I participated in the Masters Provincial Championship race. The race was 8 laps of a 10km loop that included a serious 1 km hill just before the flat finishing straight. The total distance was 84kms. All age groups (10-year categories starting at 30 to 39) were combined in the race, creating a field of about 80 riders. The average speed for the race was slightly over 40km/hr.

A lead group of about 40 stayed together the entire race. It was clear that the last time up the hill would be key to getting into position for the finishing sprint. Unfortunately, as I tried to move up in the group before the hill, I was involved in a high-speed crash-I did not go down (some did), but my rear wheel was bent and I was seriously 'freaked out'. Because of this, I was at the back of the group at the bottom of the hill in the very worst position.

While things didn't look good, I just put the pedal to the metal and, by the top of the hill, had moved up to about 20th. During the sprint, many of the leaders blew up and, at the line, I was 2nd in the 40-49 category (I think 6th or 7th overall). I was relatively happy with the result, but wondered what would have happened if I wasn't involved in the collision at the bottom of the hill.