Only two words can describe how I did in the road race yesterday: I sucked. Yesterday was not a very good day on the bike for me. I went into the race with my main goal being to stay with the pack for most of the race. I did not acheive that goal. I didn't even come close.
The race started with a 2 mile roll out and then it was on right at the bottom of the biggest climbing section of the race. I did fine through the climb and stayed with the pack for about the next 6 miles feeling ok but I was not very comfortable being so close to so many other riders, some of which were making real bad moves in the pack and constantly bumping wheels with other people. I found my myself drifting towards the back and next thing I know I was out after only about 8 miles. After that I just didn't have the legs to get back up with them and I ended up riding with 3 others for most of the race.
The 3 other riders and me worked pretty well together for most of the race. It was actually good practice for me to get a little more used to riding with others and trading off taking pulls at the front. Somewhere around the last 10 miles of the race I looked back and it was just me and one other rider. Him and I finished off the race together.
In the end I'm not happy with my performance at all in this race. It is serving as a good motivator for me for next season. I will be doing more road racing next season. I need to get out on some more long rides with other racers to get my endurance up and to get more comfortable drafting and riding close to others. A race like I had yesterday for me won't really be acceptable again. I still have 2 mountain races left for the season and know my focus is totally on them. This week is mostly going to be spent recovering from yesterdays "race" and resting up for my race on Sat. My legs feel ok today not really sore at all but my butt is pretty sore. Not from the saddle but with just some muscle pain.
It looks like there is going to be some rain this week so I'm not sure what is in store for outdoor training or riding some more laps on the race course for this weekend.
Harp
3 comments:
Harp, It's your first year road racing, so I think you're being a bit hard on yourself. It sounds like you had a respecatble finish. Good job staying out of trouble and not crashing; I'm not sure I could ride that close to other people and not take myself (or anyone else) out.
Yeah harp lay off yourself. As Roger Penske said. One thing about racing is that they don't wait for you.
-B
You are getting in some good rides, even if the race itself sucked. You did your best, stuck it out and had a good ride.
You should try cx. I think I am going to.
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