Sunday, March 24 was when it all went down. Cold but sunny, and a nice little wind that came from the north. Just to meant to be a fun race for me to get back into the mix of things, and relearn what its like to suffer after a long winter. The race started and ended in Elmira, had a 6km section of rail trail from hell (that we rode out and then coming back in) and then the rest of the 68km route was mainly gravel road.
The rail trail was tough! We hit it just over 1km in. It was
mostly covered in snow and ice that made it hard to keep your bike under you
let alone in a straight line! It also
zapped all energy you had trying to keep the pace up, especially where the snow
had melted from the sun and you were forced to ride the soggy gravel trail. I
nearly blew up trying not to lose everyone in this section. Maybe I didn’t have
the right tire pressure, or not warmed up enough but I lost most of the main
guys here.
Once we got out of the rail trail it was a long time on mainly flat gravel roads. Here I worked really hard to catch someone to make it easier and take turns cutting the wind. As the race continued our group grew as people were popped off of the lead group. I didn’t mind it as it gave me more time to rest after the rail trail extravaganza.
With about 5km to go to the ride back in to the rail trail my legs were feeling the effects of a hard fought ride, and a long road section into the wind. Might not have helped that I couldn’t get my meaty gloves into my jersey pocket to grab my gel. With the help of fellow CoachChris.ca/TedVelikonja rider Jeff Landry, I was able and motivated to stay with the group at least until the rail trail. The pace picked up a bit here and some of the riders started to drop off. The group was maybe cut in half by the time we hit the rail trail.
Once we got out of the rail trail it was a long time on mainly flat gravel roads. Here I worked really hard to catch someone to make it easier and take turns cutting the wind. As the race continued our group grew as people were popped off of the lead group. I didn’t mind it as it gave me more time to rest after the rail trail extravaganza.
With about 5km to go to the ride back in to the rail trail my legs were feeling the effects of a hard fought ride, and a long road section into the wind. Might not have helped that I couldn’t get my meaty gloves into my jersey pocket to grab my gel. With the help of fellow CoachChris.ca/TedVelikonja rider Jeff Landry, I was able and motivated to stay with the group at least until the rail trail. The pace picked up a bit here and some of the riders started to drop off. The group was maybe cut in half by the time we hit the rail trail.
This time through it was even worse. More snow melted and
less hard pack which was easier to ride on. A lot of sluggish, soggy rail trail
that you had to grind through. The mud built up on my crank set and I had no
access to my bottom chain ring. The only way I could think of describing it was
that it felt like you were riding up a 12% grade, but mentally tougher because
you could tell the ground was flat. I pushed through knowing the finish line
was on the other side.
Overall finished 44th, and 6th in my age group. Was 4th going into the rail trail section but feeling the effects of a bad start, the legs were quitting on me. Maybe some food would have helped, but it definitely felt like an accomplishment finishing. One of the hardest finishes I think I have ever done, and it was great to sit around after and talk with everyone about how bad the rail trail section was. It made you feel better that you didn’t suffer alone!
Racing resumes this Friday for the Good Friday RR. Second weekend of 4 weekends straight of racing goodness!
Results: http://www.ontariocycling.org/web_pages/results/20130324-214531-snresults.htm
Overall finished 44th, and 6th in my age group. Was 4th going into the rail trail section but feeling the effects of a bad start, the legs were quitting on me. Maybe some food would have helped, but it definitely felt like an accomplishment finishing. One of the hardest finishes I think I have ever done, and it was great to sit around after and talk with everyone about how bad the rail trail section was. It made you feel better that you didn’t suffer alone!
Racing resumes this Friday for the Good Friday RR. Second weekend of 4 weekends straight of racing goodness!
Results: http://www.ontariocycling.org/web_pages/results/20130324-214531-snresults.htm
Garmin data: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/288516926
Hopefully Pics to come if I find any, but heres this gem someone made:
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