Quick race report from Fisk Knob time trial that was on April 15. This race came at the end of a very long training week on the bike, totaling over 230 miles. In April, in Michigan, that's quite the feat. So, considering my mileage, I decided to ride on my friend's fixed gear bike and just enjoy the day. Great idea, medium execution. We put a brake on the bike to control downhill speed as this was a big concern. The TT course starts at the highest point in Kent County and goes straight downhill for a mile, and then has a 90 degree right turn. Was all over the brake on the way down as once I hit 28mph, as my cadence was north of 150. Once off the hill, the rolling course was rough but kept the speed up over 20 and felt pretty good. Then the wheels came off the bus. Or, make that, the chain snapped on the fixie. Day over at 4.5 miles.
Strava file here. After I luckily got a ride back to the start, it was fun to watch the Cross Country Cycle guys come in. Everyone had a good race, lots of PRs, and Steve and Tim rocked the tandem.
FKTT Results here.
Part of my long training week was a result of
this ride. Since my family was out of town for Easter, I decided it would be a good day to get a century in. With the wind blowing 20-25mph out of the NW, it seemed logical to ride the middle 50 against the wind, and take the benefit of the tailwind home. Good decision. The last 25 miles were brutal and it was great to get home. 6 hours is an eternity to be on a bike by yourself, but it was good to get test my mental toughness this early in the year.
As the Grand Rapids 70.3 approaches, I'll be working on some shorter rides and picking up speed. In two weeks, I'll be racing the
Fifth Third Riverbank 25k Run. Have some fun planned for the race, I'm looking forward to it. There will be pictures and I'm sure I'll be embarrassed!
