Weekly TT Update

[RoadRaven]

Sounds like an awesome ride
Glad you have the new 'puter
Sometimes a tough ride the day before can work in your favour - just think of it as if you were in a Tour!

[mukluk]

Sounds like you did well. Sorry about your computer. I would feel lost without mine but I would have kept going just like you did. I stupidly lost or misplaced my computer after my time trial last night. I'm thinking I probably won't find it because I feel like I looked everywhere. Oh poop. Anyway you did awesome, looking forward to hearing about more races.

[SheFly]

With DH still sort of in recovery from his knee surgery, and me having done a hard effort at our women's team ride last night, we decided to go to the TT and give the rocketship (aka tandem) its first run of the season tonight. Figured it would likely be easier for us than riding our own bikes .

We started out well, and quickly got into a good rhythm on the bike. About 2 - 2.5 miles into the loop, we were forced off the road and onto the dirt by a car that was turning left and taking up the whole road . DH is an expert bike handler, so quickly got us back onto the road without incident, and back on our way. It was awkward and somewhat difficult getting back into our rhythm after that, but we managed, and were cruising along quite well.

At about mile 5, we were almost killed. This section of the course is VERY fast, and we were cruising along at about 35 mph when a woman started pulling out from a driveway in front of us . DH locked up both disc brakes, but a tandem with two large people on it moving in a forward motion at that speed is very difficult/impossible to stop. Heart rates went up, and sadly, some cursing ensued.

After that, DH lifted the visor on his helmet and declared that he was done. We pedaled fairly easily for a short distance, and then the competitiveness kicked back in and we were off, trying once again to get into a rhythm. At this point, we were demotivated, and having trouble catching anyone who started in front of us, and we still had the hilly part of the course to come.

As we turned onto the final stretch (where the hills start) ANOTHER car made a left turn DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF US! Is it a full moon tonight? We're not small, and the rocketship is bright yellow/orange - you can't miss two large aliens on a rocketship like that! I honestly don't get it...

We finally caught a couple of people who had started ahead of us, and ended up in a sprint finish with our 30 second person (who set a PR tonight - he was FLYING). We finished the 9.75 mile course in 22:40 which is a great time given the challenges we faced. I am just glad to be sitting here typing this story.....

SheFly

[Crankin]

God, Cathy, I am scared to go out my door now! I was picturing every single spot you mentioned. Was that last one on 225 or Monument St? I haven't done that route in awhile, since I've been racking up the miles commuting. Hopefully, you will have a better day tomorrow!
Robyn

[RoadRaven]

Wow SheFly
So pleased you are both ok
Thats one scarey story - a tandem is SOO much more visible than a single bike - how could they NOT see you!?!?!

Anyways, good on you both for finishing, and finishing well is a fine bonus

Take care

[SheFly]

Was that last one on 225 or Monument St?

It was on Monument. Car was turning left onto Monument from Skelton. Not sure how he couldn't have seen us, and at that point, we were probably doing about 28 mph. We were so frustrated by that point that we decided to race him - he won .

Traffic was a bear last night!

SheFly

[Mimosa]

Maybe you should add such a blinking light on the bike to make yourself more visible ... scary stuff.