First ever podium...yes, very unexpected, I got 3rd place in the singlespeed solo category.
A couple equipment notes...
I was riding a Misfit(rigid)
32x19
A couple last minute equipment changes
Kenda Small block 8's(first ride on them...real fast)
Ergon grips with barends - Wow, I am sold!
These things are amazing.... The only reason I am able to type today is because of these grips...If you ride a single speed in endurance events, and if that single speed has a rigid fork, this is the way to go.
I had done quite a bit of training earlier in the season (South Carolina), but very little riding in the last couple weeks, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I went into the race thinking
1 - I would like to get 12 laps in, 1 more than in 2009 & 2008
2 - It's a warm up, a long ride in preparation for the Mohican 100 , a 100 mile race I am doing the first weekend in June.
This was the first time Heather, my wife had come out to one of these events, and by buddy John Bragdonfrom Kingston was going to be there, as well as Mark & John Connors would be there doing a tag team with there family...Nice.
Race report
I started at the very back after a last minute run back to the car, add more air to the tires...as I looked down and thought "pinch flat" (good move as I did not flat during the race).
First lap was the busy, as I passed rider after rider...feeling strong, as the race went on I continued feeling good, and having family and friends in the solo pit cheering me on was really cool.
I struggled though a few laps (4, 5? its all a blur) then really started feeling good after 75 - 80k
A "side" thing that was going on during all this was, my buddies Mark & John competing as tag team LuvHammer had vowed to take me down :) some good trash talking over the previous weeks...well these guys were right there, we traded leads 3, 4 5 times during the race, some good friendly banter as we woud pass each other.. maybe around the 8 or 9 laps in, I started thinking...I might be able to beat these guys...this was another motivator to go faster when your legs are screaming stop.
I had decided to call it quits on lap 11...my pace was better than the previous years, I was tired, but someone on the trail said to me "what do you mean this is your last lap, you are climbing far to fast for this to be your last lap". So true...there was still a bit left in the motor, and I had been thinking...I really haven't been passed by too many riders..I wonder where I am...maybe I could actually podium, so as I came through the finish of lap 11, I kept going for lap 12.
riding time 7hr59min41sec
distance 133k
climbing approx 9,000
Advils 4
To close off the day...I got to stand on the podium and get my 3rd place medal..then off to the Pomps for pizza, wine & hot tub. ahhh. Perfect way to end a long day in the saddle.
Interesting notation...all three of us 1st 2nd & 3rd place were on Misfits
click here for the Garmin details
Finally...a really big thanks to Heather, Jamie & everyone else cheering me on, and passing me gel, cliff blocks & drinks :)
Congratulations Tom - that is awesome! Great story as well.
ReplyDeletePatty