Smoothie104

I DNF'd today, the heat index was over 100, and it was 4 laps of an 17 mile rolling course.

I started well hydrated, and drank almost 4 full bottles before I got off.

As we started the 4th lap, I already felt like ass, and there were 4 or 5 guys strong guys about 200 yards off the front, It looked like most of the teams present had someone up there. The gap was opening as guys were trying to slow the chase. I had one teamate (Wayne) with me, who was trying to keep the damage in check going over a long rise.
It surely looked like the race winning move. I don't like moving up places on the uphills if I can avoid it, because Im the heavyiest guy out there, so I waited till we were almost over the top and tried to jump across on the tailwind slightly downhill section. My buddy Ski came with me, as he figured it was now or never.

We chased at over 35mph for a few minutes, and finally, caught onto the tail end. I actually puked a bit, but hey, that happens. So I'm shet hooking at the back trying to recover, and I turn around to see the rest of the field strung out single file. The 2 teams that missed the break seemed to take an interest in it now that it was 7 strong and full of horsepower.

A few minutes later, It comes back together..... I knew I was in trouble then, because I burned a LOT of matches trying to get across, and did not have many left.

Thankfully there was no immediate counter, but there were 2 climbs yet to come, after that It was about 4 or 5km of windswept flats to the finish. I knew if I could get over the last climb with the group, I could hide in the group and fake it the rest of the way. The roads are very very rough chip and seal on the first climb, its like some sort of Tour of Flanders shet. Guys are bouncing around all over the place, going up hill. I grit it out and get over the top, but I'm really nauseated, and light headed, plus for some reason, I'm cold. Goosebumps cold. On the downhill I drink, and slipstream up near the front, hoping to climb it slower than everyone, but still catch onto the tail end of the pack.

All I could think about was how Cipollini said he would rather die than get dropped on the Cipressa in last years Milan San Remo. Sad to say that he did, and I told myself "I ain't going out like that"

As guys start passing me I thought I was doing Ok, but about 4 or 5 guys told me to "c'mon" or "hang in there" My friend Mike said "C'mon Serg!" and I remember thinking "I can hear him, but I can't really see him" I was starting to get tunnel vision, and that my friends.. was enough. I pride myself on being able to suffer, and enduring immense amounts of discomfort, and while the mind was strong,the body said "no more"

We have a broom wagon on this course, thank god. So I stopped, unclipped, and half took a knee, half fell over, because I started to pass out. I guess it was Heat Stroke.

I got to watch the last 5k from the car, which was cool. Three guys slipped away in the last couple of K's but my teamate Wayne won the bunch sprint for 4th, which keeps us in the points hunt for the Team.

I gotta lose some weight, those rolling courses are killing me.

pearcem

wow, that's rough, but you defidently made the right call. I have had to do the same thing in running races, but not yet in cycling. Just curious, what Cat. are you, smoothie?

Devil

Yeah, that is rough. I DNFed today too. I like to jump rope for cardio/footwork, and I certainly can't do that inside my house.. so I do it outside. I usually jump rope for four rounds (five minute rounds), but I only made it through two. It's a hundred degrees outside... this weather is ridiculous.

At least you're still alive.

geneman

sucks. It's hard to know how to cope with the heat beyond just increasing your overall fitness. How tall are you and how much to you weigh?

Mark

pinky

sheet happens, how many feet of climbing per lap?

KirkeIsWaiting

I admire you for even being out there.
And then to be able to tell it so well.
thanks for sharing.

Smoothie104

6'2" 220

you know total elevation probably wasnt that much, It's not very hilly part of the country, It's the pace we ride those inclines that punishes.


Here I am last year, about 5lbs heavier than today, but not much, cause Im un-disciplined at the dinner table..

bunnyrabbit

Dang I bet you're like a freight train on the flats. I got whupped on a hill the other day by a guy who looked to be about 6'2" 170.

Smoothie104

if I could get down to 185, I'd be happy, but thats 35 lbs.... 35

lala

Have you throught about hitting the velodrome?

Trekke

You missed your calling. You are a good writer. Has nothing to do with cycling or racing.

mnutini

I was watching the Pescadero race on saturday. Well, I was basically riding through it. The pros were on their last lap and I had pulled off to the side before they came past. Some poor guy from Kodak got dropped on Stage rd. I came around the corner and he was pulled over to the side looking like he was going to puke. I felt bad for him. I wish I could have done something for him. I let the marshalls know they still had a rider back there.

gcasillo

At least you're out there giving it hell. I couldn't even bring myself to wash my car today. Like it is ever going to rain again.

Trekke

That is why it has not rained. Please wash your car

Smoothie104

Thanks!

Moonshot

Smoothie,

Enjoyed the story. Well written.

What cat are you? Was this Series 7 Perry-Roubaix?

Smoothie104

Cat 3,

No, its a training series we have down here, I have not done much USCF this year since seperated my shoulder in the spring.

Do you know of a Link to the results for the Series 7 Perry race? I heard a friend of mine won the either the pro 1,2 or the masters 35 plus.

Jaco

At the top of a long steep climb I remember looking at the ground and thinking, "either I get off the bike and sit myself down there now, or I'm going to wake up there." At the time my vision was next to nothing, I couldn't catch my breath and I was having trouble keeping my balance. Scary stuff, but it happens.

No one can say you aren't pushing yourself.

Smoothie104

Jaco, Is team Columbus still around, those guys in Purple in Yellow from Gahana?

Sco++

Nice bike.

Voodoo76

Heat can really get to ya. I had a similar thing happen to me several years ago in the OH state RR. It was so hot the seam sealer from the blacktop was sticking to my tires, had to toss a nice pair of CX's after the race. Heat and Hills, a brutal combination for a 6' 180lb frame.

Sounds like the right call Smoothie.

Jaco

Not really. Now-a-days it's just Tym Tyler (the "leader") putting on races. He does still go under the "Team Columbus" moniker though.

www.teamcolumbus.org

Voodoo76

Team Colombus. Remember riding a really hot Crit they put on in eastern OH (can't remember the town, was on my way to Masters Nats at TTown). They had a shower you could ride under set up on the inside of the front straight. Worked pretty well, jump out of the field cool off and jump back in.

Phatman

man, I thought I was gonna read that you crashed. cause crashing sucks.

Mojo GoGo

Smoothie,

Your pic reminded me about the thread on Jan Ullrich and belly breathing, you seem to have mastered the technique

Loved the story and applaud you for racing in the heat - just tell everyone "I'm not fat, I'm a sprinter" and rename your files or they'll never believe you (fatbastard28rp.th.jpg)