Recumbent Laps Field at USCF Bike Race
Well, where to start.
Last week I bought the WISIL Missile lowracer (full suspension) along with its two full fairings. I rode it a few times to get used to it and just went and did a race on it today. I’m not in good shape, riding 10-20 miles every now and then on my other bent or my upright.
So there was a local crit today. The off race.
Everyone else was in Iowa. So they combined Cats for 10 big riders (3,4,5,vets,lady), two teams nicely represented. 45 mins plus 2 laps.
$150, 3 primes. The official let me ride since I’ve raced around here (years ago). I told him I’d stay away from everybody.
I had no idea if I could hang with them or beat them or what (no battery in speedo). So I stayed off the back until the first prime flyer went away at 25 mins in, then I jumped the field and the prime guy. So I rode solo awhile, then asked the official how I was doing. He said I was gaining on em. New energy! At 3 mins to go I lapped em and went on by again. The field sprinted for the $.
Now, even tho I told em I wouldn’t interfere, of course no one likes to be passed, so when I first went and went thru again everyone swarmed me. I had a number on. I don’t think they wanted to be passed.
I might’ve averaged 26mph. They averaged 24mph one guy said.
Two mile course.
I’ve never before heard of an unfaired recumbent beating a USCF field much less lapping them.
I’ll have to find an official who’ll let me race for the prize.
I’ve heard quite a few say they’ll let bents in TT’s. And even some allow em in crits. Well, we’ll see. It was fun.
