Charlestown Stage Race Sept 26-27,1992 Masters 45+
The racing began with similar nasty conditions as Killington, rain, cold and wind. The only thing missing was the steep hills. The weather conditions were so bad that the races were shortened by 15 miles (1 lap) each. Unlike Killington this was to be a sprinters stage race. Barry, Steve, and Neil were there to generate fast speeds.
Stage 1 Charlestown Road Race-
The early pace was slow and wasn't providing enough drive to warm the old legs. Barry wanted a faster pace so he flew off the front. Barry said after the race "I was cold and the pace was slow so I attacked just to warm up before the start of the hill." The pack answered the call to pace and answered quickly. Unfortunately, the pace went back to a crawl. Through the flats at the end of the first lap the attacks became more plentiful. On the backstretch Neil took an opportunity to sneak away on a narrow part of the race course. Barry and Steve worked to slow the pack and Neil opened the a 30 second lead. Not to be left behind Bob Perlee from Jaeger took up a furious chase with the pack in tow. If not for the all out chase Neil had a serious chance for victory. The rain started to get harder causing concern about the final off-camber corner. Steve, having had problems in this corner last year, accelerated to be the first through the corner and avoid pack problems. Bob Perlee, an Earl Page teammate, showed his sprint to take first on the preme with Clarence Ballard second and Barry third. After the preme sprint Clarence Ballard broke away from a sleeping pack and opened a large gap. While NEMRT rested at the back of the pack Steve told Barry and Neil that last year Clarence held a breakaway on the last lap against a masters 40+ field and that this move could stick. NEMRT went to work to close the gap. Going into the hills for the last time the mission was accomplished. The pack was back together again. No serious attempts were launched after Clarence was caught. Neil again took control of the front on the flat at the end of the race allowing Barry and Steve to rest for the sprint. As the final corner approached Steve went off again to be the first through the corner. Barry forcing his way onto Steve's wheel was second at the corner with about 600 meters to go. "Steve looked fresh so slowed down going through the corner and let a gap open. I guess every one was watching me because Steve easily moved away" said Barry after the race. Steve looking back was surprised by the gap and went for "all the marbles". Barry sitting at the front grabbed the first wheel to come through as the sprint got under way. Steve held tightly to a narrowing gap as the final 200 uphill meters began. Unfortunately, Steve's finishing kick was not there and the swarming pack flew past. At the line Clarence Ballard was first closely followed by Clive Woakes, Worc. RC, and Barry half a wheel back in third. Steve streaked in for tenth followed closely by Neil in eleventh. A good, albeit wet, start for NEMRT. The afternoon time trial was next.
Stage 2 Charlestown Time Trial-
The rain was slowing but the wind increased as the time trial started. Still tired from the morning race, Barry was the first NEMRT rider on the course. Barry started fast but was slowed by the head wind and finished a disappointing 11th. Next NEMRT up was Neil. Feeling inspired after a strong morning ride, Neil hammer from the start and posted the fastest time of the race with only a few riders left to start. The few were all strong and would challenge the fast time posted by Neil. As the last few rode and failed only Bob Perlee, Steve, and Clive Woakes remained to have a shot to take the lead from Neil. Perlee's time fell short. Steve was next to try. Down the course Steve pushed followed closely by Clive. Both time were close but Steve ended up second, Bob Perlee third, and Clive fourth. "This was an excellent rider by Neil and Steve. Where they found the strength, I have no idea" said joyful teammate Barry "They beat a really strong field." Next stage tomorrow, the Ninigret Crit.
Stage 3 Ninigret Criterium-
The rain had gone but the wind remained (the Ninigret Hill). The race was on the line and NEMRT planned race strategy. Neil with 44 point on the two stages was the NEMRT race leader, Steve Jean with 40 points was second and both had hope for victory in the overall race. All day Earl Page jumped after anything that remotely looked like an attack. With five laps to go the final preme was awarded, Barry was nipped by Earl for the money but slowed after the line in anticipation of the attack by Neil or Steve. Through the first corner Neil flew off the front and opened a sizable gap only to find Earl glued to his wheel. "The plan worked until Earl wouldn't work. Unfortunately I got discouraged and sat up, I should have kept going and tried to stay away regardless of Earl" added Neil. The race was in the final laps at this point and there was no chance for a solo win as the sprinters jockeyed for position. The bell sounded for "the final lap of the bike race" shouted race announcer Dick Ring. Neil, riding strong all day, worked the pace to set up Barry and Steve for the final burst to the line. At 300 meters to go wily veteran Dick Martin from EastBay tried to catch the pack sleeping and set the speed for the sprint. The surprise move jostled the sprinters and caused Barry to take a charging Steve off the wheel of the leaders as the line rapidly approached. Barry, having survived the jostling, came into the final straightway on Bob Perlee's wheel. "At that point I was golden, Bob went for it and I started to come around him" said Barry "but he stood up and dusted me, not by much but enough to win." Earl Page, after having given Bob his lead out, held on for second nipping Barry at the line. Steve recovered enough for 10th followed by workhorse Neil in 11th. "We worked well as a team in all three stages until my narrow sights took Steve out of the chance to win. If I had any idea it was him I would have chosen another wheel" added Barry after the race. NEMRT had a chance to shine all weekend even though the sun didn't.
OVERALL RACE RESULTS:

1. Bob Perlee Jaeger

2. Clarence Ballard Westchester CC

3. Clive Woakes Worc. RC

4. Luigi Buono Laurel CC

5. Barry Boyce Laughing Alley/Breakaway

6. Neil Whitehouse Laughing Alley/Breakaway

8. Steve Jean Laughing Alley/Breakaway

RACE NOTES- IF this were a timed event Neil wins by 5 seconds, Bob Perlee because of time bonuses second, and Steve third 2 seconds behind Bob. IF there were something for the team without a doubt the title would have gone to Laughing Alley/Breakaway with three riders in the top ten. A powerful end to NEMRT's most successful year.