AM: 3 hours 40'.
Spring R&R 57 Mile Gravel Race
18.2 MPH, 250 Watts (259 Wighted) HR 155.
This was the course I did on Monday. Cold to start and it had rained a bit the night before and in the morning. The roads were okay in places but a bit gritty in others and we did get a little rain during the race. Overall, I was only about two minutes faster than when I did the course on Monday, but the conditions were slower. Just kind of diappointing becaause, like running, you should be running (riding) close to what you do on race day. My average power and HR were a good deal higher, so I know the effort was higher.
I needed to get out with the lead group on the single file section to start on the Polly Ann. I need to be more aggressive at the start of a small race. 6 or 7 guys were out front and there was a guy ahead of me that let a gap open up and that was the last I saw of the leaders. A few guys passed me and we traded the lead for a bit and barked at one guy, apologizing after I realized he was on a single speed and that is why he wasn't able to maintain a constant pace. Still, it was pretty annoying as I wanted to work in the group of three we had.
I ended up dropping one of them and working to catch the chase group I eventually could see ahead after maybe the halfway mark (I know if was just after crossing Rochester Road that I could see them). I knew one of the guys in that pack and one was a teammate that I didn't recognize. We worked together for a while, but I really wasn't happy with the pace as I was working, but I didn't feel like I was at full race effort. It started to rain and things were kicking up and I could hear people's rotars complaning a bit. On one of the last northern headed roads we started to drop two of the guys, so I went and started to press a bit. The other guy came with me and stayed on my wheel for a while as I could sense him there every once in a while or see him. I decided I had pulled him enough and then started to put power to the pedals and press and dropped him and then kept pressing and eventually I didn't see him. I knew my placing was decent but I wasn't sure how far up I was. I assumed top 10, but had no idea.
I really got a solid effort in in that last few miles and never really slowed. It was cool, so I didn't have much sweat and I got in two gels and almost all of my 34 ounces of Maurten 320, which I would kill to have access to in a marathon!
The last half mile is on the Polly Ann and it was exceptionally greasy, which I was planning on. Finished slowly on the last grass section, apparently 5th overall (a very small race). I did manage to put 2+ minutes on the next guy and a few more behind that.
Quads were complaining a bit, but I cooled down for about 20'. I managed to lose my car key, somewhere in the car I think. Looked everywhere. Called Megan and she brought my valet key. I was pretty mad at myself. Oh well.
First gravel race since I think July or August and first bike race since last November. I think I am more comfortable on the bike and definitely fitter. This was toward the tall end of what became a 21-hour training week, so I guess this was pretty good.
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