Victorville Omnium, April 7-9

Here is Kal's race report:
Greetings all,
This is a race report from the Victorville stage race this past weekend.  My apologies in advance to any of those with literary sensibilities that are offended by the following:
                It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.  Victorville, which is otherwise notorious for high temps and strong winds, was not altogether unpleasant.  The temperatures were quite pleasant and the wind was yet to be a factor in the TT.  The course was a 10K loop with a short out and back with a turnaround at the bottom of a 1-mile hill.  I'm still rather fidgety on my newly acquired TT rig but I somehow managed to win by a fraction of a second over a good climber.  Undoubtedly, I made time on him on the downhill.  After chatting with Reed who came in fourth, I was made aware that smallish gearing hampered his downhill speed.  No such problem for me.  Moreover, the climber dude was much lighter than I.  On Saturday the RR was scheduled much later, at 12:20, which changed things greatly.  The wind had now become the major factor in the race.  Because the course traveled through every direction, the wind was to be experienced in every direction.  Which, as it turns out, was all bad.  20 to 40 mph at different parts of the course and some of the worst of it was on the climb.  I spent a good deal of time in the gutter out of which was a 1-2 inch lip and large rocks and glass.  The field was mixed and small, 55's and 60's but a number of quality riders to make the pace hard.  Easily 20 attacks each 10K lap left many, including myself, scrambling for wheels to stay out of the fierce side-winds.  At the end, the field was blown apart.  I managed to stay with the first group, which included the other 60+ guys in the top three and a half dozen 55’s, which included their top three.  Reed had succumbed to too many efforts and gaps, including helping me stay well positioned early on, which cost him a heavy price.  Nevertheless he stayed ahead of the remaining 60's for fourth.  I was a meager third.  I suffered much and was on the way to getting quite ill.  As Sunday morning came I was precipitously worse and despite the fact that I was tied for first in the overall I decided that discretion would be best for any longer ambitions so I left my number with Reed and began the uncomfortable trek homeward.  On the other hand Reed, albeit healthy, suffered a flat tire on the warm-up lap and couldn't make it back to the start in time and he also missed the last stage.  The worst of times.  We still managed 3rd and fourth overall which at least paid some expenses.  As for my current condition, I don't expect to survive through the weekend so I'll say Adios, and may God be with you all.  In case I do survive, anybody got a medium jersey they can spare?  I'm afraid I've been caught short.  I will pay of course.  Gladly pay on Tuesday for a jersey today?
Cheers...Kal