“After trying for a podium here for a decade, I finally got it.”
Clamfest is a true New England classic and one of the best races on the local calendar. Despite looking forward to it every year and having raced it since 2014, I've always fallen short of my hopes and walked away disappointed at myself. The women's field this year was sadly quite small, but contained some strong riders. I knew the ButcherBox women would be really tough to beat, but still had dreams of a podium in my head as we drove up to Portland. Given ButcherBox was the only actual team in the women's field, they 1-2'd us pretty effectively, using their absolute strength and lack of cohesion in the peloton to attack on consecutive laps and team time trial away. I was once again a bit disappointed since I'd hoped to be part of what I saw as an inevitable move, though I saw after the race that I'd hit my peak power just trying to stay on Gillian's wheel during her attack. I tried to settle back in and have faith in my sprint and my experience on the slightly tricky finish. I whispered to myself "podium, podium" as we lined it out the last time up the Clamberg, and positioned myself perfectly in second wheel. The rider in front of me made an all-out effort on the Clamberg and I locked myself onto her wheel. Right as the road dipped slightly downhill, I stood up on the pedals and took the field sprint for 3rd. Podium dream achieved!
- Meredith Moran
Photo Credit: Crispy Taco
Stephen Cameron’s take on the Men’s P/1/2/3 race:
Coming back to New England for a month or so to see friends and family, as well as escape the Texas summer heat is always a highlight of my year. Clamfest is circled on the calendar!
This year was my second time racing Clamfest, so I was familiar with the course and just how painful the “Clamberg” could be. Last year I was a little bit timid due to coming back from a broken collarbone, but this year, I knew what I had to do - move up on the downhill and be towards the front on the climb so I could sag a bit over the top, rather than having to go up it full speed and potentially have to close gaps.
I was executing this strategy lap after lap, and it seemed to be paying off. I was in pain coming through that start / finish every lap, but I wasn’t in the red. With two laps to go I was even able to snag a prime! $25 dollar prime = $25 dollars worth of fried clams coming up.
As we approached the downhill on the final lap, AJ slotted in behind me. Teamwork time. I was sitting pretty, maybe 3rd or 4th wheel behind a few Velocio guys as we flew down the hill and approached the Clamberg for the final ascent. We cornered fast into the start of the climb and the Velocio guys hammered it. I dug deep to try to stay on their wheels but they opened up a little gap by the top. AJ leapfrogged me and went in hot pursuit to the line
.I am one of my biggest critics when it comes to racing. I should have held that wheel to Velocio. Looking at my power data, and then also seeing I hit my max HR of all time, I come to the conclusion that I did empty what I could. But, I still go back and wish I had another chance to make it over the top together.
The fun didn’t end at the finish line, I had some family in attendance; my girlfriend Allie, my brother Chris, and his wife Jenny. We all enjoyed some clams and beer together after the race. It was a great way to cap off the New England leg of the trip.
See you next year Clamfest!
