Athlete Blogs
May 31st, 2009Clarendon Cup and "clash of the TT titans"
Hey all. I guess this will be the first PE post since the main event, the NJ State TT. You guys are so into these time trials, I totally love it.Saturday was the Clarendon cup, a super fun technical crit. 1KM course, 6 turns, not a stretch of smooth pavement to be found. Lots of wheel cracking potholes and such though. 40 laps for us.
The race started out like a bat out of hell, I was first through turn 1, but Ramon Benitez came around me and drilled it like a madman for almost 2 laps. It took me a whole lap just to get fully on his wheel. It was scary how fast he was going. I took a pull, he took a pull, and by lap 3 or 4, we had a 5 man break, the elastic in the field broke. I always love to punish guys for not warming up by drilling it from the line, sets a great aggressive tone for the race. But this was single file from the start, really brutal.
In the break were two super fast sprinters, ramon, me and some other dude. no way was I towing two great sprinters to the line (they were NOT taking any pulls) - so I attacked the break wiht about 28, 30 laps to go. Immediatly got a big gap, a lap or so later the break was caught by the field.
I went on solo for the win - up to a 35 sec gap or so. I went hard the whole time, never taking for granted the gap I had, but it was great fun drilling the corners, working hard and enjoying being out there on my own. Ramon manhandled the field for second place.
Today (sunday) was the real main event of the weekend. The world championship of time trialing, the NJ state TT. I say that because it's the #1 focus for many athletes and the guys up north are totally into time trials. There is not a group of guys more into the details, training and preparation required to do well in these events anywhere in the world. Bikes setup better than TDF pros, better gluing, better cables, better everything. The best. Plus some serious horsepower behind all the detailed preparation.
My warmup consisted of sitting in the car until 20 min before my start, watching it rain. Drank a monster coffee drink, rode for about 15 minutes and hit the line. Not exactly optimal, but I hate the rain.
The race for me when like most TTs, start out fast, settle in, wonder how you will ever make it all 25 miles - hit the turn around at 24:45, smokin fast - then started on my way back. I kept watching the miles tick by, the time - I knew I was over 30mph until about 3, 4 miles to go - then the wind and slight uphill started eating into my "buffer" - I was really hoping to see sub 50 minutes. With 1 mile to go I knew I couldn't ride a mile in 1:45, no way no how. I don't want to say I gave up, but I probably didn't give 100% that final mile, final 1/2 mile. Finished in 50:24, not sure of the EXACT distance or average speed till I get home to mebane tomorrow. But overall I'm happy with the time of course - but more importantly, I really enjoyed meeting everyone, putting names to faces, spending time with good friends and doing some racing in a new part of the country. It was lots of fun, worth ever mile of the 1000 mile trip, and that is what it is all about - having fun. Next time I'll see many of you will be at nationals in Louisvile, KY in one month. I can't wait.
So contrats to everyone who acheived their goals, won their age group, rode a PR, took time off last year - great job everyone. Will - I know you were hoping for a better day but I KNOW your day will come in about 1 month from today. That jersey is yours for the taking, I hope to see you in Louisville. Vegan - better luck next time ;) Maybe more mileage is needed LOL.
The inviatation remains to anyone making their way down south to stay, visit in mebane,NC. We are one the way to A2 and have tons of fun racing in the southeast. We would love to have folks come stay with us and see what the scene is like down south.
Until next time,
Pete
