Hillsboro Roubaix 2012

When the thunder started rolling Friday night I rolled over in bed and knew Saturday was going to be interesting.  Hillsboro Roubaix 2012 did not fail to disappoint in that category.  I drove down to Hillsboro, IL Friday after work which was about a 4-1/2 hour drive from Chicago.  Staying in a hotel is not the greatest thing in the world but I had high hopes that the weather would clear and that I could make a run at the top ten this year in the Cat 3’s.  Eating breakfast and watching the torrential rain come down I knew the weather was not clearing anytime soon.  Skilling’s forecast was for 20% chance of rain and temps in the 70s.  At the start line with no cool weather clothing the rain continued to fall and the temps hovered in the 50s.  Thank you sir!

At the start I was chilly but felt good and prepared for the race but as we rolled out of town and I got hit with the first spray from the wheels in front of me and the cold wind blasting through there is no other way to put it, I was cold.  When we hit the first hill going out of town the speed picked up I tried to see through my wet glasses and pick a good safe line but felt very unsteady on the wet roads and all but blind with the glasses on.  It was here that I got nipped with my first centerline warning.  Because the roads are not closed to traffic the race officials enforce strict rules about crossing the imaginary center line of the road.  Since the county roads have no centerlines this is somewhat arbitrary but strictly enforced.  Fearing for my life on the first hill I went way left over the line trying to stay safe but was instantly reprimanded for going over the line.

Mid Race Descent

 After the climb out of the river valley I ditched the glasses and settled into a nice pace with the group.  The rain let up a little and the peloton rode comfortably through the first lap.  The course is hilly with some flats that can be quite windy at time…  today was no exception.  Riding through the wind and rain I rode steady with no real action happening at the front.  Coming into town after lap one the peloton accelerated at the base of the climb and I was gapped and had to race to catch up.  Going through town for the start of the second and final lap I was struggling to regain contact with the pack after the acceleration through the brick sections.  I finally managed to get back into the group and settle into a rhythm again

Peloton Rolling Through Town

As the pace picked up more and more riders started taking risks to get to the front.  I saw numerous crashes and guys ditching to the right off the road so I chose the opposite and rode on the left near the center line knowing I was risking a DQ but thinking safety was more of a priority.  Near the 50 mile mark I made a big mistake and tried to move up the left side near the center line.  As soon as I started moving forward I knew it was a mistake but the peloton was so tight I couldn’t find a way get back in.  What I should have done is drop back to where the peloton was less dense and regroup… but I didn’t.  The official rode up alongside me and flagged me to the back.  I rode alongside the official and he said that since I had already been warned earlier I would be DQ’d.

At the time I was mad but in reflection it was the right thing to do.  I made a bad move and got busted for it.  Notwithstanding being embarrassed I was very disappointed to be riding well and then to have that result but I did learn a valuable lesson out of the experience.  I stayed in the pack and rode back into town but without any motivation to sprint or risk life and limb on the descents I took it easy rolling into town and finished with the pack.  There were many crashes and dangerous moves in the final couple miles and I was satisfied to avoid those and make it to the finish safe and sound.

Cat 3s on the Final Descent into Town

Final Downhill into Town
note: the tricky asphalt at the bottom of the hill lost a waterbottle and bar plug to those bumps

 In the end the race was disappointing for me but I learned a valuable lesson and got a nice 2.5 hour ride in.  Leave it to me to always look for the silver lining.  Full race data can be found HERE.  The rain was really a game changer for me because I felt some of the corners and descents became infinitely more dangerous with the wet conditions.  I wasn’t willing to put it all on the line and take the risks in those situations and my result reflected that.  I’m hoping for better results as the rest of the season progresses, and I am certainly glad to have this one behind me.

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