My 1st race as a non-sucking racer.

Ha. My 1st race of the year, Emrick Blvd crit in Bethlehem, PA. 45+ guys pre-reged and another 40 or so signed up day of. Huge group with names I noticed who are really fast. I get there at the reg table and there is Rod of World Cup hammerfest fame. Ex pro. Yippee. I am not anticipating a good result. Well, it'a running a little late but only by 10-15 minutes, so I got a decent enough warm up. Nice thing about crits is you don't have to warm up as much as say, cross. The whistle blows and we're off. A flattish course with 2 90 degree turns and 2 sweepers with a slight incline coming up to the start/finish line. I felt good, staying with the pack, moving with the surges that come when they'd pull in a break. At 1/2 point (12 laps) I'm still with the pack and feeling good. I'm thinking I'll be OK. With about 4 to go we ramp it up to catch a break. Everyone (more or less) is together. I'm still feeling OK. 2 laps to go and we slow a bit, then with 1 to go down goes the hammer. I stayed with the main group and finishesd in the pack. I was not expecting that. Not sure of my placing but it really doesn't matter; I wasn't dfl (or close) and I felt pretty strong. Happy with my 1st race of the year. Nice to see Bill Strickland a former Hupster. Maybe I'm getting my prep for cross right?