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07-21-08, 03:21 PM
New York State RR championships. Pretty anemic 35+ field with only 13 guys. 54 miles, 5 laps of a ten mile loop. One major climb (~800 feet over ~1.5 miles) and one small hill before the line. First time up the big hill the pace was enough to shell all but 6 of us. The second time up the hill lost another and were down to five. By the last lap we were still at five at the base of the climb. I was feeling good the whole day and paid close attention to my rivals to the point where I knew there was only one other guy whole looked faily comfortable (and who had a strong history of doing well locally and at masters nationals).
On the last lap at the base of the climb (~6 miles from the finish) I attacked the group and put in a hard effort to the top where I had almost a minute. From the top of the hill it was essentially rollers, two turns and a small hill to the finish. I got into TT mode and just churned away ... felt really good. At the first turn I ran into a slight hiccup. On previous laps we'd been taking the exit wide across the yellow line. The marshals were stopping oncoming traffic to allow us to do this and it was great considering it was a fast corner. Well, I shouldn't have taken it for granted again because just as I entered the turn I noticed a car sitting right at the exit in the opposite lane and I was carrying too much speed!! I did everything I could to scrub speed short of putting my feet on the ground, but in the end had to lay the bike down. I wound up sliding to a stop 2 feet from the bumper ... whew! I got up quickly assessed the damage threw the chain back on and got back on track. Of course that whole process probably only took ~20 seconds, but felt like 10 mins. Pumped with adrenalin, I rode strongly to the finish and won by ~15 seconds or so.
Now for the damage;
Rash to the arm and hip = no big deal
Broken thumb which will require two pins on Wed = suckage
Winning the state champs in my age group = priceless
-mark
I love this sport.
On the last lap at the base of the climb (~6 miles from the finish) I attacked the group and put in a hard effort to the top where I had almost a minute. From the top of the hill it was essentially rollers, two turns and a small hill to the finish. I got into TT mode and just churned away ... felt really good. At the first turn I ran into a slight hiccup. On previous laps we'd been taking the exit wide across the yellow line. The marshals were stopping oncoming traffic to allow us to do this and it was great considering it was a fast corner. Well, I shouldn't have taken it for granted again because just as I entered the turn I noticed a car sitting right at the exit in the opposite lane and I was carrying too much speed!! I did everything I could to scrub speed short of putting my feet on the ground, but in the end had to lay the bike down. I wound up sliding to a stop 2 feet from the bumper ... whew! I got up quickly assessed the damage threw the chain back on and got back on track. Of course that whole process probably only took ~20 seconds, but felt like 10 mins. Pumped with adrenalin, I rode strongly to the finish and won by ~15 seconds or so.
Now for the damage;
Rash to the arm and hip = no big deal
Broken thumb which will require two pins on Wed = suckage
Winning the state champs in my age group = priceless
-mark
I love this sport.