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My 2004 Season Begins - Chris Locke. Team Cowtown

 Saturday – The weekends are a heavy training load for me and this one would be especially hard.   Since my main focus this year is the Nissan Xterra National Championships, I decided to keep to my normal training routine. 

 First off was my long distance run – 10 miles at an easy intensity.   I ran a flat route today so my legs would be in decent shape for today’s criterium.   No problems except for the same pesky dogs that chase me on this route.  Easy stretch.  Enjoy some of my wife’s great cooking and start loading up our bikes.  Plan was for my wife to race in her first road race.  That plan went sour when my son decided he was going to have one of his “special” days. 

 I didn’t want to drive to Lawrence by myself and Jason had already left so I hitched a ride with Mike Turner.  We chatted about our race plan, the season, the team and if we were going to race both the Cat 4/5 & Cat 3/4 classes.  Arrived and was pleasantly surprised that Jim was on time.  Due to the efforts Alta-Sport, KCA, race officials and his great volunteers everything was running smoothly.

 Quickly signed in and helped a few teammates pin on race numbers.  The Cat 4/5 class was still an hour away.  Decided since I had already run this morning I didn’t need a great deal of warm-up.  Road around for a few laps and lined up.  Was happy to see that there was a large field and some new teams.  Race was really not eventful for the most part.  A few teams tried some fancy race tactics, but I new no one was going to make a break.  If they did, the pack was strong enough to bring anyone back. 

 The races – First sprint was not too good for me.  Have done no speed work and got 5^th (which netted me “0” points).  I was going to get some points in the second sprint for sure then my teammate Mike crashed.   Some jackass decided he was going to turn left while everyone else went straight.  There went my lead-out, but I found another one in the form of KSU’s Mark Smelser.  Mark was on today and I was happy I found his wheel.  Tried to come around him at the line but came up a wheel short.  The final sprint was coming up fast and I felt good.  As we rounded the last corner I got boxed in and by the time I came around the sprint for the finish was over….the 3/4 were next so I quickly got a fresh water bottle and Go Fast and was off to help out Ed, Ryan, Jud & Mike.   Since today was just a training day and tomorrow was the big event – Froze Toes, I decided to just race ½ the race and then go on a nice cool down.

 Sunday – No running this morning.  I wanted a good result in the Froze Toes Road Race.  As David Pitt and I arrive at the race site, we were shocked at the number of rider.  293 riders signed up for this classic event.  All the big boys were here for the start of the season.  After a long wait to signup, we went off to warm-up.   This year’s event would not live up to its name – this year it should have be called the Hurricane Classic Road Race.

The racing began at 12:20 sharp.  With a brisk tailwind to start things off the pace was well over 35mph.  David and I were not positioned very well.  I know that has soon as we turned east and got the crosswinds that things were going to breakup.  Over the course of the first 10 miles we steadily worked our way up to the front.  Good thing because riders were dropping off quickly due to the high speeds of the pelton……..

 I know this section of road well because the Show-Me-State Games Road Race is held here every year which I have had great success at.  I gathered up David and instructed him to be ready.  “When we turn right up here we will hit a section of rolling hills and have a tailwind.  Be up front and ready to suffer”.  I was not wrong.  Everyone was tired of the head/cross wind and put the hammer down for the final 10 miles of the race……

 Several teams including Mercury, Big Shark & Dogfish where controlling the pace.  With the wind now at our backs, the pace was extremely fast and at times we were climbing these rollers at 30+ mph.   Breaks were going off all the time and teams were really working well together.  I was able to attach myself to the winning break with 5 miles to go, but in the process lost my only teammate……

 The two St. Louis teams sent a rider each attacking up the road.  I had a decision to make.  Stay with the 3 Mercury boys and hope they will chase down the Big Shark & Dog Fish boys or chase them down myself.  As we made our final right hand turn, I decide to chase them down myself – I can here to win.  The chase (and pain) began.  I had already chased and bridge a dozen gaps up to this point so my legs were dead.  Mental strength was going to be the key today.  Still amazed the pace was this high – especially for a Cat 4 race.  Finally one the Mercury riders came up and helped me.  Just has we bridged the gap the St. Louis boys who had been resting took off – bastards.  I did the best I could but was unable to answer this attack.  I finally sat in and was able to get a couple at the line.  A top 10 finish at an event this large, with this much competition, is a job well done. At least I keep telling myself that….  

All in all, a great weekend to start the year off.   I will be ready for my first “A” race of the year in May for sure.  The plan is to continue to race in the Spring Fling races – will use them as bricks and get a good bike/run workout in.

 Thank you for reading!

 -Chris Locke