Preston Street Part II - The Veteran's View

Preston Street Part II - by Team veteran Osmond "The Steak" Bakker:
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This years Preston St Crit was held in perfect conditions. Sunny and dry. Usually it rains at Preston St. Team rode really well. Pete managed a prime and I came home in 3rd.

Osmond lurks at the front of the pack.  Courtesy of Brian Trafford family.

I started the day off working the kids' events. This year we had over 60 kids in the 7-and-under category, our best turn out ever. After taking care of the 7-and-under races, I then had to be Dad to my daughter Lauryn as she was racing in the Pee Wee category (10~12 years) and was really nervous. After explaining to her, nerves are a good thing if you know how to manage it, she apprehensively took to the line and had her best race ever on Preston St.

Osmond lurks near the front of the pack.  Courtesy of Brian Trafford family.

Then it was my turn to take to the race. No nerves. I just went cool and calm as usual. Looking around, it was obvious that the NCCH team was the one to watch. As expected, they took turns attacking until a good one went early into the race and I was a part of. We grew to 7 riders after a couple of laps and started working well together. After 30 mins, we ended up lapping the field.


 I knew this was a dangerous time and followed another strong move with 2 of the NCCH riders. It was too dangerous to let us go and we were pulled back into the pack. My teammates, Pete Morse and Brian Trafford worked tirelessly for me to keep any dangerous moves in check so I may battle it out with the 7 riders whom lapped the pack with me. In the end, I ended up 3rd, outnumbered behind the 2 NCCH riders. Kudo's to their teamwork to get 1st and 2nd at Preston St.

Pete stretches out the pack. Courtesy of Brian Trafford family.