Tonight's post is brought to you courtesy of Wendy's of Mitchell (by virtue of my notes being written on the back of a receipt).There was a forecast of rain today, 40% until noon, and indeed it did rain. Still, by noon it was obvious the weather was going the right direction for a ride, so I stopped worrying about whether or not we would ride. Now I could start worrying about what we would ride.
We had a time trial scheduled, but as the day wore on the conditions became less and less favorable for a fast one. While the winds had been light out of the southeast at noon, by afternoon they had switched to WNW at 7-9 mph. This isn't strong, it wouldn't ruin the time trial, but it would slow it down. Wind from that direction are an exact headwind. Even though it was relatively light, it would be felt.
Eleven riders made it - I really like the direction riding is going this summer! Everyone participated in the time trial, something else that was really cool. Our methodology was to stagger everyone by one minute, starting with the least experienced rider and winding up with the presumed strongest rider. This would give 10 minutes between the first and last riders at the start, but with any luck the distance would telescope inward, and all riders would be fairly-well grouped by the end. At any rate, if done correctly, no one would have to wait more than five minutes at the finish.
The order of start, by committee decision:
WinD
Dan
Strunk
Allen
Rand
Mike
Jimmy
Galloway
John T.
Miller
IronBill
I was noticing from the pee tree to the official start of the course took most riders around 30-34 seconds. This could impact the results inasmuch as, while your official course time could be one thing, your total time could be another. If you took your sweet time getting to the start, you could give up valuable seconds that could result in your getting passed by another rider.Allen had asked me previous to the start for advice on how to ride a time trial. "Steady pressure. It's about the average, not how fast you climb, or how fast you sprint. Only the average matters." That pretty much summed it up. We noted how he went into aero right away at the start, and he looked sharp. I wondered if he was thinking about our discussion.
Speaking of aero, I thought Jimmy and Galloway in particular really dropped into a nice aero on the jump. Not much wasted effort on either one.
My turn finally came, and boy, having to chase down Miller and John T. on the same ride is a tall order. I was lucky enough to pull Miller in past Bromer, and I finally caught John T. (and Galloway) with 2 miles to go. The wind was the biggest factor here. I've ridden all winter, even when it was windy for the most part, and I am in better shape at the moment to ride the wind. Of course Miller's 12-mile run by the airport today contributed a bit too - along with a 38-mile bike last night and a 19-mile run Sunday. Yeah, he rested for this one!The wind slowed everyone down. That was expected, and really it didn't make any difference. Relative to one another, our placements were pretty much what they should have been. I do have to quote Allen again while we're talking about the wind. He suggested the wind would be an equalizer. "Quite the opposite. It will expose the weak," says I. The wind widened the gap between the relatively fit and unfit.
So, here are the results, by time. Do understand, these times are cobbled together, as most guys got away before I could write them down:
- IronBill - 25:39 - 23.39 mph
- John T - 28:15 - 21.23 mph
- Miller - 28:27 - 21.08 mph
- Mike - 28:38 - 20.95 mph
- Galloway - 29:24 - 20.40 mph
- Jimmy - 29:36 - 20.27 mph
- Allen - 30:30 - 19.67 mph
- Rand - 30:53 - 19.42 mph
- Strunk - 31:41 - 18.93 mph
- Dan - 32:41 - 18.35 mph
- WinD - 34:03 - 17.62 mph
If you flip the order of finish you can see we were pretty close to nailing it on the order of start.
Notes:
- WinD is mismatched on her bike. If she can get into something that fits better, she will pick up serious speed. Not being able to go aero really hurt her in a headwind.
- Miller is going to be a brute if he ever shows up rested, or even half rested.
- Mike - confidence! You are riding well. Enjoy it!
- Jimmy is climbing like a champ. Noticed this Sunday at Kenray.
- Rand is progressing quickly for not having ridden much at all this spring.
- Dan is getting fit as well, dropping some weight and picking up speed.
- Allen is applying all the lessons we're heaping on him. He's focused!
- Galloway is a study of efficiency. That man thinks about it every time he's on a bike.
- John T. was self-awarded with the "Wendy's Sweet Potato Award". He was disappointed (a little) with his ride tonight, the only person I overheard speaking with dissatisfaction (if only slightly). It was a great effort, it was tougher out there than it looked.
- Just getting Strunk to the ride was great, and then he followed up with a great effort.
Tomorrow's run will be from the office, and it will include a bit of speed play. I'll let Jimmy direct this one (it's his idea).
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