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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Suburban MA and Western ME
    Posts
    1,815

    A Bit of Bragging, if I May

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    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

    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 . 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
    "Well behaved women rarely make history." including me!
    http://twoadventures.blogspot.com

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Marin County CA
    Posts
    5,936
    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."
    Sarah

    When it's easy, ride hard; when it's hard, ride easy.


    2011 Volagi Liscio
    2010 Pegoretti Love #3 "Manovelo"
    2011 Mercian Vincitore Special
    2003 Eddy Merckx Team SC - stolen
    2001 Colnago Ovalmaster Stars and Stripes

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Looking at all the love there that's sleeping
    Posts
    4,171
    Sweet!!!

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

    (BTW...That's not the Wednesday night TT in Ipswich, is it?)
    2007 Seven ID8 - Bontrager InForm
    2003 Klein Palomino - Terry Firefly (?)
    2010 Seven Cafe Racer - Bontrager InForm
    2008 Cervelo P2C - Adamo Prologue Saddle

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    MI
    Posts
    2,543
    AWESOME! Congrats. I bet at that pace your DH didn't even know you had passed him.
    2005 Giant TCR2
    2012 Trek Superfly Elite AL
    2nd Sport, Pando Fall Challenge 2011 and 3rd Expert Peak2Peak 2011
    2001 Trek 8000 SLR
    Iceman 2010-6th Place AG State Games, 2010-1st Sport, Cry Baby Classic 2010-7th Expert, Blackhawk XTerra Tri 2007-3rd AG

    Occasionally Updated Blog

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Newport, RI
    Posts
    3,821
    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?
    '02 Eddy Merckx Fuga, Selle An Atomica
    '85 Eddy Merckx Professional, Selle An Atomica

    '10 Soma Double Cross DC, Selle An Atomica

    Slacker on wheels.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Central Indiana
    Posts
    6,034
    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!!!
    Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.

    --Mary Anne Radmacher

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Flagstaff AZ
    Posts
    2,516
    Yahoo! You rock

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Posts
    209
    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.

    Way to go She Fly

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Uncanny Valley
    Posts
    14,498
    Very nice. Very, very nice. Congratulations.
    Speed comes from what you put behind you. - Judi Ketteler

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Tucson, AZ
    Posts
    4,632
    Feel free to brag, Shefly! 27-30? I'm lucky if I can manage 20 on flat ground!

    Good for you!
    At least I don't leave slime trails.
    http://wholecog.wordpress.com/

    2009 Giant Avail 3 |Specialized Jett 143

    2013 Charge Filter Apex| Specialized Jett 143
    1996(?) Giant Iguana 630|Specialized Riva


    Saving for the next one...

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Posts
    9,324
    Very cool!

    Veronica
    Discipline is remembering what you want.


    TandemHearts.com

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Phillipston, MA
    Posts
    445
    Woohooooo! Very nice. That's such an admirable accomplishment. Toot! You Studette you!! 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

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Portland, OR, USA
    Posts
    124
    That's awesome! Congratulations!
    2011 Scott CX Team/Koobi Xenon
    2005 Bike Friday NWT/Selle Royal Lookin
    2001 Bianchi Giro/Terry Butterfly Ti
    1970s Centurion Le Mans/Ancient waffle saddle

  14. #14
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Suburban MA and Western ME
    Posts
    1,815
    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 .

    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
    "Well behaved women rarely make history." including me!
    http://twoadventures.blogspot.com

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Newport, RI
    Posts
    3,821
    Ha! Your dh sounds like a keeper. Bring him a tootsie roll next time.
    '02 Eddy Merckx Fuga, Selle An Atomica
    '85 Eddy Merckx Professional, Selle An Atomica

    '10 Soma Double Cross DC, Selle An Atomica

    Slacker on wheels.

 

 

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