Purgatory Road Race, Cat 1-4, 45+

Masters 45+ (Cat 1-4), 52.5 Miles
Sutton, MA
Saturday, June 19, 2010

Wow! This first time race was fun but very hard. Kudos to the race director and all the volunteers. The whole experience was positive (except for the part where I got dropped by the leaders). We had 63 starters in the 45+ race. Some guys were falling OTB (off the back) the moment the neutral 1.5 mile start ended, and the pace became relentless. RELENTLESS! I stuck with the leaders for most of the first lap. We raced a hilly 10.2 mile loop 5 times. The 1km climb to the start/finish was steep and I twiddled up it in my 39/26. So, once again I was OTB with little company. I had a CCB guy with me for 2 laps and we worked together before he retired. I caught or was caught by others and we worked together, until they retired. On the last lap I was with a familiar competitor and we took turns into the wind. Going up the final climb we rode side by side gradually increasing the pace as we approached the finish until we were in an all out sprint. I nipped him barely for 44th place. It was a humbling race.
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Cycling is a vicious sport. It’s a cruel sport. Cycling is punishing beyond belief, full of agony, indescribable sacrifice, as well as sheer and utter pain. However, like an epic tale spun over the course of roads around the world, thankfully cycling is a redemptive sport as well. It is a beautiful sport, it is fulfilling, and it offers plenty of room for triumph despite adversity.
— Ted King, pro bike racer for the Cervélo TestTeam. and a native of New Hampshire