Marietta Criterium
Summer has really arrived with a venegance in southeatern PA. Seems like just last week we were griping about the cool 50/60 degree days and now were are into the first major 90+ heat wave. I raced the 50+ category at the Historical Marietta Criterium in 85+ heat. Thankfully it was a little overcast for our race. Another excellent race put on Rich Ruoff of Red Rose races. Marietta, Pennsylvania is a small town on banks of the Susquehanna river just west of Lancaster. While the down town has seen better days, it is definitely rebuilding and welcomes the commerce from 200 racers and friends.
The 1 mile course is on well conditioned roads and nearly flat. It consists of 4 wide corners with a slight downhill chicane in the leg leading to the S/F. With only 15 miles for the 50/60 category, the race was fast from the gun. I did well in the first half of the race and stayed in the front half for a while. Second half for the race I drifted into the back of the pack. I lost touch at the sprint wind up and finished 21st. My powertap said we averaged 26.1 mph. Earlier I timed the 1,2,3 field and they were turning 30 mph.
These excellent pictures are thanks to Greg DeVitry. Please visit his photo site at here
Here is picture of me on the first corner
Another picture later in race.
Posted: June 13th, 2005 under Bicycle Racing.