The sun poked out (and the wind) for the 4th annual Echo “Red to Red” Mountain Bike Race. The Pro / Cat 1 field had about 120 racers (see the roll out picture), and we all knew that when the roll-out hit the dirt road there would be a mad dash to get a good position into the single track. I managed to hang in there with the hard-cores and hit the single track in around 10th position, definitely a great start.
After a few minutes I found myself in an ideal spot, or so I thought. The leaders were stretching out off the front and there was a sizeable gap behind me, leaving me all alone to pace the course and make the most of my energy… what I failed to factor was the giant headwind I had to tangle with for the next 30min. I might have been better off in the string of riders behind me where I could have drafted a bit on the way out. Oh well, I had a great position (and worked hard for it) so I put my head down and chugged along.For the first hour I really rode great, I was rocking up the hills, holding good speed across the flats and keeping my position. Around 1hr15min “back burn” set in and I could feel myself getting more and more open to the idea of not defending my position. By 1hr30min I was pretty much just fine with letting a few chasers come around! My legs were good but my back wasn’t interested in any more sustained efforts… at the top of every climb I was cracking, going down in flames and admitting defeat! I continued to slog it out though, crossing the line @ 2hr24min.
I finished 2nd in 45+, definitely a great ride for the first race back. My time was good enough to have placed in the top half of the Pro’s, and the guy who beat me in the 45+ (Bruce Rogers, Bend) had the overall 5th fastest time of the day (awesome!). It was cool to have Bruce at the race, as Bruce finshed 5th @ Marathon Nationals last year. Marathon Nationals (Sept) is the event where I want to get a top 5, now I know what I’ll be up against, ugh!
CTL= 84
Goal Sept 2012: 155lbs 4.5w/kg
Date..Weight..1hr Power...Power/Weight
3/5....156.......310w......4.37w/kg
2/26...157.......310w......4.34w/kg
2/5....160.......300w......4.13w/kg
1/23...162.......290w......3.94w/kg
1/9....163.......290w......3.91w/kg
1/2....164.......265w......3.55w/kg
12/19..165.......265w......3.53w/kg
12/5...166.......245w......3.25w/kg
11/28..167.......225w......2.96w/kg
11/14..169.......225w......2.93w/kg
11/7...170.......225w......2.91w/kg
