And then the next day to make it up to my missus
My missus, watched me peel myself off the bike, called me a bloody idiot and went shopping
And then the next day to make it up to my missus
I expected today's race to be painful -- I was still sore from yesterday's effort. But with the kids & wife out of the house and a bit of a break at work I hopped on the bike for the TFC race. Same course as yesterday -- 7 laps Volcano CCW. The most notable difference was this was a categorized race so everyone had a nice category identifier. The different cats were in different pens, but all started at the same time AFAICT. As a result there was near immediate mixing of groups.
I was a bit concerned I'd gone too hard at the start as we were mixing with a few A riders, but they pulled away and I was in a group of maybe 15, mostly Bs and a small number of Cs. A couple Cs were up the road, but I figured they were likely going to DQ or blow up, so I ignored them.
With fewer riders and I suspect fewer strong riders, the pace wasn't as painful as yesterday. It would be a stretch to call it easy, but it wasn't nearly as painful as I expected. I was never in any real danger of losing the group as we slowly picked off individuals and spit them out the back. I recognized one other C rider from previous races and expected he'd be the man to beat. The other C rider in the group appeared to be going way over on W/KG. I basically tried to stick with my mark the whole race.
He got a bit away by himself once, which I watched closely, but nobody from the group went with him and it didn't look like he was really going to make an effort to catch any of the individual riders up the road. We reeled him in without a major effort. He rolled off the front with a group of 4-5 others with a couple riders ahead of them, but potentially in reach that they could work with. I quickly joined and we had a small gap on the rest of the group. I took at stint in front to see if we could work together and widen the gap, but it wasn't meant to be and we let the larger group reel us back in.
I stayed with the group through the penultimate climb into the volcano (guessing the easier pace left me with a bit more in the tank than yesterday) and through the last lap. I didnt' have a real sprint in me at the end, but I did keep up a good work rate through the final climb into the volcano and through the bumps up to the finish line.
My mark took 1st of the qualified C riders. I took 2nd, behind by about 1 second.
What was most interesting was my feeling that we were taking it a bit easier than yesterday. Yet my 5M power was highest ever, besting yesterday by 6%. 20M and 30M power were both up by around 2% (good, but not personal bests). Time was about a minute slower though (even with me at full speed on the final lap today). That probably says a lot about the effect of a large drafting group. Yesterday we were probably a group of ~25 and the lap times were noticably faster.
Expecting to wrap up the tron bike climbing next week. Probably 2-3 more efforts and I'm done.
Cheers Bob, chuffed, well I will be later. There were 122 idiots starting 26 finished, me being 25. There are some seriously fit riders, quoting HR of 116bpm, mine was always in the 150s
Sorry @bobinski
I thought you were just using an easy ride to adjust your saddle. Then after I sent that note I realized I was on the midst of a sea of the same jerseys . It was like some kind of cult of powerful riders.
I hit the Tue/Thu KISS EUR pretty consistently last year until Oct when things went to crap. I'm going to try and mix it up a bit more to add in the Wed KISS 10mile TT occasionally this year. Those slots tend to hit after my meetings are done, but before the munchkins get home.Great result. Nice.
It would be good to race with you. Have to find a race time that works for both of us
Bit late to this but well done Andy, that's super impressive stuffBroken my Zwift 100 mile virginity
I dont know why I'm typing this now
Feel a bit beaten up I feel wrecked to be honest. The pace was intense at over 26mph until eventually, I could no longer take it and went pop at mile 87. The signs were there I was beginning to feel at mile 70, but I hung in and kept near the front knowing once off the back of the pack that was it. It was painfully slow riding 15 miles solo, legs numb, everywhere numb
Off to force a protein drink down and eat, before a nap
6.05pm UK WBR (B) Watopia flat race 25miles. Anyone?
Just rode up Fox and over to the new Leith Hill climb (using the Zwift hack on the PC). Nice addition!I am sure there will be some new Surrey route rides/races popping up in next week or so. I know zsun looking to get one organised very quickly but if not I may have a bash at this Wednesday or Thursday if anyone interested and not doing the Nations Cup.
https://zwiftinsider.com/surrey-hills/
If i'm back in time and legs don't feel so tired from the 2 hours on Bkool yesterday, I might join you too. B guys will leave me easily but hey, might then get to hang with the C guysMight join you - would be my first B race if I do