Our second week in Boulder has seen the RAK team commence a feeling of normality... whatever that may be over here. I suppose it is a feeling of being able to get on with the job at hand without constant fatigue or gasping for air. As stated in last week’s story, our acclimatisation has been a much easier task than in previous years in Breckenridge. The riders and management are all now able to ride, study, clean and cook. This has also occurred in previous years, however nowhere near as quickly as 2009.
Drapac Porsche rider and veteran to Colorado, Angus Morton, arrived late last week, with Triathlete mate Mitch Robbins. Mitch a relatively new triathlete has shot to prominence in recent ½ Ironman races, finishing in the top 10. A real accomplishment I can assure you, with over 1000 starters to be anywhere near the top 10% is good, to do it in your 1st season, hmm, this guy has talent and is already a capable cyclist. We were soon to have this confirmed at the annual Dead Dog 2 Day Classic in Laramie Wyoming on the weekend.
Dead Dog Classic Laramie Wyoming 27th/28th June
This was the 4th time the RAK team has travelled to Wyoming for this event. I wouldn’t say our presence in this event is as legendary as the gunfights of the wild, wild, west of the previous centuries, however the RAK performances and competitive character have been well documented in recent years. Local riders well aware of our presence and keen to race us, a different year, the challenge is now on.
Days 1 and 2, we had riders in all grades, Lach and Gus Morton Pro 1-2, Ethan and Pat Cat 3, Jared, David, Mat and guest rider Mitch Robbins competing in his 1st ever bike race in Cat 4.
I am not going to go into the detail of each stage or category in this years race, you would be reading for a while. I will tell you however, that the RAK team were well involved in all grades, winning some, losing some, and performances by all the team were outstanding.
The rides by our Cat 4 and Cat 3 especially in the Criterium on Sunday morning in Downtown Laramie gave the locals a treat of what team tactics and good preparation can achieve. As in previous years the RAK team were again placed 1st and 2nd in each off these races, Cat 4 riders snaring every Prime, and taking all the cash. Interestingly triathlete Mitch was able to mix it with these riders and be apart of the primes and the teams win.
Laramie was again very aware of our presence. You can check the below link, for results and photos of the weekend and other RAK team photos.
Since our return from Laramie and after a well earned rest day on Monday, the team were back on the road, investigating new rides and areas of the Rockies. Our ride Tuesday was up to a place called Ward, a 20 mile climb, from Boulder, not a real steep climb, but one that just went on and on and on. The descent to Lyons was much appreciated.
This weekend we have no racing, there is a club Criterium Thursday afternoon, and a big weekend ahead, not only in miles and climbs, it is July 4th weekend Americas day of Independence. Not unlike our own Australia Day, the American people celebrate and party with fireworks, friends and play the National Anthem on numerous occasions. Our training rides this weekend will require early departures, not only to beat the heat, but also to miss the traffic that will no doubt be out and about en route to the celebration areas.
See you on the road,
Seersy