The Days are Numbered
September is here to to stay and that means that this week was time foe a shortened loop. NHGP is this Friday which meant it was dress rehearsal for a couple of the SGR riders that are taking to the start line in Downtown New Haven.
After the ride left route 10, Jason Williams at the front pushing the pace. Turner F and Sean M as well. The ride proceeded on though without much incident and the pace was normal. At one point there both Tom K and Tom C were out in front by few meters. The two Toms were brought back by Turner F, Hunter P and Big Red.
Halfway down Mountain Rd, Dan Smith attacked and got a gap. Turner went to the front and brought it back over a minute or two. When the catch was made, Hunter P counter-attacked and created a gap going towards the light. 6 or 7 reacted quickly enough that they were close, and closing in, by the intersection. The light was green for the approach, then yellow with 30 meters to go. Hunter P had a (shrinking) gap and went through just after it turned red. Behind Matt Z was a bike length or two off the front of the chase and 4 or 5 bikes behind HunterP. Sensing what was about to happen, he had jumped to get across, or at least jumped to make some room from the Rest. The Rest slammed on the brakes. The remaining 10 or so riders of the peleton were 2 seconds behind and everyone had their foot down in a few moments.
Matt Z and Hunter P held their gap all the way to the Greenhouse Climb.
Behind the pack had some good efforts, but occasional attacks hurt the rhythm of the chase. Chris C would drop his chain near the industrial park. Sean M stopped with him, and those two would shortcut back on to the ride as it came back south.
As everyone hit the Greenhouse climb, from certain angles the two up front could be seen off in the distance. Little T attacked right from the bottom. Sean C went with him initially. Soon Sean M and Turner F bridged up, making it 4 on the early slopes. The pace was pulling back Matt and Hunter P.
Everyone in the chase traded attacks and the gap steam-rolled shut. Sean C attack. Turner attacked, then Little T jumped the last bit to close it down. Up front. Hunter P was pulling all the way to make sure the two would make it to the sprint line. They did, and Matt Z rolled through the line first, followed by Hunter P and then Little T. It all came back together after that, including the rest of the peleton.
From there on in, it was hard riding all the way in. Little T gave Sean C a lead out for the final sprint. T jumped from the last intersection, up and over the first riser. Sean Cahill was able to jump to take it. Behind, TC 2nd, and Big Red rolled over the line in 3rd.
Great ride everyone!
