I lined up with a handful of teammates for the 4/5's. The race wasn't as fast as I was expecting, with unbelievable slowdowns each lap at the top corner. There was one wreck (or was it two) in the race to keep us on our toes. I rode comfortably throughout the race in mid-pack, seeing teammates here and there, but all of us pretty much riding our own races. Brandon and I connected for the last lap, finding ourselves at the head of the field at the top of the hill, we slowed down just a fraction, allowing others to come past us. We rode together down the backstretch and then I grabbed Brandon's wheel for a stupendous lead out. He pull me clear of the bunch and I rocketed off his wheel just before the 200 meter to go mark. I pulled back four of the five riders in front of me. The only one I didn't catch was Drew Lavey from UK. Second in the race was a good start to the day. Kudos to Brandon for his hard work.

Both he and I decided to jump into the 3/4's as well later in the day. This race was appreciably faster then the 4/5's, as one would expect. I wasn't feeling great at the start of the race, but my legs loosened up as the race progressed. I was only planning on riding in the group, getting some more racing miles into the legs, and rolling home comfortably. No one managed to form a decent break and the group was still together in the last lap. Which meant I started to have second thoughts about the whole 'taking it easy' approach. Rounded the bottom turn in mid-pack on the final lap. Lost a little ground conceding a hole to a guy I was certain would have put me on my ass. Recovered and passed quite a few riders on my way to the line. Crossed in 11th, which I have to be very pleased with.

A gorgeous day at Coldstream and some great racing. Thanks to Royden and Todd covering for registration so I could get out there.