:: seanlangford ::

Had an unfortunate mechanical failure just after the start of the 20th annual "Working man’s stage race" in Amesbury.  My freewheel lockring jumped a few threads when I loaded it on the first climb.  Weird.  Wierder still is the that it immediately began to bind against the frame to the point where it became difficult to pedal; feeling like my back brake was stuck on.  I raised my arm and wheeled out the back and onto someone’s lawn where I took the wheel out and tried to see if I could remedy.  No dice.  Ugh.  Bad luck for the CCB 4s in general tonight as PP crashed on the last lap just before the climb and DM flatted on the back stretch.  Tomorrow night stage three; the racetrack under the lights.

The Fitchberg race was a great time. What a thrill to race with strongmen Andrew Durham and Phil Porter. The TT was early on Thursday and the new course this year was tough. More climbing than the previous route and some strong headwinds at the finish. The circuit race was fast but safe and fun; Phil got an incredible 3rd place on the final sprint up the hill. The Road stage was grueling and I pretty much cracked near the end of the third lap. It was great having JL and AG there to provide moral and feedzone support. JL did pretty well for her first time in this role, unfortunately a thirsty competitor snatched my feed on the second lap. Here is a photo of the perpetrator caught red handed. He should know better than taking a CCB waterbottle; I mean, look at our incredible surveillance system in action! Here also is a snap of the last day. Phil got 3rd again in the final sprint at the Criterium putting him 6th overall. In the end it was a great race.