Colavita Wisconsin Regional Cycling Team

Friday’s race was an 80 mile pro/1/2 road race with about 100 riders including Ross and me. Temp was 83 F with almost no wind. This was the best weather I have been in for this race and a big change from the WI Cup which seems like wind and/or rain for almost every race this year. We got started relatively easy with a small group getting away early in the race. There was some gravel and broken pavement just before the half way point but we got through that ok. At the feed zone at the half way point things exploded as is usual, but no problems. On the way back through the gravel, I think it was Kenda rider who stood up to accelerate and both feet came out and he hit the top tube hard. This caused a small gap but everyone closed it quickly at about 31 mph. Next we hit the only hill which is a long gradual uphill and I started to feel it in my legs. We got to the turn around and headed back and then I felt better. With about 20 minutes to go in the race the same small group was away but we were closing. We were coming up on a bridge and a rider from Madison moved over right in front of Ross who was on the left. I thought Ross was going into the river for a moment but he did a nice save and good thing as I was about 2 riders behind him.

Just before the sprint two Texas Roadhouse riders started to move up and I was right behind them but shortly after that we caught the break right as the sprint started and things really bunched up gutter to gutter. It was 35mph into the stretch with Ross coming in 37th and I was 56th.

Saturday morning I was having breakfast at the hotel and I turned around and I saw Steve Tilford. He had waffles with lots of syrup. I think Steve must hold a record for most races done in Iowa. Anyway I did the masters for Snake Alley. Two years ago when I did this it was pouring rain and today was hot with sun so a big change. I did get my name called and I managed to finish and that is about all I can do on the Snake.

After, I had a funnel cake and read the local newspaper which always covers the bike race and is usually on the front page of the paper and the front page of the sports section. A Colavita rider won the 3/4 race on Friday and the paper had a big picture of him so that was pretty cool. I think he was from Kansas City. The local TV news and KBUR radio covers the races so it’s always exciting to be in Iowa for Memorial Day weekend.

Matt