Thanks Bike Chick. I just remembered one other experience being the carrot. I did a few road races last year, all of which I stayed with the peloton until the climbing began (hence switching to time trials this year!). Anyway, on one of the races, one gal dropped off right before the climb ... so I was ahead of ONE person (the goal was always to not come in last!) ... and then I passed a gal puking on the side of the road on the climb. Bummer for her! I think she pushed herself too hard to stay with the group. Now I'm ahead of TWO persons! And then I passed one other rider on the climb, who was actually riding. THREE!!!

However, I knew that third rider could eventually pass me if I wasn't careful. After the climb, I descended pretty quickly as I typically do. That's my strength. And most of the rest of the ride was flat or rolling with one long low grade stretch.

I was basically by myself for most of this. I kept looking behind me to see if she was there and never saw her. It was really hard knowing how hard I had to really push myself. This was not a time trial. Whether I come in two minutes faster or slower doesn't make a difference, as long as I don't let her pass me. And I had no idea how hard she was riding. I just knew I never saw her when I looked and felt reasonably comfortable that she was never going to pass me.

I did finally start to get passed by some guys who were in another category (obviously ... since they're guys!). This confused the issue, cause now when I turned to see if she was there, it was harder to tell, cause now there were other riders. And, to be honest, she had a masculine look to her to add to the confusion.

All I know, is I had about a mile to go on the 31 mile course and ... boom! She passed me! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was SO bummed. I got on her wheel and we rode the last mile together, switching who was pulling. When we got near the finish line I felt like a slug. My competitor says to me, "You wanna sprint it out?" I'm thinking, "Um. No?!" I thought it was interesting that she actually asked that. All I know is she stood to sprint and I stood to sprint but she FAR out sprinted me. Bummer. (Previous race I came in the end with a gal whom I sprinted with and it was much closer. Could hardly tell who crossed the line first ... which, sadly, was her.)

Anyway, after the race the gal who out sprinted me said I was her carrot. She was intentionally trying to catch me during the whole race. So in that situation, I think she kind of had the benefit of trying to catch the carrot. For me, I tried to ride hard, but I'm pretty sure I could have ridden harder had I known she "actually" was going to catch me. So, the lesson in that is ... always assume they can catch you if you don't ride your hardest!

At least I still beat those two other riders.