Rt 29 Time Trial
Flat tires are the bane of my existence this season. Several weeks ago I blew the front tire on a high speed curve on Poorhouse Rd. in Downingtown with a resulting 25+ mph crash leaving alot of skin on the road and wrenching my back. This meant 5 weeks on Ibuprofen before my back recovered. A couple of flats on training rides. And again last night at 9.44 miles of a 10 mile time trial in Frenchtown NJ. Ugh!!! Everything started great. Bike as all set to go. New Zipp wheel on the front with my Powertap SL on the rear with bolt-on wheel cover simulating a solid wheel. The Frenchtown course is a very good 1-way (just out) course with wide road shoulders. It is mostly flat with very slight rolling in middle third.
Based on my powertap data (avg speed) I was on schedule for 24′ 30″ or perhaps better given the flat road at end. Fortunely, there is another TT next week, same course. Better result I hope.
UPDATE: The official results publised my time at 35’34”!!! I was “lanterne rouge” for the day. Lanterne rouge is French for red lantern and refers to the red lantern on the last car of a train. In cycling, this refers to the last man to finish.
One bright spot was my heart rate (and probably 20 min power) thresholds seem to have definitely increased. I was clearly riding comfortably (if you can call a TT comfortable) at well over 160 bpm. Earlier this year anything over 160 would have me sucking for breath. Now to concentrate on speed work.
Saturday is the Lemon Hill Criterium in Philadelphia and Sunday the Cargas Criterium in Lancaster PA. Cargas is the PA Masters Criterium Championship.
Posted: June 16th, 2005 under Bicycle Racing.