I definitely woke up with some heavy and sore legs this morning, sort of like I rode 8 hours yesterday or something. After a good breakfast and some walking around they felt better. Today is the only road day of the Tour and with a small GC lead I was hoping to create a bigger gap. Some fresh legs showed up and with some big hills on the horizon, it was going to be a big day. Carp showed up in his 4th of July best and we began the PP rollout from Court Square surrounded by runners wrapping up their 4th of July race and yells of freedom and 'merica ringing all around. It was a good day. A crosswind/tailwind split the group leading to the 1st sprint of the day being voided. Apparently no one wanted to let me or the sprint jersey wearer know there was a sprint ahead. Fortunately we got another shot and I was able to snag the 1st sprint of the day with Mike Tabasco, Bryan Fawley, Colin Vento, and Charlie Snyder grabbing the rest of the points. From there a short PP section led to the 1st timed section over some steep rollers and then 3 main climbs to a hilltop finish where delicious food and soda was waiting. I got the party started with a "fake" attack right from the gun, all out for about 60 seconds and then I planned on sitting in. It was mostly for fun and to keep everyone on edge, I mean what is going on when the leader attacks 5 seconds in to the 1st section. With a big smile on my face I sat back up as fresh legs made their moves. Just before we caught Danny Fresh Legs KOM leader Dan Wolfe attacked and bridged up and their gap widened. Those first rolling hills hurt before a group of 15 or so got together and rolled our way across our first gravel section and then settled in to a well oiled paceline. Up the bottom section of Confederate Breastworks (1st climb) we were flying at 20+ mph. That group was awesome! Thanks for all the help in keeping me close to a big threat up the road! The climb got steep and the group quickly shrunk but all those that rolled over the top were treated to one heck of a view and an amazing descent. It was such a good climb, thanks Carp!! The rest of the group made quick work of the next climb and then as we hit the 3rd and final climb where Nick "fresh legs" Waite attacked as we relaxed just before the road pointed up. He was gone quicker than I could do anything. I charged that last climb and managed to catch Danny but not Dan as Nick took the stage. It was just a great ride. The last climb was super hard but so good. This event just keeps getting better!!
Stage 3 - Segment 1
Nick Waite: No Chip Land
Dan Wolfe: 2:02:10
Bryan Lewis: +:20
Mike Tabasco: +1:24
Alex Kurland: +2:06
Stage 3 - Segment 1
Nick Waite: No Chip Land
Dan Wolfe: 2:02:10
Bryan Lewis: +:20
Mike Tabasco: +1:24
Alex Kurland: +2:06
The party pacing continued after the fueling ended and we meandered across a gorgeous valley to lots of good chit chat, some music thumping from the lone single speeder to complete the whole tour with 1 gear, and a bald eagle circling over head. This race is too good! After a good bit of time rolling through this wonderful valley a quick stop and directions from il director and the racing began again. This time it was to the top of reddish knob, almost all rough gravel roads with 2 climbs and then the long death climb up to Reddish. The stage began with a bang, literally, as Charlie popped his first of 3 tires for the day on a not bad section of uphill gravel.
The guys weren't kidding when they said this race could eat tires. Fortunately my Continental 4 season grand prix held up and I rode flat free, well sort of. After the first climb I descended the gravel like a mountain biker, which is to say full throttle and way too fast, dropping the guys remaining after the hard start. Nothing better than crushing that gravel on skinny tires. Nick was already up the road so as the gravel flattened, I slammed the pedals with visions of Paris-Roubaix in my head, scorching the gravel at 30+ mph I caught Nick before the next climb only to be dropped immediately. Another false flat downhill allowed me to catch him before Reddish to be again dropped immediately but this time I kept him in my sites for a while. The bottom was steep but then the road to Reddish ran along the ridge, a steady rolling sufferfest to the top, but the circling paved section up to the top of the Knob made it all worth it. The skinny European style road with spray paint covering it was too cool. Plus you can't argue with that view! What a stage...Harrisonburg continuing to grab my heart.
Stage 3 - Segment 2 Results
Nick Waite: No Chip Land
Bryan Lewis: 2:30:33
Dan Wolfe: +8:36
Mike Tabasco: +10:07
Alex Kurland: +15:11
Dan Atkins: +16:39
Stage 3 - Segment 2 Results
Nick Waite: No Chip Land
Bryan Lewis: 2:30:33
Dan Wolfe: +8:36
Mike Tabasco: +10:07
Alex Kurland: +15:11
Dan Atkins: +16:39
The remaining descent and PP home was a good old time of hanging with some great people. A few of the true mountain bike soles shredded three straight driveway table top jumps on the way in to town. In an "only in Harrisonburg" moment the group was held up by a horsedrawn buggy on the way in. Finally home after 6+ hours on the road would be plenty for most races, but this is le Tour and we had to get home grab our knobbie bikes and head to Hillendale Park for a quick ITT/Super D. I did terrible but you can only bleed so much time in such a short event. Sam Skidmore took the victory in style as many of the contenders showed up in some serious getup. I mean look at Dan Wolfe, he is looking oh so good. This is what makes the Tour de Burg great. It's a party, and there's no party like a Tour party, Vive!!!
Super D Results:
Sam Skidmor: 2:46
Bryan Fawley: +:05 **Also took a wrong turn, my goodness this guy can ride a bike
Dirty D: +:13
Dan Atkins: +:19
Zach Avant: +:21
Super D Results:
Sam Skidmor: 2:46
Bryan Fawley: +:05 **Also took a wrong turn, my goodness this guy can ride a bike
Dirty D: +:13
Dan Atkins: +:19
Zach Avant: +:21
Took some more time back on this stage and Chris C made a solid reverse attack on DFL and took that jersey at the end of the day. Otherwise the jerseys are looking the same. As far as GC shakeups some moves were definitely made with some serious movement among top 10. I have a 24:11 lead and that feels comfortable except this is le Tour and anything can happen. Here's the damage report:
Men's Leader: Bryan Lewis
KOM Leader: Dan Wolfe
Sprint Leader: Bryan Fawley
Super D: Sam Skidmore
Women's Leader: Sue Haywood
DFL: Chris C
Survive and Advance,
BSlow
Men's Leader: Bryan Lewis
KOM Leader: Dan Wolfe
Sprint Leader: Bryan Fawley
Super D: Sam Skidmore
Women's Leader: Sue Haywood
DFL: Chris C
Survive and Advance,
BSlow