Housatonic Hills
Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 03:15PM Have not posted in a while so thought I'd share my Housatonic Hills experience. This was actually the race that got me interested in racing two years ago when I had the pleasure of marshalling the Pro race in 2008 when Justine Lindine won and Eneas took fourth. So it has been on the "to do" list for me since then.
Overall not a great day but had several positives to take away.
The day started badly when I lost my chain at the very first right hand turn as we made our way up the race neutral first climb. I hopped off and got it back on but for the next few hundred meters had trouble with several mis-shifts and other difficulty - thinking at one point the shifter was stuck and my day was over. I eventually got it underway but now had to practically sprint uphill to try and get on the back of the group. By the time I finally got close, we had reached the summit of the first climb and so as the speed picked up, now virtually out of breath and without the benefit any other riders to share the load, the peleton started to pull away. At the first flat part of the course I could see them getting further away. I tried all I could to catch up but to no avail, ultimately loosing visual contact along the way.
Knowing I was probably not going to catch back up but deciding that I would at least put in my best effort, I rode hard, passing a few people, never finding any other riders to work with and crossing the finish line alone.
The positive that I took away, and thank god for power taps, was that the data showed that I rode about as hard as I could setting new peak power records for 2,3,4,5 and 10 minutes and an overall power level that is 90% of my TT power output. So even though I can't say really raced today I take away a good feeling about having put in a performance where I gave it what I had.
The best part though was that upon returning home, my family was here with smiles and a big "Happy Fathers Day"!
So Happy Dad's Day to all of the other Targetraining fathers and I hope you had better luck if you were racing.
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