Iron Hill Twilight Criterium and Preriding the Fair Hill race course

Saturday evening saw the Iron Hill Twilight Criterium which is part of the USA National CRIT Championship Series making a stop in local West Chester PA.

Races Consisted of Mens Cat 3/4, Pro Women's and Pro Men's
All I can say is "Wicked FAST! By the time the Pro Men hit the streets it was getting dark - 60 laps and they were flying right from the start - I really have no idea how they could keep up that tempo for the entire 60 laps, but they did.

Eventual winner Emile Abraham (Priority Health) and 2nd place Evan Fader (Battley Harley Davidson) kept away on a breakaway for 23 laps.


Womens Pro field came down to an at the line sprint where Cherrwine team rider Laura Van Gilder edged out Teresa Cliff-Ryan (Breakway Racing)


.....and a few more photographs from the race:
complete race gallery can be viewed here

http://mlkimages.smugmug.com/2007%20Sports/345674/













Sunday I ventured out to pre-ride the Fairhill race course with Todd Forrest leading the group ride. Parking lot was full with a few different groups heading out as well. Our group probably started out with close to 20 riders....and in the end whittled down to around 8. Course was just as everyone described - no flow and lots of climbing.

In the end the course measures out to just over 28 miles, our riding time was 2 hours and 41 minutes...averaging 10.5mph. For me, toward the end of the ride I was just hanging on buy a thread trying to finish. I was definately hurting and felt the effect in my legs the following day. Still not sure if I am going to race Fairhill of just be content to do some groups rides now and again...Well see come Sunday.