My first bike race (TT)
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 469
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My first bike race (TT)
Yesterday was my first ever bike race. I rode my only bike, a circa 1981 30 pound chromoly with downtube shifters.
Me and My Bike:
I fancied up my bike with new pink handlebar tape, a pink kitty cat seat bag, and pink tireflys. Sadly, I was unable to locate any spokey dokes. Pink chenille pipe cleaners wrapped about the blackburn rack completed the ensemble. I was attired in light green Sidi shoes, standard black cycling shorts, a long sleeve black and white running top (similar to a bike jersey but no pockets), and helmet with kitty cat stickers on it. New black cycling gloves modified to feature a pink "meow" label sewn over the original label, and pink rhinestones on the top of the glove added a festive touch to my look.
The TT
Anyway it was billed as a 9 mile TT but was actually 9.27 miles. I think the
wind was probably 10-15 mph and it was fairly even in terms of headwind vs. tailwind.
There were a few little hills but no big mountains. The little hills were the last
three miles going into a headwind. My time according to my bike computer was 28.21
with 19.6 mph average and 28 mph max. According to the results my time was 26 something
but I'm not sure how they came up with that-I'm pretty sure my computer was zeroed at the start and I pulled it off the bike shortly after crossing the finish line. The very fastest dude finished in 19 something but most people were in the twenties. A friend of mine was surprised that I didn't finish last given the weight of my bike (official results not out yet so I don't know exactly how I fared). I tried to ride relatively fast but not kill myself. I did not feel like I was going to puke at the finish. I was told that if you don't puke or feel like you are going to, you didn't ride hard enough. After the race we all had dinner at a Mexican Restaurant. I had about 10 margaritas and several shots and ended up puking all over them- they said, "nice try but that's not what we meant". Ha ha, just kidding about that part.
Next.....
I had fun and look forward to doing more TT's, some road races, and crits (after watching a few and honing my bike handling skills- the bike club has a crit just for newbies coming up so that would be a good start). I hope to become faster with more riding (to include intervals), the arrival of my new sub-30 pound bike in a few weeks, and aerobars. Obviously a more powerful engine will be the most important improvement. Thanks for reading this!!!
Me and My Bike:
I fancied up my bike with new pink handlebar tape, a pink kitty cat seat bag, and pink tireflys. Sadly, I was unable to locate any spokey dokes. Pink chenille pipe cleaners wrapped about the blackburn rack completed the ensemble. I was attired in light green Sidi shoes, standard black cycling shorts, a long sleeve black and white running top (similar to a bike jersey but no pockets), and helmet with kitty cat stickers on it. New black cycling gloves modified to feature a pink "meow" label sewn over the original label, and pink rhinestones on the top of the glove added a festive touch to my look.
The TT
Anyway it was billed as a 9 mile TT but was actually 9.27 miles. I think the
wind was probably 10-15 mph and it was fairly even in terms of headwind vs. tailwind.
There were a few little hills but no big mountains. The little hills were the last
three miles going into a headwind. My time according to my bike computer was 28.21
with 19.6 mph average and 28 mph max. According to the results my time was 26 something
but I'm not sure how they came up with that-I'm pretty sure my computer was zeroed at the start and I pulled it off the bike shortly after crossing the finish line. The very fastest dude finished in 19 something but most people were in the twenties. A friend of mine was surprised that I didn't finish last given the weight of my bike (official results not out yet so I don't know exactly how I fared). I tried to ride relatively fast but not kill myself. I did not feel like I was going to puke at the finish. I was told that if you don't puke or feel like you are going to, you didn't ride hard enough. After the race we all had dinner at a Mexican Restaurant. I had about 10 margaritas and several shots and ended up puking all over them- they said, "nice try but that's not what we meant". Ha ha, just kidding about that part.
Next.....
