| Ride Stats |
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Distance:
33.81 miles
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Altitude Gain:
1,918 ft
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Avg Speed:
20.58 mph
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Route:
Addison Racefest
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Avg Grade: 0 %
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Max Grade: 0 %
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Max HR: 0 bpm
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Avg HR: 0 bpm
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Terrain: Road: Hills
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Bike: Look 585 Carbon Road
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Club: Schuyler County Cycling Club |
| Weather Conditions: Sunny 65 F SE wind @ 7 mph |
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Beautiful day for my second race of the year in Addison , NY. I have been racing the this one for nearly thirty years and it is almost always enjoyable. It was sunny and temperatures were in sixties. It was a little on the windy side but considering in years past my hands were two cold to shift and had to finish the course in whatever gear was my last successful shift. Had another poor turnout this year with between forty and fifty starters. Had two teammates at the race and half the participants were familiar faces. Bad news this year was a five mile controlled start on the thirty mile hilly course due to a bridge under repair. We thought this would be a crash fest since we would not be able to burn off the questionable riders with a high speed mad mile, but first few miles went off without a hitch. First move after the construction was made by a strong rider from one of the PA teams. Saw Iron Doug and Mighty Young Joe head toward the front and went up with them. Figured I was outclassed on this hilly course but had enough miles in I would have energy to spare and took a long uphill pull on the front and reeled him in just before making the turn into the first of several hills on the true climbing section. Found I didn't have any climbing legs on as soon as Iron Doug made a move off the front on the climb. Was unable to stay with him nor another ten or twelve riders and got caught with the stragglers. Chased hard through some rollers and made no headway and the only result was getting dropped from a group of three other racers on a small climb after I'd pulled a long downgrade. The small group stayed about thirty seconds ahead of me and although I could match their pace I couldn't catch up to them. Thought I might catch a break as I rolled up to the steep "wall section" of the climbs when Mighty Young Joe pulled up to me. Thought if we could get over the hill together we could use our combined bulk and work together to pull the front groups in on the last ten miles of downgrade. Didn't work out well though as Joe had burned himself catching up to me and had a really poor climb. Had a weak climb myself but opened up a minute gap on Joe and held the gap to the riders ahead. Didn't look forward to time trialing the last few miles especially when I was close enough to see the few ahead comfortably rotating their pulls. Legs were strong enough to stay between the two groups. Rode strong to the last mile or two when it was obvious I would not catch the group ahead and backed off the pace figuring I wouldn't get caught and had another race tomorrow. Almost was a mistake as I pulled into town and saw a couple of riders were right behind me and closing fast. Got out of the saddle and put in enough effort not to get caught. Ended up a rather disappointing 14th overall when I should have been able to finish in the top ten. Iron Doug took third overall after getting caught by three riders after the climbs only to be dropped and time trial in himself. Mighty Young Joe finished 16th overall. Had a good time and rode strong overall but had no climbing legs and little speed.
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