Manda Butterball Style

Manda is as close to a Belgian day race that there is in Central Texas I suppose. Set in rural, working poor country, settled by Swedish immigrants.


There are long flat stretches along treeless wind swept fields. It's seems to always be windy and overcast.


Generally the race gets strung out as the wind plucks riders off the back like a John Deere combine harvester or something like that, and comes down to a survivors finish. I had the luck to be a survivor and finish in the top 10 this year.


P.S. All the other 2011 spring classix were marred by mediocrity:

Tour of NewBraunfels
Survived the winds and finished with the selection.
Allsatian
Formerly a classic road race turned suburban sprawl circuit race.
Recklessly lead the charge up the finishing hill. Swallowed by the pack across the line
PaceBend/Walburg
Did about 5 minutes of each due to injury from improperly carrying heavy objects by bicycle.
LaPrimaVera
Pack finish both days.
Fayetteville
Saturday; Pack finish for RoadRace and middle of TT (6.6miles@16:20) sitting top 20 in GC at the end of the day. Following the advise of my director's sportiff's to be more aggressive this season, I cursed the entire field for passing me over the yellow line, while I elbowed my way to the front before the final turn.
Sunday; I found myself in a 5 man break for 2 laps with 2 min on the field which eventually caught us and spit me off the back before the finish.
Manor
Woolly Mammoth and Party Time animated this race. Lots of attacks and a 5th field sprint, 12th overall. The last K's covering the talented Jaime Dayo, who did not disappoint, with a bike throw for 4th. Party Time took the win in a 2 man break ahead of Jaime's 5 men.

P.P.S.
A clean machine.

Fayettville

Sick with a head cold, I arrive at the cozy ranch house late Friday night to find Patricio, Tiki, and Jamie watching 'O Brother where art thou?

Sat RR:
7:30am, 68miles, 3 laps, thunderstorms expected. The roll out is sketchy and stupid. 2 hours in comes the NW storm front. Most flatted, some quit. The follow vehicles decide to park in the middle of the road for the race to dodge. I make it through and feel great after warming up on the hill on the last lap. Me, Tiki, and Griz are there. I flat at the top of the hill. No wheel truck. Forced to hitchhike into town to find Mateo half naked and nearly dead in the truck. I debate for 30 warm minutes weather to grab his wheels and do another lap and a half to be eligible for following stages. Negative.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, While the survivors head off for the TT, I watched Hincapie's win at the 2001 Gent-Wevelgem, then packed up and rode home against the fierce wind.