I had fun and look forward to doing more TT's, some road races, and crits (after watching a few and honing my bike handling skills- the bike club has a crit just for newbies coming up so that would be a good start). I hope to become faster with more riding (to include intervals), the arrival of my new sub-30 pound bike in a few weeks, and aerobars. Obviously a more powerful engine will be the most important improvement. Thanks for reading this!!!
Last edited by Mukluk; 04-20-07 at 08:23 AM.
#2
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,271
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1426 Post(s)
Liked 692 Times
in
351 Posts
Great job getting out there and doing it!
Next time however, you do want to go hard enough to feel like you're killing yourself. It's a fine line between not hard enough, and blowing up. At the end you want to feel like you couldn't have given it one more ounce of effort, but also strong enough that you haven't cracked and slowed.
If you have a heart rate monitor, do some time trial efforts in your training and learn the HR you can hold for an exntended time without blowing up.
One way to pace yourself in a TT is to divide it in thirds. First third, ride just a notch below what you think you can really hold. If that feels ok, then in the second third, take it up to the speed/effort, you want to ride for the whole TT, and then in the last third, just gradually build until there is nothing left to give.
Next time however, you do want to go hard enough to feel like you're killing yourself. It's a fine line between not hard enough, and blowing up. At the end you want to feel like you couldn't have given it one more ounce of effort, but also strong enough that you haven't cracked and slowed.
If you have a heart rate monitor, do some time trial efforts in your training and learn the HR you can hold for an exntended time without blowing up.
One way to pace yourself in a TT is to divide it in thirds. First third, ride just a notch below what you think you can really hold. If that feels ok, then in the second third, take it up to the speed/effort, you want to ride for the whole TT, and then in the last third, just gradually build until there is nothing left to give.
Last edited by merlinextraligh; 04-20-07 at 08:07 AM.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 469
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks, I really had fun and people seemed to like my festive bike. I must admit, I felt a tad jealous of the really slick bikes that some people had- WOW did those bikes look fast!!! But I have to say; though my bike was not the fastest, I am convinced that it was, by far, the most festive!!!
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,925
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by Mukluk
Thanks, I really had fun and people seemed to like my festive bike. I must admit, I felt a tad jealous of the really slick bikes that some people had- WOW did those bikes look fast!!! But I have to say; though my bike was not the fastest, I am convinced that it was, by far, the most festive!!!
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 469
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes, I really need to do that. Before I got the new handlebar tape, I had a plastic pink and white wicker handlebar basket and silver and pink streamers..... Hmm, putting those items back on would make the bike more festive... hmmm.
#8
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,271
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1426 Post(s)
Liked 692 Times
in
351 Posts
Ok, not to be sexist or anything here, but there is something of a dichotomy. Of the original post, I focus on pacing strategy. BDG focuses on the pink tape etc. I guess we all look at the world through different filters.
#9
He drop me
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Central PA
Posts: 11,664
Bikes: '03 Marin Mill Valley, '02 Eddy Merckx Corsa 0.1, '12 Giant Defy Advance, '20 Giant Revolt 1, '20 Giant Defy Advanced Pro 1, some random 6KU fixie
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 138 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
Originally Posted by Mukluk
Yes, I really need to do that. Before I got the new handlebar tape, I had a plastic pink and white wicker handlebar basket and silver and pink streamers..... Hmm, putting those items back on would make the bike more festive... hmmm.
Because anyone you would happen to beat would be forced to kill themselves. ROFLMAO
__________________
The views expressed by this poster do not reflect the views of BikeForums.net.
The views expressed by this poster do not reflect the views of BikeForums.net.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,925
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
Ok, not to be sexist or anything here, but there is something of a dichotomy. Of the original post, I focus on pacing strategy. BDG focuses on the pink tape etc. I guess we all look at the world through different filters.
you put too much thought into it
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 469
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
Ok, not to be sexist or anything here, but there is something of a dichotomy. Of the original post, I focus on pacing strategy. BDG focuses on the pink tape etc. I guess we all look at the world through different filters.
