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Act 1
As I slowly awoke from my slumber this morning I peered outside my window. A surge of disappointment crushed my delicate young soul as soon I realized the sun was shining. There was not a single chance of rain. How will we cope? My mind began to wonder. How could we possibly race that day’s Preston Street GP if its not going to rain? For the past 6 years it has rained at some point during Ottawa’s cornerstone bicycle race. No matter I figured, as my mental faculties came back from the initial shock of seeing the unusual sun and clear sky, we still have work to do today.
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| Brian dives in. Courtesy of the Brian Trafford family. |
Act 2
Froth pure froth was oozing from Team elder Osmond “Rabid Man” Bakker’s mouth, akin to that of a wild animal. A stylish wild animal who definitely belongs in a modeling catalogue thanks to his new POC DO Blade eyewear. Needless to say I was careful not to mention the word breakaway or attack, else it tip him over the edge before the race start. Soon after, the even older elder Peter “Ace of Spades” Morse arrived from Toronto; he had a cool and calm look about him that belied the killer instinct lurking in the depth of his soul. If you stare into his eyes for long enough you may see it, but you will soon be vulnerable to it when racing against him. It’s awesome to be able to call such exquisite, experienced riders my teammates and friends.
Act 3
We were all chomping at the bit on the start line. Seventy-five minutes of sick masochistic “pleasure” lay ahead of us. Enough to make even the most devout sadist on the planet reel in wonderment whether we were human or not. It wasn't long after the race started that the first attacks started firing their way down the road. It seemed that nothing would be allowed to go this early if at all. However, a strong group of 7 eventually attacked clear with a representative from most of the teams in it including OCTTO-Cervélo’s very own Osmond “Rabid Man” Bakker. We knew the break was in safe hands so Peter and I got to work marking moves in an attempt to get a gap and bridge up. But as time wore on the break appeared to be well clear and the rest of us were racing for 8th place.
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| Brian working the front of the pack. Courtesy of the Brian Trafford family. |
Act 4
POOF! my first knowledge of the fact that Osmonds break had lapped the field was a glimpse of him flashing by and going onto the attack once more, like a man possesed! We had a clear and concise mandate from there on in; keep things together for the “Rabid Man”. Attacks continued riffling down the road; Follow, Work, Rest, Repeat. Peter, myself and the Stevens team split the work. We were all in the same boat and in no mood for negative racing. That is to say a certain team seemed hell bent on blocking and like a bunch of Juniors. Not that that would be inaccurate since they were a bunch of Juniors…. Moving on before I get too off topic…. The race continued in that fashion until we were pulled with 5 laps to go to allow the riders who lapped the field to settle matters on their own terms. The laps counted down. Tensions rose, and Osmond heroically took 3rd in the final sprint while outnumbered in the break.
Act 5
I couldn't be happier for our Team. We rode together for the greater good and got a podium spot to prove it. Big shout out goes to Bike Race Ottawa for continuing to put on this GREAT event, and to all the spectators who showed up. There is nothing like riding down a hall of noise and cheering to get you going that little bit faster.
By Brian Trafford
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