View 2011 Quabbin Reservoir Classic Road Race in a larger mapThe Quabbin Reservoir Classic Road Race is 64 mile road race in Ware, Massachusetts. The race features lots of climbing, long and fast descents, some nice views of the Quabbin Reservoir and the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club who provide motor pace services. The race this year featured temperatures of 37 degrees and a steady rain and thus turnout was lower than it was in the previous three years. It is a major race for Frame and Wheel and the OA / Cyclemania Masters Cycling Team, but because there was not a 40 plus category and no team mates in 35 plus, Frame and Wheel raced in the Pro 123 category.
Frame and Wheel tracked the race with an Android smart phone and inserted labels at various parts of the route so that viewers can get a sense of what was happening at those points in the race. Total distance is 64 miles and total moving time is about 180 minutes (official time: 176 minutes 49 seconds). Average moving speed is 21 miles per hour and maximum speed is 40 miles per hour. Elevation gain is 4,650 feet and maximum elevation is 1,093 feet. Maximum grade is 15.7%. There were 51 starters in the Pro 123 category.
The peleton is soaked at the bottom of the neutral section. The pace up the first climb is brisk as riders try to get warm. By the end of the next big descent, almost every rider is shaking or swinging his arms in an effort to return circulation to hands and fingers. The wet cold makes it hard to shift and apply the brakes. Frame and Wheel vows to pack foot warmers, booties and dish washing gloves in the race bag for all future events.
A dangerous break forms of about ten riders and creates enough of a gap that the chase car catches on. The break remains in sight of the peleton. Some riders abandon or fade on the climbs. There are two flats due to water filled potholes. Frame and Wheel is sitting in and trying to stay warm.
The descents are very cold and sap any warmth created on the climbs. The shivers make it harder to hold a true line. The only consolation is that the break is caught. The reformed peleton makes the turn to the feed zone, which is populated by perhaps one supporter. One rider abandons here, another points out that the halfway point has not yet been reached. The peleton soon heads south and is greeted by a strong headwind.
The climbs at the Hardwick town line produces no attacks; the peleton stays together and pushes on. Frame and Wheel is convinced that there is a break up the road as the group appears smaller. Frame and Wheel is reticent to sit in, hydrate and eat and try to stay warm. The peleton stays together on Greenwich road and there are another two riders who flat. Although much of this road is repaved, there are still some rough sections.
There are perhaps two riders off the front, but they remain in sight of the peleton. The pace picks up as the group enters Ware and hits the last remaining climbs. The first steep section results in no attacks, and the peleton stays together on the longer but more gradual climb that follows.
The group of 22 riders enters the last five kilometers in the park and the pace picks up and remains high. Frame and Wheel is convinced that the race will end in a field sprint. The cat and mouse begins and Frame and Wheel moves to the front to cover the attack that surely must come. It does not come until "Hank's Meadow", a flat section right before the final climb to the finish, and it is not the surge that Frame and Wheel is expecting. One rider attacks and Frame and Wheel follows. The gap is big and Frame and Wheel is certain that it cannot be closed, but Frame and Wheel tries nevertheless. Frame and Wheel expects the field to come charging past at any moment, but that never happens. There is one rider behind Frame and Wheel, but he cannot close the gap. Frame and Wheel enters the last 200 meters which are characterized by the usual tunnel vision, a cold and wet quietness, a single spectator shouting out encouragement and a race official indicating the finish line "funnel". Frame and Wheel is very pleased with the second place finish, and heads directly for the car and the promise of warm clothes and some real food.
