7/06/2012 By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) I know many are waiting to see how the TDF turns out but we had one last chance for the finish of the Tour De Inland Empire. The racing so far had been exciting and a bit surprising. We didn’t have all of the crashes of the TDF but we had two teams and several riders in a struggle for bragging rights. Because of consistency the B team had a pretty good lead coming into today’s last stage. I was in firm control of the yellow jersey and we would know all we needed to know in just a bit over 38 miles and two hours. I took my time getting dressed, having a breakfast bar and coffee before heading to the start finish line to begin the last stage. Due to many reasons the field was down to 9 riders but there were two strong contenders from the A team that could challenge for the Yellow Jersey and maybe even change the results of the team challenge. As we pulled out onto Gilmore I was in the lead with two B team members between me and the first of the A team riders.

It was good to see they allowed Highlander back into the race after missing the coffee test Wednesday. Von Richthofen was right next to Highlander making me feel better about my chances at staying near the front of the pack as the ride progressed. Surgeon had the A team blocked in on the right so that no one could get past me on my blind side and that made me feel better as well. They protected me all the way to Kirby and then up to Cypress where we headed west to get to Jo0hnston and Sanderson. However it was on Cypress where the A group started to work their way forward and I knew they were going to make a race of the stage.

We Turned north on Wentworth and caught the light there before we could get off of Sanderson. Once we did make the turn Highlander pulled up next to me and chatted till we got to the end of the street and made the jog over to the airport and west again. Things started to get interesting as we past Hanger 1 when both Gambler and Centaur pulled past me and started to head for Stetson. I got back in front of Centaur and Highlander jumped on Gamblers Back wheel before we got out onto Stetson.

The ride west on Stetson was brutal as we quickly closed on Warren Road and continued on towards California. I held back thinking of saving myself for the sprint on Stowe. I knew with my sore knee I would be at a disadvantage but I had just read a Bicycling article about riding through the pain so I thought I would give it a shot. As we turned South on California Gambler led a breakaway with Bounty Hunter and Von Richthofen on his back wheel. I was in no position to respond so I watched them pull away and could only hope the Peloton would lose too many points and too much time to the breakaway. Gambler finished first but only a few seconds before Bounty Hunter and Von Richthofen and the Peloton was almost two minutes back. Team wise the B team didn’t lose much but Gambler took a big bite out of my lead for the Yellow Jersey.

Next we made the turn South on Winchester and I took the lead all the way to Domenigoni. Next we made the left turn to head back east and I started the Peloton along heading for Warren again. I gave up the lead after about 500 yards and Highlander took over for about 200 yards more before Gambler, Centaur and Barracuda moved forward and pulled everyone along at attempting to drop the pack. I held on to the dry wash before falling to the back and staying with Dura Max and Highlander till we got to Searl and a nature break.

As we pulled back out onto Domenigoni I started thinking about getting some points back on State Street. I wasn’t in a good position after we made the turn and found myself in front. I was planning on waiting till Gambler or Centaur made their move but before I knew it Surgeon made a run that started the sprint. I knew I had to stay in a gear I could spin because standing would be a bad idea for my knee so I waited for a few seconds and took off after him. It was way too early and I ended up getting run down by Gambler, Barracuda and Centaur. This was not a good sign for the Yellow Jersey. The B team was still good on points and time but Gambler and Centaur were getting close to striking distance to my lead for the Yellow.

On our way east on Stetson we lost Bounty Hunter and I thought Surgeon was going to retire as well. He didn’t leave and we stayed bunched up till we got to Columbia where Surgeon and Highlander took the bypass and the rest of the group took the long loop to Lake and Stetson. I knew I had another chance to get some points on Fairview even if I didn’t expect to get back much time. True to my expectations I was in a good position for the sprint and decided to ride through the pain as I sprinted to the front and made it over the bridge first and stayed there all the way to Florida. I may have won the sprint but I paid the price after heading for the Ranger Station and got there at the end of the group making the last run back to Carl’s critical.

The standings up to this point were as follows: Monday 1. Gambler had 7 points for the two climbs. 2. Bandit had 7 points for the same two climbs. 3. I had 9 points for the Juniper climb and the stage finish at Chris’s. 4. Cossack had 6 points for Ramona and one climb. 5. Surgeon had 1 point for the Juniper North Climb. 6. Hornet had 2 points for the Juniper South Climb. The B team had 10 points for the finish at Chris’s. The A team got a DNF and no points so I got the yellow with 9 points. Wednesday 1. Centaur had 6 points for the Ramona run and the Goetz north climb. 2. Lee had 5 points for the Ramona run and Goetz climb. 3. Debbie had 4 points for the Ramona run and Goetz climb. 4. Hornet had 4 points for the Chris’s finish. 5. Surgeon had 4 points for the Ramona run and Goetz climb and Chris’s finish. 6. I had 4 point for the Goetz climb and Chris’s finish. 7. 501 had 3 points for the Chris’s finish. When Lee and Debbie missed the coffee check at Chris’s Surgeon and I picked up their points. Giving surgeon 9 and I had 7. Team B had 12 more points for the stage finish. Team A only had 3 for the finish. Friday up to the ranger station. 1. Gambler got 16 points for the Stowe, Domenigoni, Fairview and Florida climb. 2. Centaur got 9 points for Stowe, Domenigoni, and Fairview and Florida climb. 3. Bounty Hunter had 5 points for Stowe, Domenigoni and State Street. 4. I only got 4 point for the Fairview sprint. 5. Surgeon got 1 point for the State Street Sprint. The top four places before we started for the final run west were: 1. Superman 20 points. 2. Gambler 16 points 3. Centaur 15 points 4. Surgeon 11 Points We headed west out of the Ranger Station parking lot and I got a good start into the trees and took the first sprint up the rise. That gave me a shot of keeping the Yellow. I tried to drop off of the front but couldn’t get any help. Soon Gambler, Barracuda and Centaur pulled past and I was able to grab a wheel. Gambler kept picking up the pace and by Fairview it was a four man breakaway. Gambler kept the pressure on and I managed to get past Centaur but couldn’t close on Gambler and he made it to the light first and got 5 more points. Centaur gat back past me and Surgeon got by as well I ended up with one point. At Carl’s we tallied up the points and the finish was: Superman and Gambler with 21 points. Centaur with 18 points. Surgeon with 14 points. The Judges took the sprint times into account and Gambler ended up with the Yellow Jersey for the Tour De Inland Empire by 55 seconds. The B team took the team championships with 14 points to the A teams 10 points. The rest of us headed back to the staging area by riding down Lincoln.

After making it to Park we lost Surgeon and Dura Max. Barracuda left us after we turned onto Latham after leaving Santa Fe. Highlander, Centaur and I rode past State Street and I decided to stay with them all the way back to Carl’s and stayed to talk for few minutes before heading for home for a hot shower. It was great tour and I am looking forward to the next one. Good ride Gamber.