Avondale Crit #2

Race Date: February 21, 2016
Race Name/Type: Avondale Crit #2/ Criterium
Location: Avondale, AZ (Phoenix area)
Rider: Jo Johnson

A beautiful 75-80 degree sunny day on a 1Km flat circuit in front of the Avondale City Council building on Civic Center Drive.  There is alot of support for
crit circuits out here.  The course is a big horseshoe shape starting about 200 ft from the S/F line which continues until the first 90 degree left onto Coldsprings Dr
for a very short distance than 2 quick lefts to get back onto Civic Center Drive and charge to the line.  This 30 minute race was counterclockwise as opposed to the Crit #1 in the 2 race series which is clockwise.  Surface terrific, wide roads, no problems with the sidewalks.  In fact the last 2 turns could be taken like an oval.  

The group of 9 women were a combination of 2 women racing cat 4 while the rest of the gals were Masters 35+.  Yea, I get to run with the youngsters!  Actually there were 3 of us 50+.  Of course it was a fast start and I was able to hang in with the group moving up and around in the pack.  My goal was to stay with them as long as I could, and see where I came in respect to the other 2 gals closer to my age.  After 4 laps or so I remained steady pace and after a prime which I did not contest, I found myself in the lead as the others caught their breath. I stayed steady and crossed the line leading.  That happened 2 more times later on.  Gee I was feeling good.  With about 10 laps to go the pace finally quickened enough that I fell slightly off but could hold the same relative distance to the lead group.  And I was able to gap the others behind me.  I stayed on pace the remaining laps.  I think there were about 30 laps or so total.  Crossing the finish line, i had a 5 second gap on the remaining riders.  That was a good, FUN race.

Funny line:  From one of my competitors during the race, and a good friend; "You are the oldest one out here, you are not supposed to lead the race!"

Result: 5th ​

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