Ironman Bike Race 1997
Prologue
Just what was I thinking? Here it is, the 27th of April, and I am NOT feeling up to even a ride of 30 miles. To add to my misery, the forecast has called for rain, and it certainly looks like the forecast will come true. I stall for as long as I can, and begin the drive up to Buffalo, Minnesota, where the ride/race will be held. This year, we will begin the ride with a 10 minute "safety presentation" to ensure that all riders are ready to roll. Oh, boy! I can hardly wait! ;-)
Pre-race Prep and the "Safety Talk"
As I am heading north, I hit pockets of rain and begin to dread this ride even more. I think I have a cold, and this will not help matters! However, as I get even closer to my destination, I spy sunshine! All hail the mighty sun! I have been spared, and my stalling this morning has paid off! ( I see many riders on the longer courses coming in to the end of the ride looking very wet and miserable!)
The "safety talk" turns out to be a VERY quick repeat of the information they previously gave us in the ride flyer. Not very helpful, and certainly not useful for the people who need it most, the beginners and first-timers at this event. I hustle my butt out of there and begin the ride, 'cause I don't want to get stuck at the back!
The Ride Itself: 30 miles
I had picked the 30 mile route because I had been sick several weeks earlier and did not have any long rides in over 30 miles. This would be my longest ride thus far this season. I begin slowly, calling out "on your left" as per the "safety rules" (I already knew this, but it seemed so out of place, since I rarely hear other riders using these words during the event....)
I quickly begin to work my way to a comfortable speed approaching 17 mph (remember, no long rides yet, and the bike trainer has not done enough to keep me ready for FAST riding). I have no major or minor problems on the way to the one and only rest stop at about the halfway point, and aim for a problem-free ride. The food at the rest stop is plentiful and good; I stash a few items in my pockets for the end of the ride (thinking about how little there might be at the end, since I started so late), and then I'm off!
I didn't think about it at the time, but I NEVER had the urge to "take a BIFF break" the entire ride. I was most certainly dehydrated, and still I managed to do well. The second portion of the ride was a bit hillier than the first, and I found that I did well on the ups, and did poorly on the downs against heavier riders. I guess that identifies me as a bike "shrimp" :-)
Near the end, and beginning to tire, the race organizers saw fit to use much of the same course as last year, especially this last part with a sweeping downhill (gradual, but sweeping) almost to the end of the ride. I thoroughly enjoyed this respite, and then prepared to finish, get my goodies, and get outta there!
Post-race: Thoughts and Musings
Not really a race, but a good ride! I felt a bit tired, and my right IT band was a bit sore, but no major glitches! I now know that I need to do MUCH MORE to get ready for the long bikes this season, and I better do it soon! The safety talk was needed, but I don't know if it was effective (next year may tell---they mentioned the ride could be cancelled if we didn't do as asked....). Hopefully, this long ride means that I will be able to continue training for the next month and be ready for my SECOND tri season!
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Updated 10 May 1997
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