I Dreamed of Breaking Away

I started pinning a number on my back in 2007.   Soon, I dreamed of really racing.   Even though I spent a couple of years off the back and I was 58 years old,  I often dreamed that I could someday attack, counter, go off the front........ solo.

Had I waited too long in life??  Had my time passed?  I was usually racing much younger guys.....I was not getting younger.  The questions haunted me.

I put effort behind the dream:

*  70+ races
*  20-30 Centuries
*  4 Granfondos in Europe
*  About 80 SCTAC A/B Club races
*  15 Shootouts
*  2 great coaches
*  super team mates
*  2 great training partners
*  thousands of hours of training

Montgomery was my day to realize the dream.   It was 44 miles of hot road racing.  Attacks started immediately.   Bird and I worked together to contain things.......we are like watching a concert.....no talk.........but we make music.

We brought in a solo attempt about 20 miles into the race.  It was earlier than planned but I felt the time was right.  I rode up the left side near the yellow line and just rode away.   Soon the moto told me I had 30 seconds and then later, a minute.   The hills were coming and the next to last was the KOM.   I thought, "If I can make it through these hills......".    As I approached the KOM, the field was coming hard behind.  It was mine but I knew after they would catch me.

I was away for 7 miles and about 18:30 minutes....riding solo at 23 mph.

Absorbed, only 5 riders caught me.  I recovered.  Emboldened, I mounted about 5 more attacks before the sprint.....5th place, 1 KOM, 1-2nd KOM, $35.00 and a smile that still has not gone away.

It is never too late to dream and realize a dream......and man, is it fun!