My continued preparation for the Cascade Classic included riding from Olympia to Des Moines (WA no Iowa) for the Masters criterium championship which I had won in 2007.  Seeking the training benefit more than a possible state Masters medal I headed north into a stiff head wind and plenty of small climbs and rolling hills onthe way from Olympia through Tacoma and on to Des Moines along Marine View Drive on a hot July day.

I arrived with plenty of time to spare and my family greeted me with some cold water bottles as I attempted to recover before the race.  The usual Masters tactical dynamics played out, and I was tired enough to not fight the tide too much, though I did get into a couple to breaks which were mostly thwarted by the BRI team who were riding for their sprinter.  They didn't want to ride with me in a break even though they had two riders in it.  They took charge of the race in the closing laps and I slotted into the top 10 looking to take the sprint as I'd done in 2007.  Unfortunately, a rider in 6th place or so opened a gap to the leadout train forcing me to first sprint to close the gap and then attempt to win the race.  I could only pass one of the leading riders to take 4th place, missing the bronze medal. 

After this race it was time for some rest and recovery to allow for some adaptation before the gargantuan event that is the Cascade Classic.