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I’ll skip to the punch line: I won the W4 Central Park race today!

It was a pretty uneventful race coming into the final lap, a few surges here and there but nothing stuck. I pulled more than I probably should have, but I wanted to stay close to the front in anticipation of any charges. Two ladies from Rockstar were obviously plotting a move, which became all the more apparent when one of them attacked on Harlem Hill on the final lap. I stayed on the wheel of the one who I assumed would get the eventual lead out.  I think the field broke up then, because there were fewer of us when I looked back as I led the field through Horse Shit Alley. 

But I wasn’t going to pull everyone through Cat’s Paw (oh hell nah), so I sat back and let the others do some work. I assessed my options when we came up the incline, do I want this wheel or do I want that one? The field was small enough at this point that I had my pick of the litter. Everything sped up and I could see the two Rockstars getting themselves in line. And sure enough, when the lead out came, I was third wheel. The first Rockstar died shortly after the turn into the final stretch, and the second Rockstar pulled me within 2000m of the finish line, when I gunned it. There was a split second where I thought I’d sprinted too soon (I always do and can't seem to hold it long) but I had enough gas and crossed the finish line first. 

I realize now that this scenario is ideal, textbook-style race strategy. It’s taken me a while to put two and two together: to read the competition, to learn patience, when to go and when to sit back. Racing is hard. Despite everyone telling me to think, I haven’t really been thinking strategically about bike racing until now. Combined with luck and fitness, the payoff can be huge. And I mean “huge” as in mentally because as of today I got over a mental barrier that I can't win. Turns out I can get the job done.

That's awesome, Kayt.  It says Rockstar on their kit, but we know who the real Rockstar is.  Nice job kicking the shit out of that race.  And learning about racing. Pushing past your limits.  Having a breakthrough, epiphany right in the middle of New York Goddamned City.

Now. . . don't go.  Stay here and teach me how to do what you just did.