I will try one of these this year too! Nice day, abut 75 degrees. The 26 mile race had about 75 people in it. I pulled off to take a quick bathroom break and found myself at the back of the peleton. Because you could not cross the center line, I had a hard time moving up near the front, and when we hit the first big downhill at the Des Moines River Valley, I was stuck behind some slow down-hillers and the leaders put some distance on me going downhill. I worked the hill and found myself about 500 yards behind the lead pack. So I put my head down and speed up to about 29mph to close the gap. I stayed with the leaders until the next big climb in and out of the Des Moines River Valley. This time I lost some momentum going up the hill because a guy dropped his chain in front of me. I did not realize the finish was so close, and I tried to close some of the gap that the leaders put on me up the hill but could not. Ended up about 7th. Then it started to rain pretty good as a storm was moving in. Joining me that day was Mike Shumway. My assessment? It was kinda fun, and I may do it again.
