If there are no corners, is it still a criterium?

Officially, yes. A criterium is defined as a closed course circuit race of less than two kilometers. However, at this past Sunday's CT Coast Criterium in Bethel, CT; the all too familiar course was mostly one big circle.

With a rash of promoter conspiracies preventing us from racing in Masters events, I signed up for the P123 race of 35 laps. Not too bad except that I did 27 in a training race there on Wednesday and another 22 with the girl beforehand in the B race. I was dizzy just thinking about it.

A small prereg group led to a very talented and fast race due to late day sign ins. The group started fast under calm and sunny skies. Despite several spirited attacks by yours truly and others, nothing stayed away and with 10 laps to go, the word went out that we were going to have a bunch gallop. Yeehaw! There is nothing I love more than banging bars at 70kph with no health insurance! Ugh.

I started to move up with 5 to go and faught hard to keep position going into the finale. With two to go I bumped a Spooky/Kenda rider off of his leadout and had a good spot. "Excuse me, pardon me, coming through." We flew down the left side and towards the finish. The lead pulled off early and "d'oh" I was in the wind with 200m to go. Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I went for it hard only to die a thousand deaths with about 20m to go. I was passed quite often and had to settle for 9th place.

Not too shabby really for a some-what old guy. I have had a pretty good string of single digit finishes lately (CTSR not withstanding) so I could live with it. I was also pleased to see a hard working 19 year old win the day; maybe there is a future to cycling?

Not to be outdone, the Fin won his race in Joisey. Which exit? HAHAHAHA! Really though, my only regret of the weekend was that I didn't go up to Auburn, ME for the very hilly and very difficult road race there on Saturday and beat that poser dude that bought his Cervelo kit from an online store. Wait a second, I am getting a message now...seems that...wait...oh. That Cervelo guy was indeed the pride of New England just back from finishing his rookie Giro d'Italia: Ted King. Great work Ted, we are all proud of you!

Two weeks: Housatonic Hills Road Race. Now this is NOT a criterium.