Columbiana Road Race

Stage 3 of the Tour of the Valley was today held in Columbiana. The race headed South into the major hills, I'm guessing the biggest hills in the area. It was a very tough stage but I felt good on the climbs and rode at the front of the group on the King of the Mountain hill above lactate threshold and felt good. Nate got away right before the hills started on the valley road and stayed away with 2 other riders for the remainder of the race and took 2nd., great job Nate!

We dropped some riders off of the main group on the big climb up the KOM and after we crested the top there were 7 of us left in our group and it stayed that way through the steep hills and all the way til the 1k mark when Phil Hines attacked with the yellow jersey in tow and a few of the MVC guys and myself with him. We sprinted it out after the tough grade back into town with the sharp right hander toward the finish all of us very spent and happy this stage ws over.

I finished 8th on the day and stayed in 6th overall Master in the G.C.

After we got back to Jon's and showered we headed back into Struthers to a place called the Elmton for some of the best pizza in the world and an I.C Light. Great day today.

Tomorrow is the finale. A .98 mile criterium in downtown Youngstown.

Will update tomorrow evening.