Getting Wiser Each Week
A good-sized group rolled out Tuesday night under near-perfect conditions. The pace on Route 10 was brisk from the start, which created an unusual bit of drama that most riders never even noticed.
Steve B had started ahead of the group, separated from the group before the ride had fully formed and found himself up the road with a small gap heading through the early turns. A handful of riders, including Stefano P., Steffan Huber, Sean Hurley, and Turner French, spent the opening miles taking turns at the front trying to close a gap that much of the field wasn't even aware existed.
As the ride approached Mountain Road, the pace predictably ramped up. Turner French was among the first to move clear before visiting rider Nick Amato appeared seemingly out of nowhere and bridged into the space between the groups. Then it was Andrew Suzuki's turn to launch. The result was a familiar Mountain Road selection, with Turner French, Andrew Suzuki, Chris C., and Hunter P. driving the pace while the pack worked to limit the damage behind.
This time, the chase had enough horsepower to keep things under control, and by the traffic light much of the field had regrouped.
The ride settled somewhat as it entered Southington. Roan from the New Haven Angels spent some time off the front before peeling off near Mount Southington, and the pace remained relatively steady until Welch Road.
There, Chris Sima launched a well-timed move. Given a small gap through the opening corner, he put his head down and steadily increased his advantage while the riders behind hesitated. Sima carried the move all the way to the sprint line, narrowly holding off a charging Turner French before being brought back shortly afterward.
The action resumed on West Street and Atwater, with Stefano P., Nick Amato, Ben Bruce, and others taking turns animating the front of the ride. Andrew Suzuki made another attempt on Atwater, but the group remained attentive and kept things together.
The next major selection came on the Greenhouse climb. A group of five riders, including Andrew Suzuki, Turner French, Nick Amato, and Chris C., separated from the field and opened a small gap over the top. Hunter P. later bridged across with Sean Maher and Little T in tow.
Around this time, Steve B. finally reappeared after his extended solo adventure. Depending on who you ask, he was either rejoining the ride or simply allowing everyone else back into it.
The renewed pressure at the front splintered the chase and left a select group of eight to nine riders contesting the final miles. Just before the downhill run toward the finish, Sean Maher and Jacob Hacker slipped away with what appeared to be a winning move. Behind them, the pace steadily built until Little T launched his sprint and came around Hacker in the closing meters.
Next week, SGR goes into summer-chill mode, as the TNC at the Rent starts up for 6 weeks.
