VOS 2016
Aggressors:
We had perfect weather but sadly, only 8 65+ guys registered.
I elected to do the TT this year without aero bars because I’m convinced that I am actually a bit faster without them; my body position is 1-2” lower by just laying my forearms on the top of the handlebar. I was please with my effort; I managed to get my HR up as high as 157 and never dropped below 150. In the end I finished 3rd (1s behind my Canadian friend Roy Quade, Dang!), nevertheless, my best finish in a VOS TT. Ken Louder from SLC won it, as usual, beating Roy and me by almost 3 minutes.
The RR is the high point for me in this event. I like the course, which includes a modest hill every lap and features an uphill finish. Ken, Roy, and I all hung with the 55+ leaders for the 1st lap but managed to avoid any pulls. On lap 2 the climb pace was higher and Ken Louder was dropped, and stayed dropped. As the lap 3 climb to the finish began, I moved up to about wheel 5 behind the 55+ contenders with Roy on my wheel. At about 150m to go, the 55+ sprint began and shortly thereafter, Roy came around me. I accelerated and we both had to kind of pick our way thru the ejected 55+ contenders as we went for the line. I thought I might have just nipped Roy at the line, but video frame analysis said otherwise and I finished 2nd.
The Crit on Sunday was fun, but mute; the 65+ podium gc positions were locked in after the RR. The 3 of us hung out at the back of the peloton and just cruised along since nothing was going to change as long as we all finished. I cruised over the line for 3rd in the Crit and ended up 3rd for the gc.
Although I viewed this event as just a training ride to help keep decent base fitness until Summer, I must concede that losing to Roy Quade by a second (or less) is starting to become annoying.
Rick E.
VOS Podium 2016
