ERIC 'S ATTEMPT AT RACING 2009

The first race was the Laurel Flyer , a good friend of mine John Majors came up from Pittsburgh to race the Flyer also. The weather was sunny and cool, road conditions were good and this year the course took a different route which made the race more interesting to me, I struggled with the climbing, my legs and lungs didn't want to cooperate with my brain. I still had a good time and look forward to next years race.

Next up were two races in New York, the GIRO of OTISCO LAKE and the Owasco Flyer. The Giro was on Saturday and the Flyer was on Sunday. Jay Heverly and I headed up early in the rain hoping for dry roads. We got there early and warmed up, the road had dried up and the race was on, it started slow and I found myself out front but not for long, the course was mostly flat with some short climbs for about five miles, the back side of the lake was even more flat, an the last three Quarters of a mile was climb that was so steep, well I've never riden anything that steep that long before so I have nothing to compare it to. I was just happy to finish. Jay did well finishing first in his age group. The race fee's went to keeping an old one room school house open for kids to experience, I look forward to this race next year.

After the Giro Jay and I headed off to find our motel and get something to eat, than ready our selfs for sundays race. We woke early sunday to find the sun shining, looked like a good day for a race, which turned out to be the case. We ate and headed over to get ready and warm up and Jared showed up about the same time. The Owasco Flyer is one of my favorite races, it is the larges group of riders I've ever raced with and I like the course, it has a fairly flat start and alot of rolling hills on the back half . Once agian my legs and lungs didn't want to work with my brain and I found myself working my way to the back. I rode there until a tamdem past me and I hooked on and rode with them to the back side of the lake where the climbing starts, at that point the race turned into a ride to the finish. I enjoyed the race even though I didn't do as well as I would have liked,hoping to be in better shape next year.

I know this isn't a race but have to mention it. The OSWALD CENTURY. Once again a nice sunny day and great group of people to ride with,and I think most all would agree with me. The only problems were a couple of flat tires, other than that it was agreat ride.

The Kinzua Classic is another race I really enjoy,and this year was no different. I woke at five to drive over, it was raining and it didn't stop till about half an hour before the start of the race,which left the roads covered with water. The race starts on a hill and once again I watch the lead group ride away and start to wonder why I'm doing this, but as the race goes on I start to catch riders and pass them I begin to feel better and ride harder. On the last climb to the finish I passed some more riders which made my race feel worth while, I was about five minutes slower than last year but better than I thought I would do,there's always next year.

Next up was the Laurel Classic. Jimmy and I decided to ride from home and meet up over on the Shaw road and ride to the race,it was a good plan but my pre race training the night before was not the right move, to many beers and not enough sleep for someone like me who hasn't been riding well made twenty four miles seem more like one hundred miles. The race course was in perfect condition and I enjoyed the ride except for my time. I hope to do better next year and hope I learned my lesson on to many beers the night before.

Milton Harvest Festival 28 mile bike race is another race that I really enjoy. It was the Saturday after the Laurel Classic, I woke up to pouring rain again and headed off to milton. As the race started it was still raining but let up about six miles in, to late everbody was already soaked but still riding hard. The first half I stayed with a group but on the climb up route 54 it broke apart than I rode alone for eight miles into ahead wind when agroup of guys I had been riding with came along and I hook on with them rode with them to the last climb about one mile from the finish where four out of the six took off and I gave everthing I had to hang with them, I caught and one guy at the finish and passed he look surprised than held his hand out and said good race, we both started to laugh. I was three minutes slower than last year but still happy with my ride.

It wasn't a real good year as far as results go but I have to say I enjoyed all my races and looking forward to the IRON CROSS.