Roanoke Twilight Criterium race recap

This past Saturday was the first Roanoke Twilight Criterium race.  For anyone not familiar with cycling races, a criterium is a categorized, timed event that typically takes place around several city blocks.  It provides an awesome experience for spectators as they get to see riders fly by many times on the same loop sometimes reaching speeds over 30 mph.  Basically, the rider who completes the most laps in a given time period wins that category race.

The turn out was fantastic for the Saturday race and the field I raced in, category 4/5 was full (around 70 people) and very fast.  From the start the race lined out across the rode and going into turn 1 everything was bunched up.  Careful riding was necessary not to bump wheels and wreck in the early stages.  Within only 2-3 laps the field had been split, the strongest riders at the front and others simply not at the front.  I was one of those others on this day.

Not to create any excuses but I have really struggled since coming off of over 15 years playing soccer at a very very competitive level and being used to training around 3 hours per day 5-6 days a week.  I was 6'4" and about 185 in top fitness when playing soccer.  I am now the same height, but roughly 10 lbs heavier.  Not that I feel totally unfit, but just not nearly fit enough at this point to be competitive in quick bike races such as the one Saturday.  My goal is to work on that, eat better, ride more, and get fit enough to ride towards the front of these races.  I know I can do it, it is just putting my mind to it and putting in the effort.

Anyway, needless to say, I was nowhere close to first in this race but I was also not last.  Pictures to come in the near future.  Next race, two weekends away, I will need the support of my daughter and wife to drive me forward on this one and give me more and more strength.