Victor, NY – With half of the team down south at training camp, the remaining Chimps sent a detachment to mix it up with the CAT 4s at the first annual Strada Verde road circuit race organized by Team Towpath and the GVCC. The squad—Tony Campagna, Jon Cyganik, Dan Deemer, Ken Hammond, and Pat McNeil— arrived early to recon ride, talk tactics, and berate each other’s choice of chain lube.
The race started very fast into a downhill, immediately after the uphill neutral zone. By the end of the first lap, the leading CAT 1/2/3 group was within sight of the CAT 4s behind. Within a few laps, a flurry of attacks and a high paced target to entice chasers resulted in some riders breaking away from the main group.
We could have started much harder and been near the front from the gun to watch for attacks and breaks… It caught us by surprise.
Jon Cyganik
Soon, the breakaway was mixed with stragglers from the 1/2/3 group ahead. The fast, 4 mile circuit offered few places to make up the gap, and, with no wind, the pace was high for the entire race.
We went in expecting action on the main uphill each lap, but the group kept such a high pace going up it— and the downhill is so easy to be fast— that nothing happened. The real race was in the turns. Four corners that you can hit with no brakes. If you didn’t, you’d be sprinting to catch a wheel. There were a few times I got stuck taking a corner too slow and thought ‘that’s it, there’s no coming back from this!’ But, that’s what teammates are for!
Pat McNeil
By the final lap, it was unclear how many CAT 4 racers remained ahead of the main group. Campagna and Cyganik went all out for the uphill finish, leading the bunch and taking 7th and 9th overall respectively.
Overall, it’s the official opinion of the team that Strada Verde is a fantastic addition to the race calendar, with a great location, excellent course and hard racing, and plan on being back next year to take another shot at the road circuit.
Couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday than suffering in the morning and grilling some well deserved steaks in the afternoon!
Tony Campagna
Pat and Jon push over the top 
Dan hanging out with Buffalo Bicycling Club 
Jon enjoying a tasty post-race beverage
Race photos by Whirligig Photography
