Last Wednesday’s sprint was such a surprise to Mr. Bubbles, it was essential to continue the fun today.  And what better way to start than to make deals right from the get-go?  Guero, Jake and the Tortuga were on board to upset the favorite.

It was all fun and games to the signal at Bolsa Chica.  At one point during the ride, Tortuga rode up and pointed to a couple of the boys (sweet-talking eachother) [we'll leave them nameless for now] who were also busy brewing a strategy; apparently talking about the alliances that prevailed.

About 8 riders took off at the signal; no real fire power in that line-up.  I mistakenly went with them, albeit, reluctantly, with the intent to sit on their wheels.  Like an idiot I was half committed and never really sat on.  I was somewhere “in between” with no protection.

Then the chaos began.  The swarm came around me; it was a mess.  I was scrambling to get on a wheel without going over the white line.

Half a mile from the railroad tracks, attacking from the back, Mr. Bubbles and Picarelli come screaming by [in that order - one in the other's draft - you could smell the contempt in their cadence]; there was no chance to get on those wheels.  And at the same time, as the Hessian was coming off the pull, rolling back, Tortuga rushed up to give me his wheel but Scott Clark was holding on too tight [like he was being led out to victory] – couldn’t get in. Then, there I was, caught behind the Hessian, who suddenly ran out of juice [damn Hessian PuTard], couldn’t get around him – by the time he got outta the way, everyone rushed by [can't jump out over the white line - it's dangerous out there].

Pure chaos.  The signal at Seal Beach Blvd was green and the peloton never slowed. Rode hard to close the gap.  Never saw Mr. Bubbles’ wheel until we got to Studebaker.

You learn who your friends are by their fidelities in the peloton.  Some are up for a little fun; some gotta bet on the favorite; some purely opportunistic.

Oh well.  There’s always next week.  Muy Chicharrones!  Lesson: gotta ride smarter.