1st time for this one.
This ride is its 18th year, has route options of 7, 22, 30, 46 and 67 miles. I was registered for 67.
Lots of factors leading up to this rally that could make it a mess:
- I had not had a long ride since HHH in August of 15.
- My ongoing bike challenges. My Tri bike, that I purchased in February, was returned on April 21 to Bicycles Inc due to a crack in the top tube. After 5 weeks, I finally got it back Friday night at 6. Needless to say I'd had not time on it. But, I felt as if it needed to be the bike for the rally.
- Between the road and tri bikes, I'd only ridden twice in May, and 14 times in 2016, with the longest ride being 37 miles in April. Most of my rides had been between 10 and 22 miles. Saddle time has been lacking.
- Overall, my training has been inconsistent.
All that said, I was hopeful that today would jumpstart my training for the year.
As mentioned above, I picked up my bike last night at 6. Specialized replaced the frame, but, the bike needed to be rebuilt. Brandon at Bicycles Inc was kind enough to build my bike back to the original measurements that Tarp had worked on with me back in March. Additionally, he gave me some demo wheels to try out (https://www.specialized.com/us/en/components/roval-clx-40-rear/106084). He is willing to cut me a sweet deal on the 60mm version of these if I want them. So, the bike was built to be fast and looked great. The question would be with the motor.
I knew several people that were participating in this ride, including several from Trident, FWTri Club, and Hider.
I was out the door by 6:30 for an 8 am start. I arrived at the site by a little after 7, prepped the bike, saw several friends, and, was ready to go.
I got out to a comfortable start, but, was passed early by several of my FWTri Club buddies. Hider and I departed by mile 2.
The bike was rolling great, and I felt good in the saddle. I took advantage of the 1st rest stop, skipped the 2nd one. Having not been on the bike in awhile, I wanted to have a comfortable ride, and, wanted to manage it appropriately with nutrition, etc.
I felt good for the 1st 30 miles. I was using the aerobars on long flat stretches, and was finding some speed in doing so.
By mile 40 my lack of training was showing. My legs were tired, and my pace was slowing. I continued to utilize rest stops, and started the psychological game of checking off 5 mile increments.
At mile 55.5, when I was about to head up a hill over a bridge, I threw my chain. I had trouble getting it back on, and, honestly, had SAG come by at that point, I likely would have sagged back. I finally got it back on and continued. I stopped at the next rest stop and cleaned up my hands and bike. I saw couple of my Trident friends at about mile 60, and talked to them briefly. Soon after, on a rough patch of road, I lost a water bottle. I stopped and picked it up, but, soon thereafter, lost the other one. I didn't bother to go back for it. I was ready to be done.
Finally, I finished. Rough day...good bike, weak motor. 67.29 miles in 4:12:58 (5:11:40 with stops) 16 mph moving time. slow.
I look forward to getting back in the saddle. I have the following bike rallies on my radar over the next few months:
6.11 Collin Classic
6.18 Tour d' Italia
6.25 Cow Creek Classic
7.9 Peach Pedal
7.30 Goatneck
8.6 Blazin' Saddle
8.13 Hot Rocks
8.13 Hot Rocks
8.27 HHH
I won't be able to hit all of these, but, hope to hit most. I had a good season of cycling last summer, and hope to do the same this year as I prep for Austin 70.3.
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