Unusual day
Today was race #4 of the Pride Inc. CX series in the Alton, IL area. This is a smallish race series, in terms of racer turnout. This year, the participation has been a little better but today was lighter than it has been. Curious. I know the STL area did not that many people attending the USGP in Louisville.
Too bad the turnout was not so good. Gordon Moore Park is fine race location with rolling terrain and some steep uphill if the designers really wanted to build it into the course. Regardless, the day was beautiful and those that didn't race missed a good time.
I had a so-so start and waited in about 10th for the pack to get through the first couple turns. We got onto a straight section and some had already started to let some gaps open. I jumped around several guys and settled in to fifth place. A couple Dogfish kept the pace high at the front. That was fine by me. I could not go any faster than them and was more than happy to get whatever draft was available.
That was the whole race. Dogfish keeping the pace high while I hung tough and took a few short pulls. For a while, the lead group was whittled down to three but a couple guys fought back. With about one lap to go, the pace was lifted for a short time and I got tailed off by maybe twenty feet. It was a gap I could not close. Tantalizingly close, yet too far away. My mind said "push harder". My legs said "Who you talkin' to?"
Slightly disappointing finish but I rode solidly and probably held on to my overall series lead.
So, what was unusual about the day? Not the race. Everything unusual happened around quiet, small-town Columbia, IL, both going to and returning from the race.
In the morning, as I neared Rte 3 in Columbia, there was a yellow minivan pulled onto the shoulder with it's flashers on. That's not so weird, but as I passed, I saw something I had never seen before. About 15 ft off the road, sitting on his knees in the grass, was guy praying toward Mecca.
As I passed Columbia on the way home, I looked over to the Levee Rd. The Levee Rd. has about 10 cars an hour pass any one particular spot. What I saw was a red pickup with, not one, but two cop cars behind it. I thought it would be odd for a cop to be looking for speeders on a road like Levee. But, to have two cars there seemed really odd. Then, on the JB bridge, were three more emergency vehicles. I don't recall what types. Police and fire, I think, and as I approached Telegraph another fire truck and a paramedic were on their way to the bridge.
I'm wondering if someone jumped. Hope everyone is safe.
Too bad the turnout was not so good. Gordon Moore Park is fine race location with rolling terrain and some steep uphill if the designers really wanted to build it into the course. Regardless, the day was beautiful and those that didn't race missed a good time.
I had a so-so start and waited in about 10th for the pack to get through the first couple turns. We got onto a straight section and some had already started to let some gaps open. I jumped around several guys and settled in to fifth place. A couple Dogfish kept the pace high at the front. That was fine by me. I could not go any faster than them and was more than happy to get whatever draft was available.
That was the whole race. Dogfish keeping the pace high while I hung tough and took a few short pulls. For a while, the lead group was whittled down to three but a couple guys fought back. With about one lap to go, the pace was lifted for a short time and I got tailed off by maybe twenty feet. It was a gap I could not close. Tantalizingly close, yet too far away. My mind said "push harder". My legs said "Who you talkin' to?"
Slightly disappointing finish but I rode solidly and probably held on to my overall series lead.
So, what was unusual about the day? Not the race. Everything unusual happened around quiet, small-town Columbia, IL, both going to and returning from the race.
In the morning, as I neared Rte 3 in Columbia, there was a yellow minivan pulled onto the shoulder with it's flashers on. That's not so weird, but as I passed, I saw something I had never seen before. About 15 ft off the road, sitting on his knees in the grass, was guy praying toward Mecca.
As I passed Columbia on the way home, I looked over to the Levee Rd. The Levee Rd. has about 10 cars an hour pass any one particular spot. What I saw was a red pickup with, not one, but two cop cars behind it. I thought it would be odd for a cop to be looking for speeders on a road like Levee. But, to have two cars there seemed really odd. Then, on the JB bridge, were three more emergency vehicles. I don't recall what types. Police and fire, I think, and as I approached Telegraph another fire truck and a paramedic were on their way to the bridge.
I'm wondering if someone jumped. Hope everyone is safe.
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