Challenge RR

Kudos to VP for scoring a great new epic course and I'd say the toughest climbing race on the calendar so far (well have not done Wards so not sure there). I debated on whether to go since it's definitely a climber's race and that's not my strength, but since I've got the hall pass why not. We had three in the race (Griff, John and me) and decided to race the 3s with a bigger field. We hit the first couple climbs hard and I felt ok. On the longer climb before the flats I got dropped and so did Griff - shit. We weren't exactly going slow. So we catch back on and I feel a little recovered. The group slowed so I just attacked figuring that was the only place on the course I could make an impact and make someone else chase while John sat. I think a team or two took the bait. No one chased so I just rode solid tempo and had a bit of a gap. I caught another guy who had gone off (oops didn't even see that happen). He looked blown so I picked it back up and drilled it for a few more miles solo. When the group caught Steve attacked and Eastside chased. We caught Steve then I attacked again. This time my legs were really feeling it and was only off a couple minutes. With the long climb coming up my job was done and just bagged it to save the legs for Monday's Giro. I've dnf'd only three races ever(one mechanical) and hate doing that, but just did not see any value in another lap and maybe 2oth place. Not really sure on the overall impact of attacks on the race, but it was fun with some good TT practice and John took fourth.