End of the Road Race June 2, 2007

The Juneau Freewheelers end of the road road race took place on 2 June and was full of the unexpected. Janice Sheufelt and Gary Smith went on the early break less than a mile into the race. They broke on the hill just past the ferry terminal and pulled away from the laggard pack by over a minute at one point. But 50 miles is a long way for a two person break and about 25 minutes into the race Sheufelt and Smith were absorbed by the pack. After Eagle Beach the sport class turned around and the race began to play out. Following a steady push by John Bursell up the first hill after Eagle Beach, Robert Sowers pushed the next incline and found himself away from the pack with only Alan McCabe in tow. Then the race began. McCabe, and Sowers began a concerted effort to break free. After John Bursell bridged up the pace increased again . The pack led by Chris Scholes organized and gave chase. After the turn around and one last effort Sowers cracked and Bursell and McCabe continued to push. The pack began to separate after the turn around and soon reabsorbed Sowers. Chris Scholes, Kevin Maier, Dave Pusich, Casey Colton, Terry Ward, Smith, Sheufelt, and Sowers were left in the pack as Bursell, and McCabe continued their break away effort. Once the pack hit Eagle Beach the chase was pretty well abandoned and the group began to position and test each other for the final sorting out. John Bursell and Alan McCabe finished side by side safely ahead of the pack. On the final hill before Auke Rec Robert Sowers pushed to the front for half the hill , dropping Smith and Scholes. Sheufelt took the lead when Sowers pulled off and maintained the pace to the top of the hill where she pulled off and Colton then began the down hill in the front. Half way down the hill Sowers surged to the front and began a hard push to the finish with Colton next followed by Sheufelt. Rounding the corner into Auke Rec Colton went wide and Sheufelt moved onto Sowers’ wheel. Then the remainder of the pack surged by and the sprint began. Sheufelt launched off of Sowers as the group went by and savvy pack rider Terry Ward took first in the sprint with Sheufelt second.

Robert Sowers

Thanks to race director Jamie Bursell, and volunteers Ted Heaton, Laura Scholes and Rose Welton. Thanks to Robert Sowers for setting up the signs and cones.