Well I was happy to have both types of feedback! I feel that in bike racing, as well as other endeavors, it is important to be both decorative and functional.
#12
Faster but still slow
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Jersey
Posts: 5,978
Bikes: Trek 830 circa 1993 and a Fuji WSD Finest 1.0 2006
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
Ok, not to be sexist or anything here, but there is something of a dichotomy. Of the original post, I focus on pacing strategy. BDG focuses on the pink tape etc. I guess we all look at the world through different filters.
She is just one woman out of billions.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,925
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by slowandsteady
She is just one woman out of billions.
I would hope welcoming the idea of seing what someone is posting about and showing interest in what one is proud about doesnt make me one in a billion.
#15
Faster but still slow
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Jersey
Posts: 5,978
Bikes: Trek 830 circa 1993 and a Fuji WSD Finest 1.0 2006
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by blonduathlongrl
I made quite clear that my inquiry request of seing pictures of her bike is to show support to being different.
I would hope welcoming the idea of seing what someone is posting about and showing interest in what one is proud about doesnt make me one in a billion.
I would hope welcoming the idea of seing what someone is posting about and showing interest in what one is proud about doesnt make me one in a billion.
I didn't see your post until after mine was posted. I wasn't disparaging what you said. Just trying to point out that one response from one woman(any woman) is not grounds for generalizing what the other billions may do or think. It was an ignorant sexist remark that I was refering to. Nothing against you or what you said.
Really, as women we can't win. Be too nurturing, sweet or concerned with manners and appearances and you are called weak. Be a strong assertive leader who gets things done and you are called a b#tch. And for god's sakes don't make a lot of money or be intelligent. And of course, don't beat any men in a TT with pink streamers on your bike.
#18
Not obese just overweight
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 2,035
Bikes: Trek 7500fx, Cervelo Soloist
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 469
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
And of course, don't beat any men in a TT with pink streamers on your bike. [/QUOTE]
Well I didn't have my pink streamers on but I know I was faster than at least one guy.
Being better than men at various pursuits can be fun. Once I was skiing at Mammoth. There was a bunch of guys at the top of Daves run. This run is on the top of the mountain and reasonably steep (though not as steep as Hangmans). They were inching their skiis over the cornice looking down and then backing up and looking and backing up etc etc (trying to get up the balls to jump off the cornice on to the run). I skiied up. Looked over once. Backed up, pushed off and made three huge GS turns down the face. I don't think they liked that I'm a girl!!!
Well I didn't have my pink streamers on but I know I was faster than at least one guy.
Being better than men at various pursuits can be fun. Once I was skiing at Mammoth. There was a bunch of guys at the top of Daves run. This run is on the top of the mountain and reasonably steep (though not as steep as Hangmans). They were inching their skiis over the cornice looking down and then backing up and looking and backing up etc etc (trying to get up the balls to jump off the cornice on to the run). I skiied up. Looked over once. Backed up, pushed off and made three huge GS turns down the face. I don't think they liked that I'm a girl!!!
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,925
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by slowandsteady
I didn't see your post until after mine was posted. I wasn't disparaging what you said. Just trying to point out that one response from one woman(any woman) is not grounds for generalizing what the other billions may do or think. It was an ignorant sexist remark that I was refering to. Nothing against you or what you said.
Really, as women we can't win. Be too nurturing, sweet or concerned with manners and appearances and you are called weak. Be a strong assertive leader who gets things done and you are called a b#tch. And for god's sakes don't make a lot of money or be intelligent. And of course, don't beat any men in a TT with pink streamers on your bike.
Really, as women we can't win. Be too nurturing, sweet or concerned with manners and appearances and you are called weak. Be a strong assertive leader who gets things done and you are called a b#tch. And for god's sakes don't make a lot of money or be intelligent. And of course, don't beat any men in a TT with pink streamers on your bike.
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 469
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by ratebeer
If you really did hurl after the margaritas, I'm not sure if Team Skin would send you an application or refuse you one.