Road Bike Racing - Won My First Race!

Well cause I was the only one doing the 20K TT :)

My goal was to do it under 40 mins, and ended up doing it in 38:43. Here is the link to my run - http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/2715544

This was the fastest ride I have done solo or in a group. Wanted to avg 20mph, but the wind just took too much out of me.

I must say that it was a very hard effort, yet alot of fun! I didn't know what to expect at all, but everyone was very helpful and willing to offer advice.

I started last, and this was a good thing in case I fell at the start. I started off too fast. I don't think your first mile is suppose to be your fastest. We had a decent tailwind on the way out, but I didn't want to push it too hard and not make it back. Once I found a cadence and speed the first six miles just clicked by, I even passed one of the 40K guys, but the return trip was intresting with a 8-12mph wind. It was very diffcult for me to find a speed and keep it. Also every small hill seemed like a mountain towards the end. I can safely say I didn't have anything left at the end. Next month's TT I am going to shoot for under 37 mins. I also rode in the Drops the entire way besides my Start and Finishing Sprint (If you can call it a sprint).

Here are some of the pictures my Dad and I snapped.

Team Zipp

http://host30.hrwebservices.net/~modernm/Cycling/051307TT/teamzipp.JPG

Cousin Adam Starting (He got me into Cycling) His Zip Rear wheel got a flat yesterday so he had to use his training wheel.

http://host30.hrwebservices.net/~modernm/Cycling/051307TT/adamstart.JPG

Here I am about to take off, and hopefully not fall over since this was my first time doing this sort of start.

http://host30.hrwebservices.net/~modernm/Cycling/051307TT/mestart.JPG

Me all done!

http://host30.hrwebservices.net/~modernm/Cycling/051307TT/mefinish.JPG

One of the Team Zipp guys finishing. I think his time was 53 mins and some change. Most of the local TT guys said they where a min or two slower than normal due to the wind.

http://host30.hrwebservices.net/~modernm/Cycling/051307TT/zippfinish.JPG

All in all it was a blast other than getting up at 5:30am. Very fun to blast through stop lights with the police stopping traffic for ME I felt like a pro racer!

I think it is safe to say I'm hooked!

Congrats, just goes to show equipment isnt everything.


Props to your cousins leader :D

Congrats, just goes to show equipment isnt everything.


Props to your cousins leader :D

That was another thing I enjoyed was seeing all the different kinds of bikes people use. Most were Cervelo's, but there was a sweet Softride. Those things just look like they are going to break at any moment.

Yeah My cousin's Leader is a very nice frame. I love the way it looks with the Zipp Disc on the back.

What is on the back of your cousin's bike?

Or is that stuff in the yard...can't tell from the photo.

What is on the back of your cousin's bike?

Or is that stuff in the yard...can't tell from the photo.

It is some Hydration system he uses. It is suppose to be more aero since it is behind him. There is a straw near his handlebars so he doesn't have to get out of postion to drink. Couple other people had some similar to his.

It is some Hydration system he uses. It is suppose to be more aero since it is behind him. There is a straw near his handlebars so he doesn't have to get out of postion to drink. Couple other people had some similar to his.

I thought thats what it looked like. Looks tacky but i cant deal with the camel on my back, clever.

Hey congrats Ryan...way to go!! That looks like alot of fun...unless you're an old, out of shape fat guy like me:D :D

Cheers,

Brian

Good job man.

Richard

Congrats, just goes to show equipment isnt everything.

Um, equipment ISN'T everything, but how does this story illustrate it? Dude was first place in a field of 1.

Congrats anyway--No safer way to get hooked on racing than doing it solo. Welcome to the addiction. :beer:

I thought thats what it looked like. Looks tacky but i cant deal with the camel on my back, clever.

He says he is going to paint it black.

Um, equipment ISN'T everything, but how does this story illustrate it? Dude was first place in a field of 1.

Congrats anyway--No safer way to get hooked on racing than doing it solo. Welcome to the addiction. :beer:

Yeah I'm addicted, I still want to try a Road Race although to be honest I'm somewhat scared of crashing or getting crashed. At least with TT you don't worry as much about that. No excuses in TT just you :)

Um, equipment ISN'T everything, but how does this story illustrate it? Dude was first place in a field of 1.

Congrats anyway--No safer way to get hooked on racing than doing it solo. Welcome to the addiction. :beer:


Hrmm, somehow i missed that point (despite the fact that it was in the first line). BF beware, if you thought i was stupid before, just wait and see how i get during the summer :D

4 months of nothing...yay

Yeah I'm addicted, I still want to try a Road Race although to be honest I'm somewhat scared of crashing or getting crashed. At least with TT you don't worry as much about that. No excuses in TT just you :)

Word of Wisdom #1: TT is for wussy.
Word of Wisdom #2: Remember, I race bike. Getting hurt and crashing are given.

Word of Wisdom #2: Remember, I race bike. Getting hurt and crashing are given.

:D I would like to avoid this if at all possiable.

Congratulations! :beer:

Word of Wisdom #1: TT is for wussy.
Word of Wisdom #2: Remember, I race bike. Getting hurt and crashing are given.

And we wonder why R600 doesn't show up 'round these parts any more. It appears as if the students have become the teachers.

I don't think Softrides are legal for racing.

What is on the back of your cousin's bike?

Regardless of what other posters may tell you, that's not a hydration system. It's a catheter. Nothing worse than having to stop to take a piss during a TT.

--Steve

Regardless of what other posters may tell you, that's not a hydration system. It's a catheter. Nothing worse than having to stop to take a piss during a TT.

--Steve


To be honest what he was drinking smelled worst than piss :)

I don't think Softrides are legal for racing.

Not UCI legal, but the USCF's rules are nowhere near as stringent. In fact, I don't even think they require a diamond-frame bike.

Not UCI legal, but the USCF's rules are nowhere near as stringent. In fact, I don't even think they require a diamond-frame bike.

That's true right now. In 2008, the USCF will adopt UCI rules regarding race-legal bikes.