The Duke Train

Ryan called me to see if I wanted to join him and Andy McEgan for a ride. "Sure." Thirty minutes later, a veritable squadra of purple-and-gold glad greenhorns, including Ryan, Chris, Andy, Kyle, and Grant, were parked like Harleys at fatboys.

We headed out into the May-like warmth in search of some fast roads. I was only scheduled for a recovery ride, so I kept it tranquil and hopped wheels to keep the group.

Okay, it wasn't the "red train" of Cippolini, but after a few minutes of explaining how to execute a leadout, we gave it a go. The guys of the James Madison University cycling team riding like, well... a team; it was cool. For fun, I played tag along and spectated.
Having ridden with most of the guys, I had an idea of who was suited to early pacing and the flam rouge wind-up. Andy and Grant drove it from 5k out. Good, good. They pulled off on the upwind-side, further speeding up the momentum of the group. They stayed together and apexed the turn, and then, BAM, Ryan was on the front and out of the saddle. Then, ZING, there goes our man, we won the race.

Well, he did go early, but it was quite well executed for a first go. I explained afterward that it is worth it to have a guy sweep your sprinter's wheel and open a gap up when he jumps so that your train doesn't get poached. This sweep needs to sit up and NOT try to follow your sprinter in for 2nd but let a little space open up subtly. Then I imagined Stava, aka Ryan, trying this in a race and taking out half the field in gnarly pile up; and coated my statement the way parents might do by saying "that is only for big time races though."


Andy's cleat came loose so we all made for Mole Hill Bikes, and then I split for home.

Fun to see these guys learn and improve so quickly.

Until next time,

Jeremiah

posted by Jeremiah Bishop  # 9:21 PM 0 comments

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