JOSEPHWEISSERT
Zen MBB Master
Well, this "non-race" (with timing chips and balls-to-the-walls speed) was pretty uneventful. My weakness was climbing. Part of that was due to missing some top-end strength due to last weekend's N24HC (still not fully recovered). And part was due to competing against really strong riders with bikes that weigh at least 10 pounds lighter than my bike. So I got separated from the front pack early on due to a big climb. I was on my own for most of the event. Although, I was tagging along with the second wave on and off until the turnaround point, where I used the port-a-potty and the group kept on going. The police did a very nice job of stopping traffic at every intersection along the way to the turnaround allowing everyone to sail on through. On the way out of the turnaround point, there was construction, gravel, a big hole, the edge of a new concrete curb, and traffic. I was going fast, went around the stopped cars, saw the hole, swerved to miss the hole, slid a little to the right on the gravel, almost hit the curb head-on, almost lost it, and then got back on fresh pavement. All of this happened in a flash. An oncoming DF rider shouted, "Nice handling!" since the oncoming group witnessed the whole embarrassing, near-death experience. The good news, other than not crashing, is that my brain has rewired to the point where I can handle extreme, surprise situations on the Vendetta now. So that was the most exciting part of the whole ride. Then there was a headwind on the way back. But the weather was great. Not too hot and not too sunny. Miles and miles alone trying to find the road markings or signs along the way. Then I had to wait for traffic lights when back in the city (since the police had quit blocking traffic by then). And then there was the finish line. Again, very uneventful. But it was a nice 80-mile ride on a nice day and I felt good afterwards. The best part was going out with my wife to eat breakfast afterwards. Four eggs, red-skinned potato hash browns, pancakes, and ice tea. When I unloaded the car, I had to ride around the parking lot a few times, before bringing the bike back in the house, because it is just so fun to ride.
My finish time was under my goal of 4 hours: finish time: 3:57:01. My placement was 75th out of 470 actual riders. Here's the link: http://georesults.racemine.com/Igniteyoureventcom/events/2015/MSU-Gran-Fondo/results.
My finish time was under my goal of 4 hours: finish time: 3:57:01. My placement was 75th out of 470 actual riders. Here's the link: http://georesults.racemine.com/Igniteyoureventcom/events/2015/MSU-Gran-Fondo/results.
