Finchford Roubaix

Seven laps of a 5.5 mile rectangular circuit. Some small hills and a deceptively fast downhill corner that sent several 3s and 12s into the ditch. Wouldn't have been a challenging course if it wasn't for the brutal 20+ mph crosswind - that made it a grinding race of attrition.

They sure breed 'em big in Iowa. I felt that I had the smallest legs in the race - and I'm no midget. I noted a couple of wobbly riders to avoid, and sure enough, the most unsteady guy was the one who violated the yellow line multiple times in the crosswind.

Been 5 weeks since my Hillsboro crash and I'm still recovering. Put in plenty of time on the bike but haven't been able to do any intensity - it showed. Started yo-yoing off the back on the 2nd lap, 3 hours sleep and 4.5 hours driving had me cornering even worse than usual. Got popped at the end of lap 3, joined up with another popped rider and rotated until we got caught by two more. Did some good echeloning for 3 laps and caught nearly a dozen stragglers on the last lap, but had no idea what cat they were in, bib #s were in order of registration and had no bearing on the race category.

One guy bridged off the front on the last lap, we were all hurting and couldn't follow. Iit looks like I won the sprint (50 yard dash) out of our four man chase group. Didn't see any actual line so I was just guessing about the exact finish.

Enough about me; I finished (Sean would have) - quite a few didn't. The real story is the superb grassroots race Finchford Roubaix turned out to be. Only $20 entry fee, generous lunch provided (saving at least $10) and very respectable payout put many larger events to shame. Best thing was the large number of volunteers and the considerable emphasis on safety throughout. At least 3 volunteers coordinating each corner, stopping traffic so that anyone swinging out wide would not be in danger and keeping any inconvenienced drivers in good humor. Not fun to stay out there in the howling wind for a full day, but very much appreciated. This race deserves a lot more support and I'm already putting the word out for next year. Grassroots racing as it should be.

Here's a more interesting report.

Dangerous Dan Hill takes the W
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Call him what you like - known variously as Dangerous Dan Hill, Desperate Dan, EvilDan, Daddy to his kids, Honeybunny to his wife and Wheelsucker to his teammates - Dangerous Dan came to Iowa's Finchford Roubaix road race with the sole intention of adding to the number of illustrious wins that Proctor Cycling has been picking up this season.

Despite the impediment of six fingers on his left hand, Dan still has plenty of space to count up the uphill sprints he has lost in the past few years; and he wasn't interested in adding to the number.

Six laps of a 20+mph crosswind-ravaged four-corner course lay between Dan and destiny. It would require a masterclass in wheelsucking and shelter-seeking; and the master was up to the job. After four laps of false attacks and suicidal solobreaks the winning break got away, three Mercy/Specialized teammates, a tapped-out non-pulling hanger on, and Dan. Dan sized them all up, took his pulls and salivated at the thought of the finish.

300 meters to go and EvilDan comes out to play. The finish is an uphill into a strong wind coming from the left. The pace accelerates, Magic Dan sneaks to the front and moves to the right. The skinny-ass climber is alone into the wind and has no chance, right? 200 meters to go and the other three try to come around on the left, instantly providing Crafty Dan the shelter he needs. He takes a breath, regroups and slingshots off the front just as the slope kicks up, taking the win rather handily.

"I got in a break with three time trialists and showed them how to sprint" said Dan. Win he did, and he still has a thumb and a couple of fingers left to count off any lost uphill finishes.

Fancy Dan goes home with a fat wad of cash to wave at the family and is formulating plans for midwest masters domination and dreaming of a trip to Disney World with his winnings.

Call him what you like, but add Winner Dan to the list of epithets.