Rouge Roubaix Race Report
March 8, 2009
St. Francisville, LA

My First Rouge
by Pat Fresneda

I had been training with Kenny and just after he sent out a "Rouge Roubaix Peaking Plan", I came down with a vicious stomach virus last Thursday night. Well, instead of doing his training on Friday, I stayed home and finally held down 2 pieces of toast and a banana. Not following the plan already. I also missed Sunday's Northshore ride with my riding buddies, Rolan and Steve. The whole week I did not feel normal and on Tuesday's levee ride, I went to the back to hide as I felt weak. My wife, Michele (a nurse) told me I would but I didn't want to admit it. I had thoughts of skipping RR but last year I had promised Steve we would not let him do it alone again.

So, Sunday morning shows up early, 4:20 am (really 3:20) !! Yikes! I go pick up "the Destrehan gang" and we head to waffle house in Sorrento to eat by 6 am. A big waffle is just what fits the bill before a century.

Race:   We head out on the course and it seems like the pace is pretty easy so I am feeling good. About 3 miles before the gravel section, the referee in a black durango is honking his horn like an idiot and driving like 60 mph on the left yelling at people about the left lane. I finally realized I was one of those and told him I was forced over for about 10 seconds and did not advance my position. I couldn't make out what he was saying so I slid over to the right. This was the time when the pace picked up. Next thing he does it again and yells at Mignon. Then he does it again and pulls over on the left side of the shoulder and takes out a bull horn and yells at us!!! It was too much....I mean what the hell?? I could not understand a word!! As a wheel truck driver at last years tour de La. I saw a motorcycle almost hit some riders during a crash in a Cat 5 race so I was not impressed and was fearful he would run someone over if there was a crash. I had dropped back while "chatting" with the ref and realized I was not in a good position anymore.

We hit the first gravel and the pace goes crazy....after I see the pack falling apart I pass some people but realize I am not gaining. We passed Dave who had a flat. I ended up with 5 or 6 guys and Mignon. Other than the dust getting in my eyes, the first section was not too bad and I was actually enjoying it and the hills did not seem bad at all. I was doing better than I thought on the gravel control-wise as we did not have a practice gravel ride. Near the end, we passed Jorge' who then joined us. We regrouped with about 8 or 9 and headed up the road. Dave caught back up with us and went off with Jorge. I figured I was not 100% and better stay back and see how I felt as we had 65 miles left. We headed on Hwy 24 for the long trek westward for about 20 miles into a pretty good wind.

Everyone seemed to be working well together and we caught Mark and another rider. I told Mark my race was over but I was trying to help Mignon get some points/money. At about 50 miles, we all took a nature break. When Mark was pulling with me behind him, a big dog started coming fast but Mark yelled and it stopped. At the 2nd gravel our
little group splintered all over the pace and I saw some Cat 5s.

Mark, Mignon and I stayed together and I was thinking that a 25 cassette was not enough, maybe I needed a 32 or something. Mignon and I got ahead of Mark unintentionally and stopped at the feed zone for some water. They said there may not be any more water so I stopped and topped off both bottles. We waited for Mark awhile and then decided to head off fearing he flatted. The pond by the hill is very nice and has some cabins. We passed a few people including a female S3 rider (more later). We waited for her after a hill but she could not really catch on so we rode from the 2nd gravel to the 3rd as a two man TT team. Mignon and I hit the 3rd gravel section at 79 miles and she was able to stay on the bike longer than me. Gabe of Adams came along and we walked quite a bit. I was sweating like crazy just walking. The problem with the 3rd gravel is the downhills, I would start flying down the hill and then hit a patch of loose gravel and almost crash so I started braking probably too much. I started feeling really weak and did another gel but realized I was taking in plenty so I knew I was not bonking. Gabe started to leave me on a hill so I yelled to him to tell Mignon not to wait. I got another water at the end of the 3rd gravel and really about fell off the cliff. I could barely keep the pedals turning over......of course I am getting passed left and right. Then Judith comes along and says there is a S3 girl behind her and I need to help her.....oh boy, did I mention I am thinking of losing my lunch?? I go as hard as I can for maybe a mile and tell Judith that I just don't have any left. (Sorry Judith) I rest some and then get on with a group of 2, I hung on with them until about mile 90 or so. I am still feeling bad and then the S3 girl that Mignon and I left goes by....what a morale bust....I was physically done but now I was down mentally....I dug deep down and went across the nice creek bridge, perked up and said "there is no way I cannot go just 8 or 9 more damned miles!!". I rode the last 8 miles alone, realizing it must have taken me an hour to go the final 15 miles....I cross the finish line at about 6 hours and 10 minutes or so, get some water and rest a couple of minutes and see Mark coming up to finish. We rode back towards the hotel but to add to my day, we get lost and have to flag down a cop who drove by for directions!!

Overall, I finished with my goal of not going down, not breaking anything and no flats. My back hurt, my biceps hurt from all the bouncing around, my hands hurt and had blisters and I won't mention my rear! I rode Vittoria Rubino pro with Mr. Tuffy's based on Todd's (Bike Connection) advice. I think everyone in NOBC had a safe ride which is what it really comes down to. I am disappointed that I could
not stay with Rolan and Steve but was glad I could help Mignon. Overall I felt I prepared well in doing 9 of the winter northshore rides and the training camp. I know I have improved my climbing ability but some days just are not your day and you have to look forward to next year's Rouge Roubaix.

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