Today started with work and then a trip to the DMV to clear up tinted windows and a license plate that got lost or was stolen off the front of my car. Needless to say I had a lot of pent up rage.
I was ready to ride hard and long ... well not that long, average. I do have good endurance though. Anyhow at the start there was an older gentleman lining people up. I asked if I could start near the back, although not last, so I could have riders to pass. I figured I was in the fastest five riders. He said to me, "well we can start you near the middle." (The fastest riders start near the end so they have others to chase). Finally I convinced him to start me more near the end riders after assuring him I was a cat 1 albeit a bit out of shape due to perhaps spending a bit too much time at the happy time factory this past winter.
Today I decided to ride regular road position with just a front aero wheel. The time trial course featured rolling hills and was 9.78 miles long according to another rider's computer. Starting out I was chasing Mark G., the eventual winner, who I told the older gentlemen to let start behind me. I knew he would be faster due to the fact he spent less time at the happy time factory. Other riders appeared to have avoided the happy time factory altogether but I felt I could beat them due to the fact they had not harnessed their inner BA yet. Not only that but their grip on sanity appeared intact ... not good for a bike racer.
Once the race started I settled in for a brief period and I felt I was closing in on Mark but after a few miles he started to pull away. The wind was difficult yet again with a headwind / sidewind combination on the way out and sidewinds on the way back. The effort for me was interesting as I went from going at a good pace in a 53 x 11 on sections to sitting up on uphills barely riding 15 mph. Nonetheless I feel like I am priming myself for the weekly summer races for all important liquid carbohydrate fun juice.
After the race there was suggestion of a slight fee and a trophy for the winner at the end of the series. Mark G. suggested a 24 oz. can of Fosters with 1st place written on the front of it. Perhaps though they can aim higher and have a 40 oz. first place trophy with 36 oz. for 2nd and 24 oz. for third.
