Avondale Criterium Race Report (Gary)

by Gary Schobel

We had a great time this year at the Avondale crit. Christina and I went up a day ahead of the team to scout out the course and the place to set up our IC3 team tents. Just getting there driving around the course started to build the excitement for me. I couldn't wait to chat it up with the rest of my teammates and how everything look like up there. My wife and I had grabbed a hotel close by making it quick and easy for us to start the setup Sunday morning.

Gary leading the way in the 4/5's

As the team began to show up and setup was completed the team began to warm up. I found myself taking a minute to step back and just soak it in. IC3 was a real team, a race team! As Buzz laid out the plans for each racer, I found myself feeling so blessed to be there and to be a part of this team. The encouragement and camaraderie was awesome. I had only raced in one other crit race and it was just about a year ago. So I was still a little nervous about the closeness and speed that we would be racing at. During the first race I bumped tires with one of the other racers but managed to stay up. As if I wasn't nervous already, at that time the nervousness almost became a reality. The plans that Buzz laid out during the warm up was for me too execute two attacks and for Michael to lead me out of the win. I've got a lot to work on, because when they blew that whistle to start I forgot everything. It was just go go go! I did get the opportunity to lead a couple of times. That felt great!

Gary putting in some work at the front

​I need to work with my teammates more and I'm sure the results could have even been better. In the second race there were 3 crashes. I barely skated by the second crash, skidding around the bikes and bumping into another racer. But once again I felt the hand of the Lord's protection around me. Another highlight for me was being able to invite Kyle, Evan, and Ryan as well as their families over to our tents to hang out with us. IC3 may not have made it to the podium but it sure did feel like a winning day to me. I'm thankful for the great weather, the safety for all my teammates and friends, and so grateful to be part of IC3.