Punt!

As I sit here, I would have been warming up for the 40+ race at Tysons, hanging in there as long as possible, and then starting the Cat 4 race right afterward.  I love this race; it doesn't love me, as my previous experiences have resulted in disappointment.

As it turns out, the steady patter of rainfall on the roof and through the downspouts has crept into my psyche and as a result I am home, waiting for another day to race.  In my glory days I didn't think twice about racing in cold and wet conditions.  One of my most visceral memories is abandoning a 5 lap 50 mile road race on lap 4 because the downpour of cold rain and lack of feeling in my extremities jarred me enough to realize that this was just stupid.  The cold vinyl of my Toyota Corolla racemobile (with its distinct rusty La Prealpina roof rack) never felt so good.   Now I only accept these conditions for cyclocross based on the fact that speeds are lower and the inherent danger of pack riding is decreased significantly.

And that's what it comes down to:  fear.  Not of the pain of racing, but of the possibility of going down.  Some recent opinions of mine on sketchy group riding are fresh in my memory.  Gone are the days when I didn't think of it--now it's on my mind whenever I'm on a group ride or in a race.  Different age, different responsibilities, different body.  I'm not a Belgian style hard man, quite the opposite.  Pillsbury Doughboy come to mind, actually.  I can only admire those that gut it out in a pack for pride and minor swag.  I've run the risk/reward scenario and today it's much more rewarding to spend time with the fam...

Ironically, the racing is probably safer today than in dry conditions, as people tend to be more careful in the rain.  I won't be there to see it--good luck and safe riding to all who are there to live it.