“Wow.”
That’s not what I really said when I found out I came 2nd in my
class this week.
After
last week’s race, I just wanted another top 10, so I did intervals
on Thursday on the trainer:
On
Friday I rode with David and Keith and looked at lines, which was
important, truth be told. Overall, I picked good, fast, clean lines.
(During the race someone called out “nice lines Cannondale.”)
They always push me to my limits. I road biked Saturday and did a
short (but fast) MB ride on Sunday. Then I was resting again on
Monday.
Changes
for this week's race plan was to try and stay closer to the front of
my group at the start (I was about 10th in my class out of 40+ when
approaching the first climb I think), avoid traffic hold up's (which
I mainly did - catching B4, B3 & B2 riders on the first climb),
pass when possible (I did a couple of cool passes, including on a few
turns thanks to David’s tip on cornering – but I still need to
perfect it).
I
needed to drink more, so I used a small Camelbak, which sort of
worked, except I mixed the drink too strong and so felt a bit sick in
the second half and so finally drafted on the straights.
That
did not work out so well; the guy in my class I tried to draft kept
weaving. So I tagged on the back of David’s group for about
100yards on the back straight, then got dropped. I got to the climb
just behind the weaver, blew past on the climb and stayed in the top
ring. That fixed him!
My
times were quicker all around, and I'm not sure where I passed people
in my group. I felt overly tired on the second lap, and cramped right
at the end again while avoiding the fire truck. But I was clear of
any riders, so I coasted over the line...
I
thought I got 3rd in my class and said “no way,” but I found out
it was second. I still can’t believe it!
Another cup!
So,
before we know it, it will be race time again.
Andy
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