterium and I leaned heavily on him for crit guidance. He gave me everything I needed and more to get me there, get me through, and keep me out of trouble. And, of course, that cold beer.
Jude - Despite his modesty Jude knows a thing or two about bike racing. His wisdom was appreciated. It boosted my confidence by no small amount when he trusted me enough to take my wheel when it mattered.
I'm proud to have ridden as a member of Fell Swoop. I'm proud we participated in Tour de Bloom as a team. I'm proud that we donned the Fell Swoop kit and demonstrated teamwork on the road. Did we win on GC? No. Did we have fun? Yes. Did we make a positive impression? Fer Sure.
