Tuesday Evening Recap - The Wrench Turns The Screws
The calendar says it should be fall, but there was no relief in sight for those who braved the 93 degree temperature on the Tuesday evening ride. As the sun continues to set earlier each evening, the value of crit points becomes even more important if one wants to be crowned the 2007 CCC Summer Crit Champion. The feisty peloton rolled out of the Crownover parking lot and immediately turned into the south wind, which was blowing at 18mph and gusting to 23mph. The group headed over I-35 and rolled at 22mph down Corinth Parkway with everyone still together. Hollywood (Roland) came to the front as the group turned left onto Shady Shores Road and flew north across Dead Man’s Slough at 25mph. The Yellow Train meandered through Cielo Ranch as the Boss came to the front and lead the boys down Garza Lane. The Duke took it from there and powered up Cowpattie Hill at 25mph as the elastic began to stretch in anticipation of the Col de Shady Shores. The group started at the bottom of the climb all together, but that didn’t last long. Hollywood, Big Rick and the Duke went straight to the front and started to dish some pain. The Duke pulled out his pistol near the top and fired a warning shot into the air as he hammered over the top first with Big Rick and Hollywood just behind. As the group turned onto Shady Shores Road for the second loop, the Wrench went straight to the front and started to turn the screws. The pace was 22mph up a long incline and into a strong crosswind. One by one the elastic began to snap, crackle and pop. The group approached Cowpattie Hill, and only four were left: The Wrench, Big Rick, Hollywood and The Boss. As the group continued to pull away, it was obvious the winner would be one of the four. The group of four turned onto Corinth Parkway and headed towards the finish. The tailwind was a nice respite as the boys gulped their bottles and prepared for battle. With 1 ½ miles left, Hollywood downshifted and launched a vicious attack, headwind and all. The remaining three looked around at each other and watched the former Flying Fajita sail away into the setting sun. How long would they wait to chase? Big Rick, the current points leader, realized he could not afford to let Hollywood get away and decided to ride. Hollywood had a gap of 30 yards and looked strong. The Boss got straight onto the wheel of Rick, and they quickly hit 28mph. Meanwhile, The Wrench upshifted and called it a night. Big Rick and Scottie were riding but not gaining. Rick pulled off the front, but The Boss refused to work, leaving Rick alone to pull Hollywood back. With the finish less than a mile away, the two chasers were only slowly reeling the escapee back. When it happens, it usually happens suddenly and violently. Tuesday night was no different as Hollywood flopped and hit the wall. The headwind and length of the attack was just too much to overcome. Big Rick closed the gap and then dropped Hollywood with The Boss still on his wheel. What a finish this was going to be. A half mile to the finish and Big Rick was all over his machine as he tried to get rid of Scottie. He was pedaling like a madman as the duo flew down Corinth Parkway. One hundred yards to the line and The Boss was still there in what was promising to be an epic finish. Twenty-five yards to go, and Scottie finally put his nose into the wind as he and Rick began riding side by side. The gladiators continued to dig as the incline continued to rise. The finish line had arrived, and there was no choice now but to engage. Out of the saddle, The Boss threw his bike towards the line. Corinth Parkway has seen several finishes but never one like this. With only inches separating the fronts of their wheels, The Boss nipped Big Rick at the line for the win. A classic finish indeed. Hollywood rolls in 3rd and the Wrench takes pride in his big time effort. Updated CCC Crit Series Standings: Big Rick - 23 points The Boss - 17 points Hollywood - 8 points Dice - 7 points The Cannibal - 6 points Gentle Ben - 3 points Tornado Tom - 3 points Thrasher Tim - 2 points Gramps - 2 points The Wrench - 1 point
The calendar says it should be fall, but there was no relief in sight for those who braved the 93 degree temperature on the Tuesday evening ride. As the sun continues to set earlier each evening, the value of crit points becomes even more important if one wants to be crowned the 2007 CCC Summer Crit Champion. The feisty peloton rolled out of the Crownover parking lot and immediately turned into the south wind, which was blowing at 18mph and gusting to 23mph. The group headed over I-35 and rolled at 22mph down Corinth Parkway with everyone still together. Hollywood (Roland) came to the front as the group turned left onto Shady Shores Road and flew north across Dead Man’s Slough at 25mph. The Yellow Train meandered through Cielo Ranch as the Boss came to the front and lead the boys down Garza Lane. The Duke took it from there and powered up Cowpattie Hill at 25mph as the elastic began to stretch in anticipation of the Col de Shady Shores. The group started at the bottom of the climb all together, but that didn’t last long. Hollywood, Big Rick and the Duke went straight to the front and started to dish some pain. The Duke pulled out his pistol near the top and fired a warning shot into the air as he hammered over the top first with Big Rick and Hollywood just behind. As the group turned onto Shady Shores Road for the second loop, the Wrench went straight to the front and started to turn the screws. The pace was 22mph up a long incline and into a strong crosswind. One by one the elastic began to snap, crackle and pop. The group approached Cowpattie Hill, and only four were left: The Wrench, Big Rick, Hollywood and The Boss. As the group continued to pull away, it was obvious the winner would be one of the four. The group of four turned onto Corinth Parkway and headed towards the finish. The tailwind was a nice respite as the boys gulped their bottles and prepared for battle. With 1 ½ miles left, Hollywood downshifted and launched a vicious attack, headwind and all. The remaining three looked around at each other and watched the former Flying Fajita sail away into the setting sun. How long would they wait to chase? Big Rick, the current points leader, realized he could not afford to let Hollywood get away and decided to ride. Hollywood had a gap of 30 yards and looked strong. The Boss got straight onto the wheel of Rick, and they quickly hit 28mph. Meanwhile, The Wrench upshifted and called it a night. Big Rick and Scottie were riding but not gaining. Rick pulled off the front, but The Boss refused to work, leaving Rick alone to pull Hollywood back. With the finish less than a mile away, the two chasers were only slowly reeling the escapee back. When it happens, it usually happens suddenly and violently. Tuesday night was no different as Hollywood flopped and hit the wall. The headwind and length of the attack was just too much to overcome. Big Rick closed the gap and then dropped Hollywood with The Boss still on his wheel. What a finish this was going to be. A half mile to the finish and Big Rick was all over his machine as he tried to get rid of Scottie. He was pedaling like a madman as the duo flew down Corinth Parkway. One hundred yards to the line and The Boss was still there in what was promising to be an epic finish. Twenty-five yards to go, and Scottie finally put his nose into the wind as he and Rick began riding side by side. The gladiators continued to dig as the incline continued to rise. The finish line had arrived, and there was no choice now but to engage. Out of the saddle, The Boss threw his bike towards the line. Corinth Parkway has seen several finishes but never one like this. With only inches separating the fronts of their wheels, The Boss nipped Big Rick at the line for the win. A classic finish indeed. Hollywood rolls in 3rd and the Wrench takes pride in his big time effort. Updated CCC Crit Series Standings: Big Rick - 23 points The Boss - 17 points Hollywood - 8 points Dice - 7 points The Cannibal - 6 points Gentle Ben - 3 points Tornado Tom - 3 points Thrasher Tim - 2 points Gramps - 2 points The Wrench - 1 point