A Bit of Bragging, if I May

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08-11-2011, 10:42 AM
SheFly

A Bit of Bragging, if I May

I'm not usually one to toot my own horn, but I need to share with people who will understand my enthusiasm :).

Some of you may remember that my specialty in bike racing is the TT, and our club hosts a weekly event from April to September on the same course every week. I have been participating in the CBTT (Charlie Baker Time Trial) since 2005, and have made significant time improvements over the years - some as a result of coughing up for all the right equipment :D

Last night, I rode from the house over to the event, as usual, and felt like absolute poo. I had raced a VERY muddy and wet MTB race on Sunday (that took over 3 hours due to conditions and a rear wheel that wouldn't turn on it's own), and had ridden reasonably hard with our junior development team the night before. I figured that this was just not my night, and accepted that.

Heading out on the first leg of the loop (it's a 9.75 mile course with all right hand turns and one climb), I felt good, and was surprised to see speeds in the 27 to 30 mph range without feeling as if I was killing myself. Dh started 30 seconds behind me, and it took him quite awhile to catch me, which I was surprised by. When he did go by, I made it a goal to see how long I could keep him in sight.

I maintained visual contact with DH all through the second leg of the course (woohoo!). As we made the right turn onto the final leg, I was very surprised to find myself closing the gap between us. Um - now what do I do? I shouldn't be passing him back - just not possible!

But, pass him I did. And then I floored it to see if I could maintain my position. I crossed the finish line in 23:03 - 14 seconds FASTER than my previous PR set last year!!! That equates to a 25.4 mph average speed. DH was on my heels, but never passed me back.

I am, of course, excited about the new PR, but also a bit disappointed that I couldn't find the extra 4 seconds :D. This is why I keep going BACK to the stupid TT!

I also did a search of faster times over the years. There are now only 4 women faster than me, and 2 of them have won Ironman Hawaii! Not bad company!

Thanks for letting me gloat, just a little bit.

SheFly
08-11-2011, 10:48 AM
maillotpois

Wow - that's terrific!! Congratulations!

And I used to work for a guy who said something like "If you don't blow your own horn, someone else will use it as a funnel."
08-11-2011, 10:50 AM
7rider

Sweet!!!

You can blow your horn for that one! That rocks. Congrats.

(BTW...That's not the Wednesday night TT in Ipswich, is it?)
08-11-2011, 10:56 AM
limewave

AWESOME! Congrats. I bet at that pace your DH didn't even know you had passed him. :D
08-11-2011, 11:03 AM
redrhodie

I love that post! You rock!

When Beryl Burton passed the last guy ahead of her to win the 12 hour world record, she offered him a piece of candy. What did you give your DH? ;)
08-11-2011, 11:54 AM
indysteel

Wow; that's an impressive average speed. I couldn't even come close to that in a tight pack, let alone on my own. Congrats!!!
08-11-2011, 12:36 PM
spokewench

Yahoo! You rock
08-11-2011, 12:39 PM
Desert Tortoise

How exciting, congratulations!!

Wow, the only time I can go 27-30 mph without feeling like I'm killing myself is on a steep DOWNhill.:o

Way to go She Fly:D
08-11-2011, 01:08 PM
OakLeaf

Very nice. Very, very nice. Congratulations.
08-11-2011, 01:49 PM
Owlie

Feel free to brag, Shefly! 27-30? :eek: I'm lucky if I can manage 20 on flat ground!

Good for you!
08-11-2011, 03:45 PM
Veronica

Very cool!

Veronica
08-11-2011, 04:10 PM
mudmucker

Woohooooo! Very nice. That's such an admirable accomplishment. Toot! You Studette you!! :D I can feel your enthusiasm and excitement way over here. I love when that happens...feel like crap then pull something from within and come up smelling like a rose.

BTW, how have your teenagers been doing? No more mishaps I hope :p
08-11-2011, 10:27 PM
Ered_Lithui

That's awesome! Congratulations!
08-12-2011, 03:46 AM
SheFly

Thanks, all! I am still pretty pumped up about this.

7rider - this is the TT in Concord, not Ipswich.

redrhodie - the best I could manage for my DH was at the finish, and it was "Are you ok?" in an incredulous voice :D.

mudmucker - the mishaps unfortunately continue. These kids just cannot keep the rubber on the road! It's still really fun, and thankfully, everything since our concussion incident has been relatively minor.

So, DH is now talking about buying some time in a local wind tunnel to see if I can find that extra 4 seconds. Might be worthwhile ;).

