First Bike Race, Kinda....
I've been so excited about this race for months! 20 mile road race as a Cat 4. First road race too. Really wasn't sure how I'd make out. My goal was to stay upright and stay with a pack. Not necessarily the lead pack, but a pack. Or any other rider for that matter....
Started off great. No issues hanging on and even thinking, this is easy. Stayed in the pack, just drafting and hanging on. At one point on a slight descent, I picked up some speed and had room to pass some peeps on the right. I was moving fast pretty easily, and decided to listen to what my bike club president said.... Have fun! So I decided to haul ass and just go with it. I knew it wouldn't last and had no intention of staying in the front all alone, but still a cool feeling to pass everyone and then just see road and the pace car in front of you! Got back into the pack once I was caught.
About 6 miles in, we caught up to the Pro123 women, which had started 2 mins ahead of us. Slackers! So we were directed to pass the entire group. As our group shifted left to pass them, someone's back wheel clipped my front and buh-bye. I should have been protecting that front wheel better and unfortunately, I only have video for the first 10 mins on the race so I'm not really sure exactly how it "went down". (Pun intended) Took out one other rider too (another triathlete from QT2) and we rolled off the side of the road. Nice thing was that it was nice and cushioned with leaves etc. and luckily I didn't hit any trees. I think I rolled a few times before stopping. Just cuts and stuff. No road rash, more like "twig rash". Either that or my pedal gauged my shin. Other girl broke her wrist though. I prob could have finished but I wasn't sure if the bike and I were truly OK. I think I was in shock too and it honestly didn't enter my mind. (And I felt bad for my new ditch friend). My fork may be bent or something so "Candy" may need some surgery....
The first 14' was @ 1.17IF. Other data is sketchy. I totally screwed up everything with an on button today. Didn't turn on bike computer, forgot HRM, didn't erase GoPro to leave enough room and I had my Garmin 910 on but forgot to turn it off after the crash... Until we had started driving home. Doh!! I'm usually much better than this... Was actually planning on using the race as an FTP test. Bummer there too.
I absolutely LOVED racing though and will def do a lot more.... next year, after IMCHoo!
Here's the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Art-v-XHU&feature=youtu.be
Here's Strava:
https://www.strava.com/activities/301230432
Started off great. No issues hanging on and even thinking, this is easy. Stayed in the pack, just drafting and hanging on. At one point on a slight descent, I picked up some speed and had room to pass some peeps on the right. I was moving fast pretty easily, and decided to listen to what my bike club president said.... Have fun! So I decided to haul ass and just go with it. I knew it wouldn't last and had no intention of staying in the front all alone, but still a cool feeling to pass everyone and then just see road and the pace car in front of you! Got back into the pack once I was caught.
About 6 miles in, we caught up to the Pro123 women, which had started 2 mins ahead of us. Slackers! So we were directed to pass the entire group. As our group shifted left to pass them, someone's back wheel clipped my front and buh-bye. I should have been protecting that front wheel better and unfortunately, I only have video for the first 10 mins on the race so I'm not really sure exactly how it "went down". (Pun intended) Took out one other rider too (another triathlete from QT2) and we rolled off the side of the road. Nice thing was that it was nice and cushioned with leaves etc. and luckily I didn't hit any trees. I think I rolled a few times before stopping. Just cuts and stuff. No road rash, more like "twig rash". Either that or my pedal gauged my shin. Other girl broke her wrist though. I prob could have finished but I wasn't sure if the bike and I were truly OK. I think I was in shock too and it honestly didn't enter my mind. (And I felt bad for my new ditch friend). My fork may be bent or something so "Candy" may need some surgery....
The first 14' was @ 1.17IF. Other data is sketchy. I totally screwed up everything with an on button today. Didn't turn on bike computer, forgot HRM, didn't erase GoPro to leave enough room and I had my Garmin 910 on but forgot to turn it off after the crash... Until we had started driving home. Doh!! I'm usually much better than this... Was actually planning on using the race as an FTP test. Bummer there too.
I absolutely LOVED racing though and will def do a lot more.... next year, after IMCHoo!
Here's the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Art-v-XHU&feature=youtu.be Here's Strava:
https://www.strava.com/activities/301230432
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Comments
Congrats...sorta
All things considered it could have been much worse, though I'm sure you and the QT2 athlete continued to validate the rep of triathletes in road racing
.
I've only done one road race and that was basically loops as a 6mi downhill and 6mi climb so right up my alley...but zero group tactics involved.
Good luck with the next race and have fun.