As a newbie who
1) possesses only one bike
2)has only been riding steadily for 14 months
3) uses his LBS for almost all repairs
4) knows only the acronym LBS &
PR
joining in the discussions are unlikely most of the time...
However, if you would indulge me, I WILL relate my 1st cycling 'EVENT' from yesterday:
From May - Sept, the Brazos Valley Cyclists (actually Willie Allen, the treasurer) sponsors a Time Trial (known as TT in cycle lexikon). This is a 10.67-mile ride. So I showed up yesterday on my Boulder SE with knobby tires. There were 28 of us! Two groups, basically, us older guys 50+ and some college kids. Everyone had nice road bikes with skinny tires except me. That meant that I went 1st, of course.
Made the 1st half to turnaround in 18:36 with the wind at my back. Temps at 91 degrees, relative humidity around 50 %. Then turned south and the south/southeast wind at 10 - 15 MPH made my return speed at 20 minutes for a grand total of 40:26. My goal (set in complete ignorance) was to break 40 minutes. The course is a divided highway with good shoulders but there were still 8 flats among the 28 riders. Best time was a kid from the LBS who did it in ca. 25:15.
What did I learn from this?