Hillsboro

This is still the hardest race of the season, but also the best.

Race stared much slower than last year, so I spent most of the first lap towards the front, the pace picked up several time and riders started to pop off the back. The first time up the hills into town and over the cobbles the group split into two. Later in the second lap it split again in the cross winds and I was able to stay with the small group. Into town I knew the race would detonate on the climbs and cobbles so I made sure I was near the front. Up the climbs the group accelerated and I crested with the top 5 or so. down into the cobbles at 40+ I was in a really good position when my rear wheel exploded. I was able to stay upright going into the turn as my rear brake locked up due to the rim expansion. The tire (Vittoria tubular) never went flat. So my day ended early, but I was safe and unhurt so all was well. Too bad though because I was on a GOOD day and was able to stay with the leaders through all the hills, wind, and constant accelerations. I was ready this year will do it again next year.

A bit about the wind which was out of the south east at 20mph with gust of 30. With over 20 turns each lap it is impossible to stay out of it. One minute its a head wind then you turn into a crosswind , the repeat over and over again..




Doug

The Hillsboro Roubaix Experience

Since Pat started the comments about the race, I will lend my overall impressions this having been my first Hillsboro Roubaix event. Here are my summary thoughts about the event for those that may be considering it in the future:

1. It's a long drive. Although it is all highway 3 and1/2 hours is still a hike. Having said that, I tend to follow the rule of "driving time should be < or = to racing time". If you ride the 66 mile race, this is pretty close. Better than driving 90 minutes for a 40 min crit.

2. It is very well organized. Check in, timing chips, parking, marshals on the course were very well done.

3. Doing a race like this early in the year is REALLY tough. Unless you have a lot of outside or computrainer miles under your belt, do not expect to be competitive. I understand the relation to the spring classics but for those of use from colder climates I wish this race was later in the year.

4. The course was great. Minimal traffic, rollers and a few stiff climbs with flat open wind areas. The cobbles are really kind of fun and are only a minor part of the course. One note, I would highly suggest keeping at least one water bottle in your jersey pocket over the cobbles. I lost my full water bottle just after getting it from the feed as I was going over the cobbles at 30mph. Had to ride the second lap on almost no water and it toasted me.

Would I do this race again? I am not sure due to the early season timing ( I am not a big indoor trainer guy) and the long drive time. It is a GREAT training event and it is one of those events I would suggest you try to do at least once in your racing career. I could not though imagine this race with crappy weather. We had a beautiful day with 60 degree temps and sun. One advantage of riding 50+ is that you can usually wait to see the weather for the event and still get in. For 4s and 5s it is a bit of a crapshoot with the weather as you have to register early.

We had a good Tower turnout, with 3 of us in the 50+ and 5 in the 40+. I will leave it up to individual folks to post their comments on the race.

Dr Phil

Hillsboro Roubaix

Hi Everyone-
What a tuff race, I made the mistake of sitting at the front for most of the first lap. This is something BRB has said to me and many others time and time again not to do. I felt great like King Kong, at one point in the first lap I thought of taking a flyer myself. After the first lap I deiced to go back in the middle of the pack were I stayed until mile 35 that’s when I saw him "The Man with the Hammer” I peddled as hard as I could and got away from him. As the pelaton came over a big hill at mile 41 “The Man with the Hammer” jumped out and hit me over the back of the neck and the light went out.

Congrats

It was the nicest thing to see the race unfold with blue and green all over. Doug’s efforts in his small break were remarkable and the bridge accomplished by Pat was brilliant. The taming of the pace by the rest of the team while other courageous attempts to bridge were made is undeniable proof that Tower operates as a proactive team. I have never seen so many happy faces after a race; not as happy for their own performance as for having carried out together a team plan that worked to perfection!

Pascale