So lately, the rides have been very interesting. Tom has been very aggressive and actually making challenges. Its funny, if you ask him directly if he will put up a challenge to a particular rider, he chooses not to answer or be subtle about his answer. But as the opportunity arises he participates in the challenge. As he approaches a particular spot where most sprints and challenges occur(members of "Wheely Cool" knows where these stretches or short hills are), Tom pretends to hang back and gives some excuse why he's lagging. What he's actually doing is waiting for the particular rider he is about to challenge, stays behind that rider to conserve energy and to draft and as that rider makes his move, he jumps behind that rider, drafts a bit and attempts to sprint or attempts to catch you off guard for the win.

Today I helped Hilario out by drafting in front of him, the challenge was to come from Hilario at Sandhill. As we approached the downhill before the Sandhill climb, I began my sprint downhill to catapult Hilario up Sandhill. I had approached 42+ mph, expecting Hilario to ride my draft, there was a separation that was created between me and Hilario, Tom was looking for this and took advantage of it and jumped in between Hilario and I and rode my draft. I believe that Tom was actually conserving and waiting for me to make my move to ride my draft, thinking the challenge was coming from me. This hill is a favorite spot to sprint and test other riders strength, skills and endurance. Tom stayed with me, followed by Hilario and Willis, until I gave way to Hilario and Tom for their challenge. Hilario appeared to make his move by pulling aside Tom and actually getting a small lead. Willis and I observed, to our disappointment not much happened, as if both were waiting for the other to make his move. With Willis growing impatient, Willis initated a sprint and past both Tom and Hilario in hopes of triggering a sprint from both riders. I had thoughts on following Willis but decided to stay back to see the whole race develop and watch the outcome from behind. Once Willis had passed Tom and Hilario, Tom got out of his saddle when he reached a predictable marker (last speed sign on the hill) and attempted to catch Willis and initiate his power move on hilario. This triggered Hilario to initiate his sprint, but to my disapointment, Hilario was too tired to put up a challenge and sat back down.

Knowing from observing Tom's strategy the past few weeks, I decided to test his actual sprinting skill. As we descended from Sandhill and crossed Highway 280 overpass, Willis had initiated another sprint, seeing this, I myself sprinted and took a wide approach as I passed Tom. I did this knowing that Tom would try to jump in my draft to attempt to stay with me. To his discouragement, by the time he had jumped in my tracks, I had sprinted too far ahead of him and had eliminated his opportunity to draft behind me. This resulted in him getting left behind, basically negating his strategy and strength. I felt if he wanted to show his sprinting skill, he would have to do it on his own energy.

The point to this story is, if you expect to challenge or fend off Tom, don't let him hang back to rest, or hang back with him to rest and eliminate fatigue while he atempts to stay somewhat fresh, don't let him draft on you, and don't let him think your predictable (thinking that he may know your gearing sequence). I noticed that he will not attempt to challenge on a long steep climb or after a long constant fast pace, gravity and fatigue is a problem to his strategy. I think at this point you can see the whole picture.