The day started with a 6am roll out from Westland. Brian, Bryan and I car pooled, arrived and set up on team row about 8:30. The weather turned out to be pretty mild. Though it was about 36 when we arrived, the sun made it feel much warmer.
Time flew by and it was race time. After gearing up a short warm up with Nick and the Brians, it was time to line up and go. There was a sea of folks ahead of us since we all signed up pretty late in the game. I started a minute and a half behind Nick and the Brians and I was pretty pumped and ready to get the season started. So, pumped my heart rate was already at near 90 as I waiting to go off. Things moved along quickly and we were off and rolling. I'd never been to Yankee before and after a few turns, I could see why it may be a favorite on the West side. Tons of winding and twisting turns, rough down hills and plenty of climbing. It wasn't even a mile before the traffic started and I was heating up and pulling my arm warmers off. Everyone was very polite and I was trying not to be over zealous and make ridiculous and risky passes. But, I was already regretting my starting position. At a one point, I ended up grouped up in a pretty long train of riders. Which also included Bryan and Nick. After a climb which I ended up having to bail and run, I had worked my way through the pack and was on my way again. The rest of lap one was a blast. The traffic wasn't too terrible and I was only passed twice. Once at the uphill I ran and once by a guy on a full suspension that was simply way to fast on the downhills to contest with. I felt like I kept a pretty good pace. I didn't get hung up by riders too much but, some of the climbs were monsters. Torwards the end of the lap, things really opened up and I didn't have the gear to more than just keep up with the guys ahead of me.
Lap two was a different story. As lap one ended, I began to find myself on my own. Only one person catching me but, no one that I didn't seem to reel in rather quickly on the turns and hills. I was really enjoying myself and often caught up in slower traffic in the rather tight single track. Most of the lap I didn' feel like I was putting out the effort I was in lap one which seems to be proven my my heart rate data from my Garmin. I also didn't feel like I was taking the turns as well but, looks like I was carrying more speed in some of the down hills. At least according to the Garmin. The hills on the other hand were pretty tough on the next go around. I ran the hill I first ran on lap one, a long hill with an erosion mat (which I rode on lap one) and a root filled hill shortly after. I felt like I finished pretty strong after that. I was chasing a guy on a Gary Fisher that was pretty good on the down hills and evetually caught him on a long uphill section.
In the end, the performance wasn't too shabby considering it was my first race single speed and I rode at least 1/2 of second lap partially blind, without a contact. I lost it due to all of the sweat that was running down my face. Seems the head bands I wear are only good for about an hour. I also edged out a couple of people I have a somewhat secret rivalry planned with this year. But, didn't hit one of my other goals. Being to finish ahead of any women. Man, those ladies are fast. Gotta respect that.
Results: 9th in Expert 30-39
Lap1 Lap2 Total
51:42 53:14 1:44:55.9
Garmin Download
By far the best pic of myself of the day. Pretty funny actually.
All an all, the day was a great success. I heard the race had at least 600 participants and we had a great team turn out. Tom Payn blazed to a 4th place in the same expert category. Brian, Bryan and Brandon survived a few of pretty rough crashes with only some bumps and bruises, scratched bikes and a broken shifter. Bryan's was apparently at the speed of about 20 miles per hour and described by Nick as one of the best he's ever seen. As usual, Ray showed us how it was done grabbing a 3rd and putting down a heck of a time. Truely an inspiration. Joe, Nick, Scott, Dave and Roger also put in some respectable first race efforts. Haven't looked through all of the results but, there based on today's performances team bragging rights may be a tough battle and one of the most coveted awards this year.
A few pics from today. Not nearly as great as the one's Dave Smith put on on the Precision Blog but, some the same. Gotta keep up my New Year's resolution to take pics at the races this year.
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| From Yankee Springs TT - 4/18/10 |
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