year #4 from me for this one. Previous ride reports here:
2013: http://riderunrepeat.blogspot.com/2013/06/collin-classic.html
2014: http://riderunrepeat.blogspot.com/2014/06/collin-classic-2014.html
2015: http://riderunrepeat.blogspot.com/2015/06/collin-classic-2015.html
Hider introduced me to this event in 2013, and, every year, we return. This ride, in its 25th year, draws almost 3000 riders each year.
While the ride had been staged in Mckinney the last few years, it was moved to Plano this year, and would start and end at Oak Point Park. I was curious to see how the new venue and route would work out.
After all of the repairs and upgrades to my new bike, I was eager to see how it would do on a long ride.
I struggled with insomnia let night, and was awake a 3. I hung around the house until about 6 and headed to Plano to prep and make the 8 a.m. start time. I hd no trouble connecting with Hider, picking up my packet, and prepping the bike before start time. We headed to the 62 mile start and waited. The 1st wave of riders were sent. The police stopped us just before the start line in order to let the cars go through the intersection. Hider and I would be at the front of the 2nd wave. We took off and immediately I lost a water bottle. I stopped and went back for it, putting me way behind the pack. I wouldn't see Hider again until the end.
The 1st 10 miles were dicey. There were several vertical seams in the roads and lots of potholes. I saw 2 significant crashes early on. While bad roads are difficult to avoid, there were no markings to identify trouble spots. Shame on you, ride organizers.
Things improved after 10 miles or so, the pack thinned out and the roads seemed to be a little better. I was able to build up some speed miles 10-25. The route took us east for about 22 miles and then began a big 18 mile loop, putting us back on the original roads to head back to the start line.
The portion over Lake Levon dam was fast and long. I made a stop at the 15.5 mile rest stop for some nutrition and headed back out. Just after leaving, I went over a lip on a bridge and launched both of my rear water bottles. Another stop was needed to retrieve them.
The bike was rolling great, and I found myself getting aero far more than in previous rides.
As we began the loop, It seemed that around each corner there was another hill to climb. The loop was challenging. I stopped at the 32.5 rest stop, fueled up, and headed back out.
The temps were heating up, and it was incredibly humid. The last half of the ride would be hot. As I was headed up a couple of hills at around mile 43, my bike was clicking and squeaking a bit. I hit the rest stop at 45.5 and had the mechanic take a quick look. It seems that he chain is rubbing the front derailleur. I'll have Brandon at Bicycles Inc take a look this week.
I pushed the pace over the dam again, and finished up about 45 minutes later.
While my pace was about the same as it was in Burleson a few weeks ago, I felt much better today. I spent more time in the aero position, pushed the pace several times, and, left knowing I will get stronger over the summer.
Hider and I connected for burgers, beers, and a Journey cover band at the finish line. Good day!
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