| Ride Stats |
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Distance:
26.00 miles
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Altitude Gain:
1,624 ft
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Avg Speed:
20.76 mph
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Route:
Greek Peak
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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 60 F W wind @ 4 mph |
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Had great weather for my second race of the year on the old Greek Peak course. Sun was warm and wind was light and variable. Didn't think I'd have much luck today without my race legs yet and with what little leg I have damaged by yesterday's race. Entered the Cat 4/5 race as it was the shortest at 22 miles and with a couple of good climbs. First five miles is downhill followed by a long moderate climb. Next comes a few miles of rollers followed by the wall which gets steepish at the top but really isn't very long. Once to the top of it, it is five miles of downhill\ rollers to the finish up another wall of around a hlf mile in length. Rode up the finish hill for my warmup and had absolutely nothing in my legs and figured it would be a long day. Had around 200 riders split up into six or seven races at either 66\44\22 miles on the same 22 mile loop. Races started at 5 minute intervals with the big boys going first my group of 48 4/5s somewheres in the middle. I lined up at the back of the group and figured to hang in the back until getting to the first climb on which my race would be decided. Pace was fast right off with a couple of riders going off the front. Stayed in the back for two or three miles until the pace was causing some of the weaker riders to fall off the back then spun my way up to the front ten with a mile or two to go to the hill and my legs felt great and wanted to push the pace but I sat in and waited for the hill. Took a quick right and started the ascent and I went down early losing ten positions as a couple of collegiate riders hammered up the hill with several riders in tow. Held on about half way up the hill with the second group when another surge went off and I was left behind. Just kept spinning up the hill as the race walked away ahead of me. Backed off a little and crested the hill with a small group rather than try to catch up alone. Went over the hill with a group of four with three groups of seven or eight spread out before us with twenty second gaps between the groups. Worked hard pulling with my group and we were catching the band in front of us when two of our riders started to fade. The remaining strong rider and I decided it was all or nothing and tried to bridge together. I took a strong and fatal pull that left me about ten lengths from the group ahead. My partner was able to jump ahead and successfully join the group. Next few miles had me falling back to join another group which started to pick off some dropped riders. Really hadn't gained or lost position since the first hill though I had ridden with several groups bridging to some then getting dropped from others as my legs went on and off line. Got to the wall and it was every man for himself and had a decent climb. Nothing changed after that as I was able to hold my position on the downhill and on the final finishing climb ending up a disappointing 23rd overall. Had a really good time though as I would much rather ride in a broken up field of small groups rather than in the massive pelotons like finished the 3/4 race that had 75% of the field come up the finishing hill together. Great weather, well run race, and no crashes made for a pleasant day of racing.
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