The 'Sunburst Showdown' was a confidence builder. I was intimidated by the size of the ski hill and wondered how I would perform. Two good sits in the morning cleaning out the old insides, breakfast, plenty of Gatorade and my energy sport drink and a few warm up runs and I was prepared as best I could be.
I held with the group through the start, the lead out or prologue as Don would call it, and slowly the others began to pass me as we thinned out. When we hit the opening climbs I was passed by the rest of my starting wave but soon found myself passing others who faltered on the climbs. And there were lots of climbs as you can see on this helmet cam video from a citizen racer. All classes raced the same course.
So a 37 minute lap followed by another of the same and a 35 minute final lap. In the second lap I noticed one of the female competitors closing in on me. In the third as we passed through the same spot I noticed she was the same distance behind. Then she started closing a bit more. I pushed myself and then I dropped my chain on a climb. The only climb in the race where I had to push my bike because I had to stop. She was closing as i put my chain back on, but after I noticed I was actually going faster pushing my bike up the hill than she was riding. A few big drops sent me flying down the course. I kept fighting to stay ahead. I'm sure she had many opportunities to catch me and pass but kept changing her mind. I had a good lead but when we crested the final small hill I didn't look back but put it in the big ring and rushed the finish line. Starting a minute or more behind me she had the better time but you have to take your victories where you can find them.
Climbing, climbing, climbing without dismounting except when I dropped my chain. Very satisfying. The female competitor pushed me for my best lap. I have to push more in the first two laps but with little to no competitors to challenge it is easy to hold back a bit. I try to hold onto the tail of groups that start to lap me in the second lap. I couldn't imagine myself finishing much better than I did.
Looking forward to the Alterra Classic. Resting today, not going to the novice ride in Hoyt Park. My recovery ride yesterday was doing my errands on my road bike and hitting the gym. I felt it afterwards. Tomorrow, Wednesday Night Racing and than looking to get in some long rides and another Wednesday Night Race and then taking it easy until Alterra.
Don't know if my results are counting towards team Cyclopath. It is a pretty informal loose group but I gave the best finishes I will be getting this year with a 7th place in my class Sunday and four laps, due to a slightly shorter than typical course, in the Crystal Ridge WEMS race. My fantasy Tour de France team, 'Cyclopak,' has dropped way behind after showing promise in some early stages.
Today, writing and prep for my next major house repair. Also going to revamp the vegetable bed in the garden. Don't know if it is the soil or the weather, but almost nothing has been growing. Taking out the topsoil, putting it in buckets, and then taking out the gravel and junk underneath to be put in buckets and disposed of. Putting back the questionable soil and then buying some new garden soil at Menard's to put on top. Will put in spinach, radishes and lettuces. Cool weather plants that harvest quickly for the rest of the year.
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