MYLES STANDISH RR April 25,1993 Masters 45+
This day was to be a welcoming party for newcomer Bill Hartwell. With Bill known for his aggressive riding and over all riding strength, Barry, Steve and Bill mapped out a tentative plan to attack hard and often before the race. They then set out to dominate the race from the gun. When the gun sounded the field of more than 40 racers pushed their way into a 40 mph head wind, which came from the opposite direction than the normal Myles Standish wind. On the first lap the wind slowed pace created numerous opportunities for aggressive racing and NEMRT was the only team willing to push the pace. Bill was the first to attack and drew quick response by the field. As Bill was getting caught Steve took his turn and went hard off the front. A winded pack groaned but did respond. As Steve was caught Barry flew off the front for his turn to make the field hurt. Again the pack responded. By half way through the second lap the field had dwindled to about 25 riders and Steve, riding aggressively, had just been caught when Bob Fradette from Conn. Velo Club became the first non-NEMRT rider to go off the front and launched a serious attack. Bill answered quickly. The field strung out quickly and the two riders slowly separated from the field. Bill wisely waited to see if the break had a chance before pulling through. This gave Barry and Steve a chance to rest before going to work on the field. When they did go to work only two additional riders escaped the field, Peter Paulding from MassBay RC and Jimmy "I'm Making a Comeback" MacMillan from Jaeger, and joined the breakaway. The breakaway solidly in place Steve tried a solo bridge up to the leaders into the wind and escaped the field alone but four can move faster than one in the head wind and Steve returned to the pack. Once back in the field, with one lap to go, Steve rested for the field sprint. The break flying toward the finish Bill sat in good position. At the 500 meter mark Bob Fradette led out the sprint closely followed by Bill. "It was a little early to go but he was working hard and I had his wheel. Once I passed him I knew if was victory" said a very pleased Bill after the race. Across the line Bill was first followed by Peter Pauliding, Jimmy Mac, and Bob Fradette. This left the hard charging field to finish. With Barry cramping badly, Steve was left to charge to the line alone. Furiously Steve went for the field sprint and held the lead until the final meters only to be caught at the line by the ageless Dick Martin, EastBay.