It's not too often we see back-to-back pace line opportunities... okay, so it's never happened before. It did this week, at least for John T. and me.
Roy, T-Roy, Miller, John T., and I finally got together after some small confusion over venue (vestiges of last night's discussion). I won't go into it, but I drove down Highway 60 and caught T-Roy before he got to Spring Mill. It didn't slow us much, as we headed out in the typical 5-minute grace period.
The sun was shining brightly as we left. Ah, spring! The air is clean, crisp, and the world is full of the promise of a fresh beginning, brimming with possibilities on this the cusp of a new racing season. Who can't get excited about that? Though the wind was out of the WNW and steady, what did it matter on the way out? We could enjoy the fine weather.
Then Roy got a flat. It's hard to say what got darker, Roy's mood or the sky which seemed to reflect his demeanor. It took Roy and Miller maybe 10 minutes to change the flat, but no kidding, in those 10 minutes the sky became completely overcast, and the signs of imminent rain were everywhere. Now the plan had to change.
The only way to make the county line was to pace line out. The tailwind made this easy. The only problem is when you have a tailwind out, you have a headwind in. John T. and I shared the pull on the way out. The way in was going to be a slower affair. The group decided to stay together, and a speed of 20 mph or so was chosen. Short pulls would be the order of the day.
Of course 20 turned to 21, 22, and sometimes above. I am not the only guilty party, only the first! Everyone took it above the limit, especially Roy. The only really noteworthy moment of the way back was when Roy tapped at the base of Lost River, handing to Miller. Yup, there are a couple of you reading right now who just rocked your head back and said, "OOOOhhhhhh...." Ordinarily this move would have been fatal, but Miller was kind and eased up the hill.
Light was quickly fading, and we were forced to take the highway back to Mitchell. This was the other noteworthy part of the ride, because John T. pulled it all the way back, into the wind, at a fairly good clip. This guy is STRONG!
Last Night
Okay, I've read a couple of comments from a couple of you guys regarding your efforts in last night's time trial... let's get some perspective here. John T. rode over 27 mph. Scott rode 26.7 mph. Jimmy and Rand rode 25.1, and Allen rode 24.3. I can remember times when the entire group, at its peak, working together couldn't hold 25 mph. 26.7 mph would have been KOM for most of the year last year. I can remember not being able to break 24 mph as an individual. In short, everyone did great. Everyone is in great shape. Yes, we were wind-aided last night, no doubt about it. Pull a couple mph's off your speed. Could your really be disappointed with that for a ride at the end of March? I can't see it. I'm excited for everyone, scared of everyone, and realize that I have to be on my game or get left behind. THAT, my friends, is one of the many ways working out with this group helps us all.
By all means, keep working hard. Don't beat yourselves up... be positive!
Roy, T-Roy, Miller, John T., and I finally got together after some small confusion over venue (vestiges of last night's discussion). I won't go into it, but I drove down Highway 60 and caught T-Roy before he got to Spring Mill. It didn't slow us much, as we headed out in the typical 5-minute grace period.
The sun was shining brightly as we left. Ah, spring! The air is clean, crisp, and the world is full of the promise of a fresh beginning, brimming with possibilities on this the cusp of a new racing season. Who can't get excited about that? Though the wind was out of the WNW and steady, what did it matter on the way out? We could enjoy the fine weather.
Then Roy got a flat. It's hard to say what got darker, Roy's mood or the sky which seemed to reflect his demeanor. It took Roy and Miller maybe 10 minutes to change the flat, but no kidding, in those 10 minutes the sky became completely overcast, and the signs of imminent rain were everywhere. Now the plan had to change.
The only way to make the county line was to pace line out. The tailwind made this easy. The only problem is when you have a tailwind out, you have a headwind in. John T. and I shared the pull on the way out. The way in was going to be a slower affair. The group decided to stay together, and a speed of 20 mph or so was chosen. Short pulls would be the order of the day.
Of course 20 turned to 21, 22, and sometimes above. I am not the only guilty party, only the first! Everyone took it above the limit, especially Roy. The only really noteworthy moment of the way back was when Roy tapped at the base of Lost River, handing to Miller. Yup, there are a couple of you reading right now who just rocked your head back and said, "OOOOhhhhhh...." Ordinarily this move would have been fatal, but Miller was kind and eased up the hill.
Light was quickly fading, and we were forced to take the highway back to Mitchell. This was the other noteworthy part of the ride, because John T. pulled it all the way back, into the wind, at a fairly good clip. This guy is STRONG!
Last Night
Okay, I've read a couple of comments from a couple of you guys regarding your efforts in last night's time trial... let's get some perspective here. John T. rode over 27 mph. Scott rode 26.7 mph. Jimmy and Rand rode 25.1, and Allen rode 24.3. I can remember times when the entire group, at its peak, working together couldn't hold 25 mph. 26.7 mph would have been KOM for most of the year last year. I can remember not being able to break 24 mph as an individual. In short, everyone did great. Everyone is in great shape. Yes, we were wind-aided last night, no doubt about it. Pull a couple mph's off your speed. Could your really be disappointed with that for a ride at the end of March? I can't see it. I'm excited for everyone, scared of everyone, and realize that I have to be on my game or get left behind. THAT, my friends, is one of the many ways working out with this group helps us all.
By all means, keep working hard. Don't beat yourselves up... be positive!
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