SheFly
08-12-2011, 05:24 AM
redrhodie

Ha! Your dh sounds like a keeper. Bring him a tootsie roll next time. ;)
08-12-2011, 06:02 AM
margo49

Well done...YOU fly!
08-12-2011, 09:47 AM
bellissima

Congrats! Personal records and time improvements are great, plus getting your significant other in the process is a big bonus ;) I haven't been able to beat him yet, but I am getting closer every time. Cheers
08-12-2011, 10:09 AM
SadieKate

Nice work! Feel free to shout from the mountain top!
08-12-2011, 01:21 PM
Sardine

Enjoyed your post. Congratulations!
08-12-2011, 01:32 PM
azfiddle

Great- I could go that fast with strong tailwind... maybe!
Enjoy the moment
08-12-2011, 03:51 PM
Crankin

There is no problem tooting your own horn... especially here.
OK, so tomorrow when I am riding I will be thinking of that 24.5 average when I am going up the hill on Monument St. :).

My friend commutes home from Bedford and last week he got caught up with some of the TT riders. He had no idea what was going on (he doesn't always ride on the same days, so I guess he had never seen this) and a few of the riders started yelling at him! He deduced from the aero helmets what was going on, but he said he was pretty startled.
08-12-2011, 05:15 PM
wavedancer

Awesome Job!! I just started doing some TT and feel pretty proud of myself if I average over 20. You are an inspiration!
08-18-2011, 07:08 AM
SheFly

So, last night was MTB Championship night. DH was kind enough to slap some gears on my 29er SS for the occasion (last year, I raced it on my FS 26er with no lockout...).

I bettered last year's time by 28 seconds :D. Thanks, honey! Oh, and second year champ...

SheFly

p.s.
Apparently DH and our race sponsor have a new goal for me - I need to lose 22 seconds from my latest PR (remember - just last week) to get onto the records page. No pressure there! :eek:
08-18-2011, 11:36 AM
Catrin

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheFly

So, last night was MTB Championship night. DH was kind enough to slap some gears on my 29er SS for the occasion (last year, I raced it on my FS 26er with no lockout...).

I bettered last year's time by 28 seconds :D. Thanks, honey! Oh, and second year champ...

SheFly

p.s.
Apparently DH and our race sponsor have a new goal for me - I need to lose 22 seconds from my latest PR (remember - just last week) to get onto the records page. No pressure there! :eek:

Wooot! Congratulations for winning the second year on a row!
08-19-2011, 06:50 AM
redrhodie

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheFly

I need to lose 22 seconds from my latest PR (remember - just last week) to get onto the records page. No pressure there! :eek:

It's about time you're done resting on your laurels. ;)

Thread hijack, I went to watch a crit race this week. It's local, on a track .9 miles long, no curbs, no traffic, grass on the sides. There were only a few women. The B race is a half hour long. It didn't look scary. I could tell the course didn't suit me, dead flat and by the ocean, so windy. If I decide to try it, I'll be going in with the goal of not getting dropped. Does one have to have more drive than that to race? Can it be fun for someone who doesn't have much of a competitive streak? What do you think?
08-19-2011, 06:52 AM
Veronica

Quote:

Originally Posted by SheFly

So, last night was MTB Championship night. DH was kind enough to slap some gears on my 29er SS for the occasion (last year, I raced it on my FS 26er with no lockout...).

I bettered last year's time by 28 seconds :D. Thanks, honey! Oh, and second year champ...

SheFly

p.s.
Apparently DH and our race sponsor have a new goal for me - I need to lose 22 seconds from my latest PR (remember - just last week) to get onto the records page. No pressure there! :eek:

Woohoo for you! Where's the mtb write up on your blog? :p Details please about your awesome race!

Veronica
08-19-2011, 08:04 AM
SheFly

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrhodie

It's about time you're done resting on your laurels. ;)

Thread hijack, I went to watch a crit race this week. It's local, on a track .9 miles long, no curbs, no traffic, grass on the sides. There were only a few women. The B race is a half hour long. It didn't look scary. I could tell the course didn't suit me, dead flat and by the ocean, so windy. If I decide to try it, I'll be going in with the goal of not getting dropped. Does one have to have more drive than that to race? Can it be fun for someone who doesn't have much of a competitive streak? What do you think?

LOL!

Are you talking about the Ninigret course? The wind definitely plays a factor there, but it is an AWESOME place to get your feet wet with racing. The goal of not getting dropped and having fun is a perfect one. You might also find that you are more competitive than you think :).

V - it's coming. I'm wicked behind on the blog updates...

SheFly
08-19-2011, 08:54 AM
redrhodie

Yup, that's the one. I think I'm going to give it a try. Actually, I don't even care if I get dropped, so it only matters that it's fun (okay, I'll try not to get dropped, but I'm not making any promises).
08-19-2011, 12:22 PM
SheFly

The important thing to remember if you do get dropped is that you can get back in if you get lapped. Yes, you will be down a lap, but you will once again have the benefit of the draft!

Have fun - you never know - you might like it :)

SheFly
08-19-2011, 12:41 PM
redrhodie

Oh, thanks for that!

I wish I had timed the lap speed of the B group, but it didn't occur to me. Eh, it's probably better that way. If I think too much, I'll psyche myself out.