Biopark Criterium Race Report (JJ)

by JJ Schmidt

​When I first got to the crit course I was pretty nervous, but once I found the rest of the team my nerves eased a bit. It was an awesome feeling to be part of a team, the whole setup was awesome! The tents really came in handy in the rain. After warming up in the rain ( I forgot my trainer) my family showed up (good thing they did because I had locked my keys in the car). Then the team went to the starting area. They were running a little behind, but then we took a lap around the track to see where all the water was, then lined up at the starting line. As soon as we started I tried to do what Buzz said and not worry about clipping in, but it was no use I had a heck of a time clipping in.

Once I got going, somebody went down almost immediately at the second turn, and when I got to the third turn I wanted to take it smoothly but the whole pack was slowing, and I had nowhere to go, so I slowed down then sprinted to catch up. I went around like that a couple of times before deciding to fall back a bit at the corners and not waste my energy. I got in with a smaller group and stuck with them. At one point it appeared that the guy pulling our little pack was tired of pulling and slowed down, nobody stepped up including me and we ended up getting pulled about half way through. I was so disappointed with myself for not leaving everything out there, and will have to do a better job of keeping my eye on the pack. My first goal was not to crash and I achieved that goal. My second goal was to finish and I failed, but it was an awesome experience and hopefully I can learn from it. Overall it was great being a part of the team, something I haven't felt in many years. I hope to have many more races with you guys!