You should always win the sprint for your own city limit.

It is customary on group rides to sprint for city limits. The signs are easy to recognise and when you’re lucky the two cities don’t repair their streets with the same frequency, the change in tarmac gives the ideal finish line.

When you’re lucky you get an approximate distance to the next city a couple kilometres in advance which lets your ride partners (read ‘opponents’) describe the last k.

-‘So it’s a right turn, then little descent, 600m to go, intersection, you’ll see Dom’s Hot-Dogs on the left. The sign is 150m from there.’

The word ‘trust’ comes to mind during city limit sprints. There can be none of it.

Winning city limit sprints is not done through teamwork. Not describing the false flat uphill between Dom’s Hot-Dogs and the finish is part of your opponents’ strategy. But you’ve done your research. Strava’d the route beforehand, checked the segment’s gradiant, cross-referenced with street-view and you’re only peaking in two months so you paid Dom a visit and tried his best dish(es).

Épicurien.

After all, you spent three grand on a pair of aero ENVEs with Chris Kings. Your partner/wife/wallet won’t allow you to loose.

All rides being coffee shop rides, the winner won’t have to pay for his post-ride espresso and croissant. You won’t allow yourself to loose.

Right turn.

The new kid attacks. He’ll be reeled in almost immediately by Mat on the descent. Mat doesn’t drink coffee. So you quickly make an alliance with him. A simple nod suffices. He was there at Dom’s on your reconnaissance ride and you’ve been riding with for a couple years now, he knows how to lead you out. The best allie.

Intersection. None of those roundabout thingies.

The new kid attacks again. But this time Mat does something weird. He swerves quickly out of your way and looks back at you. He wants you to close the gap. He wants you to WHAT? The alliance is done. As quickly as it formed. You can’t close the gap, that’s like admitting defeat. You’re playing a very dangerous game here. You should go, the new kid looks like he’s got fresh legs. But you can’t chase and win. You’re not Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle.

Alex cracks first and jumps ahead. Good stuff. You’ve got a new lead out.

Dom’s Hot-Dogs on the left.

The catch is imminent. The false flat was not flat enough for the New Kid.

Shift to the twelve.

Full gas. All out. Around Alex. Fifty metres.

You got it.

NOPE.

A campagnolo wheel appears in your peripheral, and it’s going much faster than your ENVEs. Even your Davis Phinney-esque lunge for the line won’t be enough. Mat beat you. Fair and square. No celebrations, just a friendly tap on the back.

You see. Mat is a great cyclist, great style, good legs, amazing Power to Weight ratio. Plus during his finals at University, he started my coffee doping program. That espresso and croissant winning prize was all the motivation he needed. He wouldn’t allow himself to loose.

Anyways, you’re peaking in two months. You’ll get your chances.

Also why did they build the café at the top of the hill? Now you’ll get dropped on the climb and you’ll have to pay for the brownies as well.