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09-02-12, 09:14 PM
Red Rider Races -- hang on!
Today was the Esparto Time Trial. This was my first ITT, ridden in '07, at VeloDiva's invitation. She was going to race and wanted some company. :lol:
So I borrowed a CF women's Fuji rode it Merckxx -- don't remember my time but I do remember being stoked at how hard it was and how well I finished (mid-pack WC4). That's when I realized I could be a contendah on a bike, and was thrilled to know that I could ride faster than folks 1/2 or more my age.
Borrowed equipment in subsequent years with unremarkable finishes, but as it's close, and familiar, I kept showing up.
Last year, with TT bike, pointy helmet and skinsuit, I raced and was second to VeloDiva. We scored t-shirts and had a parking lot podium photo op. Freaking awesome fun!
This year I borrowed a disc wheel, used but not abused, from our friend/wrench/multiple Ironman finisher. My training hasn't been as consistent as last year, and I had expectations of perhaps 3rd.
Cool temps, very light winds, some hills -- I wasn't prepared for how that heavy-ass wheel would slow me down on the climbs -- never stepped out of the pain cave (http://app.strava.com/rides/20619395) for repeat of last year's finish. We were both faster, so in addition to a nice T-shirt and a surprise cash payout ($18 -- paid for gas :rolleyes:), I scored a new PR.
Color me happy. And knackered. :cry: I don't know how you stage racers do it.
Today was the Esparto Time Trial. This was my first ITT, ridden in '07, at VeloDiva's invitation. She was going to race and wanted some company. :lol:
So I borrowed a CF women's Fuji rode it Merckxx -- don't remember my time but I do remember being stoked at how hard it was and how well I finished (mid-pack WC4). That's when I realized I could be a contendah on a bike, and was thrilled to know that I could ride faster than folks 1/2 or more my age.
Borrowed equipment in subsequent years with unremarkable finishes, but as it's close, and familiar, I kept showing up.
Last year, with TT bike, pointy helmet and skinsuit, I raced and was second to VeloDiva. We scored t-shirts and had a parking lot podium photo op. Freaking awesome fun!
This year I borrowed a disc wheel, used but not abused, from our friend/wrench/multiple Ironman finisher. My training hasn't been as consistent as last year, and I had expectations of perhaps 3rd.
Cool temps, very light winds, some hills -- I wasn't prepared for how that heavy-ass wheel would slow me down on the climbs -- never stepped out of the pain cave (http://app.strava.com/rides/20619395) for repeat of last year's finish. We were both faster, so in addition to a nice T-shirt and a surprise cash payout ($18 -- paid for gas :rolleyes:), I scored a new PR.
Color me happy. And knackered. :cry: I don't know how you stage racers do it.