The final race of the year, i needed to beat one guy for 2nd overall in the points.

It was 2degrees when i got up, that's about 34 for you Americans ;) I was pretty thankful i bought new tights yesterday!

Got to the course with lots of time to prepare and warm up, which was really nice. After putting on my layers, Nigel and i set out for a warm up ride.
I was already feeling grief from my legs as we did the big climb at a super slow pace. This didn't bode well for my #2 overall.

We started only 2mins behind the group in front of us, and by the time we got to the top of the climb we'd eventually finish on top of, we'd put in more than a minute.

I was really feeling it already, the pace was just go go go from teh start, with no time for recovery. We caught the group in front of us within the first half lap, I figured great, maybe i'll get a break as we integrate. Nope, didn't happen, the hammerheads in my group pushed through and on we went. A few guys got on to our group, including Darren who looked incredibly strong the second time up the big climb. Sadly for him, a mechanical forced him out of our group, he still finished a strong 15th place finish though!

Our group was getting smaller, down to perhaps 15, with Andrew Watson ridden off the front, and Shawn Marshall leading the rest. We were flying along the course, and i was feeling ok. Emil the guy I went into the race tied on points with, was also in the group, and really looking smooth and strong as we climbed.

The third time up the big climb did me in. I wasn't able to hang with Shawn and Andrew and the rest of the guys, i dropped off teh back, not too far, but enough. I had a guy who dropped off with me so i wasn't all alone.

We got to teh top of the climb maybe 30seconds behind the lead pack, and i knew there was no way to catch. I was more concerned with staying ahead of everyone else. The guy who was with me refused to do any work, so i didn't push very hard, i just tried to keep them in sight. Eventually, halfway through the final lap, 1 guy dropped off teh group, and we caught him, almost at the same time, a guy caught us from behind so now we were 4.

I had so little energy at this point, i was having a hard time maintaining pace on the flats, nevermind the hills! One guy in our group relentlessly wanted to drive on, and attempt to catch, by now we were ~1min back, and i knew it wasn't happening.

I pulled through for the first while, then took some time just barely hanging on to the back of them.

As we reached the climb for the final time, we were stretched out in a row, with nobody looking comfortable.

I decided it was now or never, and stood up on the pedals and managed to open a gap of about 100' It almost killed me, and if someone had attempted to chase me down, I surely would have been done. I made it to the top of the first section, and recovered a bit on the way to the summit climb. Again i started with a big attack, and then just held on to finish. I had no trouble staying away from the guys in my little group, or the rest of the race, but 8 guys finished ahead of me, including Emil.

He had an impressive race, finishing in 3rd, to wrap up his 2nd overall in the points. Shawn Marshall finished a strong 2nd on Watson's wheel. Making Andrew's win even more impressive was the fact he did a 40km TT yesterday for the Provincial championships!

It was a great day, i wish i had pre-ridden the course so that I had some idea what to expect. I was almost ready to pack it in on lap 3. I'm glad I endured and finished though, I got a vest as a prize for my 3rd overall on the season.