The 2009 SoCal District Championships were at the deluxe Home Deport Center Velodrome in Carson, CA. on June 13-14. I signed up for the 40-44 kilo and the 40-44 sprints. My focus for the event was the kilo. I trained for it and it worked out ok, not as good as I hoped but I did set a PR at 1:17:36. That was good for 6th out of 8. The winner rode a 1:10:00 – yeah, he was hauling. In the sprint qualifier I rode a 12.65 flying 200. I was a little off – that was the first time I rode a flying 200 on that track. I should have gotten a little more aggressive on the gearing. In any case, I got beat in the 1st round by a guy that was just as fast as I was. I stuck with my strategy of trying to ride from the back and do a sneak attack. As I readied for the launch I watch my opponent carefully. With 250 to go I was ready to attack. We went through 1 and exited 2. My plan was to launch as soon as he turned his head away from looking at me. Sure enough as soon as he turned his head I hit it and he did too! Crap stick! I went all out in an attempt to get around him and I got up next to him slightly by the finish line. Grrr. Next time things will be different.
Up next…CYCLOCROSS!!!
The SoCal Masters Championships are coming up in June. I’ve been working like a dog at the kilo. It’s just a brutal event. Last year my best time was a 1:18 and with some focused training this year I am hoping to get below 1:15. If anyone wants to feel the pain come on out to the Encino Velodrome on Wednesdays for opening training. Track experience is required.