AMLI Downtown Criterium in Austin, TX
(10/22/2005)

"Crazy Spectators, Catching Air at 60, and a Legit DJ"
Joseph Lafico

I'm still on cloud nine folks so you'll have to pardon my enthusiasm.  I cannot say enough about how cool the AMLI crit was this weekend.  First of all, as most know I recently moved to Austin and have had a doozy of a time trying to get in training miles with the new job (uhh, welcome to the real world).  So my expectations for the AMLI crit was to sit in for a couple of laps and then go have a few colds beverages after I got popped.  My expectations were met...and so much more.

The P123 Crit started by a hundred plus of my fellow racing compadres fighting to get to the front of the start line.  I was joined at the front of the pack by super studs Aaron S., Jimmy C., and Kevin B.  Then this squirmy little dude from Compliance Depot nosed his way through the crowd and started all cock-eyed right beside me and he clipped my front wheel as the gun went off....Yep I went OTB with about 6 others in the first 10 feet of the race.

So the race started and the officials let us all take a lap to get new wheels and such.  As the pack came around it was led out by a HOT ROD from South Austin Speed Shop...Imagine a roaring Hot Rod blazing through an echoing downtown strip and then Catching Air at 60 MPH!!  Yep that will get ya fired up...The officials let me roll with the start of the race pack and boy was I happy to be there...I stayed in the first 20 folks of the race for about 15-20 minutes and man were we flying...The Streets were packed with yelling spectators... Music was Blearing from the balcony of some Urban Lofts as the promoters had brought in a legit DJ to spin some tunes. It was Awesome!!

My race was pretty much over when I dove into corner #1 three wide (I was on the outside) and the inside rider went down, pushing the middle rider into me and we both went skidding literally into the crowd.  We both stayed upright...dabbed the ground with a foot and then hammered to join the group.  We got back into the pack in the last 10-15 riders and.....well....That was all she wrote.  I hammered in vain for a few laps to get back into the first half of the pack.  After a few more I faded, and then got popped with fellow Houstonian (NWC-Damon). We tried  to catch but the YO-YO effect of 100+ racers was to much for this Playa.  Game over at about 25 minutes into the race.

I have never in my life had such a warm cheer from the crowd as I pumped my fist into the air and through my hands high, with a huge grin on my face as I crossed the line while getting pulled from a course:)  I was having so much fun even though my race was over!

I know this was a lack-luster showing by the Playa, but I was Super-Stoked that I had the privilege to race in such a Super-Cool setting.  For all that missed it, I can say that more than likely you have never raced in front of a larger condensed crowd. The course was only about .6 miles long and we were turning laps at 1:05 pace. Over half of the course was packed with Crazy Spectators.   Let me tell you, it was quite a feeling.  I can assure you this event will stay in my memory for some time.  Not only is it the last race of my season, but it was the coolest...even when I've had much better results.  Events like these are why I race and compete.  Remember it's all about having a good time and giving your best. This race refreshed that Mantra for me.  Hope to see ya’ll there next year.