Sunday's race was up and down the the final Fred's Ride time trial route. Five miles up, five miles back. Luckily (?) there was a strong tailwind from the south to push us uphill.
The highest number I saw was 75 so there were at least that many riders. Since the weather for Sunday had been iffy all week, I think the large turnout was due to the amount of prizes in both merchandise and money that was being given out.
I like this course. There were some good battles here in 2006 when I first and last did a race here. Five times I raced here that year, topping out at 23minutes 24seconds for a 25.64 average. Still never beat Vince or Dan, but whatever. It's five miles going out, mostly uphill of about a percent, then the second half is typically screaming back downhill. Not Sunday though with the wind from the south. Going out was fast. I forgot to set my powertap until 5 seconds in (oops, second time that's ever happened) and soon I was pushing 26-27 uphill. Not much to report going out but I was holding a good speed. Turned around and BOOM, more wind than I thought. Going back downhill was much harder than going out and my average showed it. I ended up at 23.9 average via my 5 second missing powertap. Good for 6th in the 40-49 group. Old guys are faster than the young guys. Wattage was 240.
I did not get passed, nor did I pass anyone. Found out my one minute man had the exact same time as me and my two minute man was one second faster. No wonder I didn't see anyone!
Shane, per usual, destroyed everyone in the standard class and most people overall. Wow!
This was my 156th race since 2005.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
mf
On top of everything I can now add to the laundry list a back condition that leaves me barely able to get out of bed in the morning. I think the tennis didn't help it.
I did do 1.75 hours on the trainer this afternoon after not riding yesterday on the nicest day of the year. It's getting frustrating.
It's time for a major change. Just have to figure out what that means.
I did do 1.75 hours on the trainer this afternoon after not riding yesterday on the nicest day of the year. It's getting frustrating.
It's time for a major change. Just have to figure out what that means.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Race #2 QCW 40k time trial
Saturday was QCW's 40k TT in Alexandria Kentucky. Was billed as a fast downhill start, one major climb mid way through and you don't have to climb back up the starting downhill (at least until after the race was over). It lived up to the billing. 10 minutes into the tt and my average speed was 32mph.
It was chilly at the start so I wore gloves. Other than that, it was my usual gear for a time trial. Well not really. Since it was a new course for me, I chose to wear my Rx Oakleys so I could see. I typically don't wear glasses in time trials if I know the course.
So anyway, this race is just more training. I had no intention of being competitive but I need race efforts and what better to get that sort of effort but in a race? After the smoking start the course was rolling with an uphill trend and by the time I hit the hill I still had a decent speed. Certainly I was setting no wattage records though. I hit the hill (roughly 1.5 miles at 5% or so I was told) and my bike would not shift to the small ring. I had NEVER used my small ring in any race and maybe only once or twice on a ride. I should have checked that out before hand. I almost came to a standstill trying to shift, but I stayed upright, lost tons of time, and stood almost the entire climb. By the top, I was done. Done. Done. Luckily, it was big downhill the next 1.5 miles. I topped out at 46.2mph and ran out of gears. Struggling with lack of oxygen (no lungs) and lactate (no legs), I gutted out the last several miles on will power alone. The finish came none too quick and I rested for 5 minutes before hitting the climb to get back to the parking lot. I hand shifted to the small ring before going up though. 22.8mph average. Sad wattage at 220 (average).
If I hadn't been riding in West Chester the last month, the hill would have completely destroyed me. Luckily (?) it's all hilly riding down here so I'm getting used to climbing.
It was chilly at the start so I wore gloves. Other than that, it was my usual gear for a time trial. Well not really. Since it was a new course for me, I chose to wear my Rx Oakleys so I could see. I typically don't wear glasses in time trials if I know the course.
So anyway, this race is just more training. I had no intention of being competitive but I need race efforts and what better to get that sort of effort but in a race? After the smoking start the course was rolling with an uphill trend and by the time I hit the hill I still had a decent speed. Certainly I was setting no wattage records though. I hit the hill (roughly 1.5 miles at 5% or so I was told) and my bike would not shift to the small ring. I had NEVER used my small ring in any race and maybe only once or twice on a ride. I should have checked that out before hand. I almost came to a standstill trying to shift, but I stayed upright, lost tons of time, and stood almost the entire climb. By the top, I was done. Done. Done. Luckily, it was big downhill the next 1.5 miles. I topped out at 46.2mph and ran out of gears. Struggling with lack of oxygen (no lungs) and lactate (no legs), I gutted out the last several miles on will power alone. The finish came none too quick and I rested for 5 minutes before hitting the climb to get back to the parking lot. I hand shifted to the small ring before going up though. 22.8mph average. Sad wattage at 220 (average).
If I hadn't been riding in West Chester the last month, the hill would have completely destroyed me. Luckily (?) it's all hilly riding down here so I'm getting used to climbing.
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