by Mitch Askew
2-1-2003
This past Sat. I rode the Alto cup WBL ride. It was a 120 mile road race with 11,000 ft. of climbing that started in Athens. From my perspective, it was as
close as it gets to being in a real stage race like you see on T.V. We rode in a pack at 15 mph for long stretches. While this was going one people were talking, trading food, and basically relaxed. You could only attack in the designated attack zones once the whistle blew. Since this was my first time, I stayed in the back and just observed. This is what I saw and heard.
A couple of people just told me to keep the sag wagon in site no matter what. I heard another racer yell over to anther guy "yea, this going to be about 6+hrs
of prison rape sex". That is when I began to doubt my ability. I only saw racers all from the big teams. John Deer sponsored and put up 500.00 cash. They had
one sprint for 100.00 and several others all for cash. The Alto climb was about 8 miles long, but was not that steep. The
whistle blew for the first time all day going up Alto, and the next thing I know the sag wagon was passing me and everyone was gone. Lucky for me this was a hill attack and I am a decent climber.
I clawed my way back up to the back of the A group and was thankful for the store stop at the top. I saw one guy down a 32 ounce cup of coffee and another drink an
entire beer! This was only 53 miles in to the 120 mile ride. These guys were hard core, some of the
hardest riders I have ever had the pleasure of riding with. I even saw guys I looked up to on other teams cramping and getting into a little bit of trouble. The final sprint back into Athens for me was pure hell. I was in the back and heard the whistle blow and once again they were gone. I leaped frogged up to about mid pack and was never so thankful to make it back to my car. I
officially got my clock cleaned and was forced to swallow the entire humble pie not just a
slice. For me it was a painful, but great experience to ride with those guys and girls.