bruce19 |
09-28-12 05:00 AM |
One small victory
Every year I set a course of about 15-18 mi. from my house that I call my TT. I try to ride it about once a week to see how I'm progressing. In reality I get to ride it about once every two weeks. This year's TT is 17.5 mi. and relatively flat for where I live. Most people would call it " a little hilly with nice flats and no 'alps.' " Last year my best ride on this course was around 16 mph and this year I had only ridden it twice until yesterday. My best, on a windless day, was 16.5 mph. I've been off on a motorcycle trip so I hadn't ridden in 10 days but decided the season is ending so I'd better get one last TT in. So off I went at full tilt on a beautiful day with some crosswind. Got to some early marker points about 30 seconds faster than I've ever done before. I was really cruising and getting ready to turn into a mile long straight that signals the fastest part of the TT. As soon as I turned onto the straight I was hit with a significant headwind. Where I usually am at 27 mph I was at 24 mph and eventually slowed to about 19 mph on a slight upgrade. From there I was battling some kind of headwind every step of the way home. Still, when I got home I had done the TT at 17 mph and that's the fastest I've ever done that ride. So...one small victory and a good way to end my TT season. Jumped on the Ducati and met some friends for beer and nachos. Just one more reason I ride. Another good day. At age 66 this is very encouraging. I'm feeling faster not older. :)
|