Race Report CBR Crit

Race Report by Jon Hippensteel

Racing: Jon Hippensteel and Kevin Hinton

Race: CBR "Ride it like you sole it" Crit

"I wanted to send a little update to recap my second ever crit race. Since I
had been lapped twice during my first ever crit race in Dominguez Hills at
the beginning of March, I went into the Cat 5 this morning with less than
hopeful prospects. We rolled across the line at 7:04am and after a warm-up
lap, the race was underway. As opposed to last month, I rode a much smarter
and more tactically efficient race, and was able to hang mid pack the entire
time. It was great having Kevin with me which also gave me confidence.
Kevin did a great job shepherding me around the peloton when he wasn't
attacking it...

Many thanks are also due to the bonecrusher, John Velez, for the use of his
trainer and his brutal Spinnervals 9.0 "Have Mercy," which helped
tremendously with my fitness and stamina. My job doesn't allow for any am
rides. If not for John, I wouldn't even be on the team, and would probably
still be riding shirtless on PCH with no helmet on the weekends!! Just
kidding!!!!...

As we rounded the fourth corner, and approached lap number five, I was still
feeling strong and was able to maintain my place in spite of the rapid
position shifting beginning to occur. I started moving up during the white
flag lap, and coming around the final corner, I kicked it into high gear and
flew around the outside to charge across the finish line just outside the
top ten, in 11th place.

After today, I'm officially addicted to cycling and can't wait 'til the rest
of snow melts on the mountains so I can devote more of my attention to it.
I'm an adrenaline junkie at heart and this sport definitely fulfills that
need plus the benefit of making new friends too!"