While The Rest of the Country Sleeps...

The SoCal scene fields 130 guys in 80 degree February heat. Mon Dieu.

Sunday was the Roger Milikan Criterium. The funnest crit course around. The speeds are ridiculous because there is a slight rise before the finish. The group blasts down the descent, then guys attack the hill even faster and the speed just stays high. Really superweek-like....they were even selling brats near registration! A nice vibe throughout -the good weather makes everything swell and nice. Side note: My chain was dry, so in the pre-race rush I asked the neutral support guy from Jax Bike Shop if he could lube it up...he did...then offered to give me the full bottle. Top move, guy. I didn't take/need it, but it's worth noting a small act of kindness. Anyhow. I rode to the race with a couple guys from pasadena. It was a long and eventful ride over (2 hrs, broken spoke, crash...), but we finally got there. The unique part of this race's algorithm is the neopolitan shake I had from In-n-Out 20 mins before the race. Went down perfect. And with that, we start:

Field limit 120, announced field of 125. Lots, but realize that the number is misleading. I won't get into details, but it should suffice to say that "not all 125 riding had a realistic chance of winning/placing"... It was nice seeing lots of people I hadn't seen in more than a year. Again, good vibe throughout. Toyota United sent a small squad, as did Health Net (1), Jelly Belly, and scores of SoCal scene fluff (me included). The race started and ended at the same speed: fast. But not necessarily difficult. With that many guys racing that quick, it's like riding on the back of a big-rig at just the right speed for however long you want. I kept it conservative and saw the wind only a few times. Hmm. Anyhow, being mid-pack in this 30mph vortex means I don't have much to report. 5 laps to go, a break of 5 was off. R*ck was the only team with a full complement of riders, and they chased. The chase was weak, but the break started to play games and totally fell apart on the last lap. They got caught with 2 corners to go, and Rahsaan won it from Paul Che. I had great legs, but didn't have the motivation to mess with the leadouts going on, and followed wheels to finish 12th -the last $ spot. Rode the 35 miles back home, and here we are.

Also...the "unattached" game might be coming to an end soon. Will give word if anything transpires.