<p>After at least a ten year hiatus, I have returned to <a href=”http://www.potomacvelo.com/events/waw/index.html”>Wednesdays at Wakefield</a> and I believe I’ve redeemed myself. The last time I ran this race was back in college, during the summer when I was working at the bike shop. I was riding a little bit (so little that I’d call it “not riding” nowadays), knew of the race, had these new clipless pedals (as in… installed that day and never used), and thought it would be a good idea. Again, I thought I rode a fair amount so I entered the Sport/intermediate class. I think I was last place by a fair margin. I would not race a mountain bike for many, many years following that.</p>
<p>So I’ve now been riding “a little bit” these days, and following the 12 hour race, I have a good idea as to what my time around this course should be. I could take one of the last few spots in Sport or I could be one of the faster riders in Beginner. I chose the latter since I really don’t need a replay of a decade ago. The choice was a good one.</p>
<p><a href=”http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150239762234396&amp;set=a.10150237577039396.331629.772254395&amp;type=1&amp;theater”><img alt=”” class=”floatLeft” height=”240″ src=”http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/261239_10150239762234396_772254395_7056923_4713010_n.jpg” width=”360″/></a>While I do ride more than most beginners, I do it on the road; my technical skills are atrocious, but I make up for it by out-pedaling them. Technical and physical skills are really all there are when it comes to riding a bike… so it makes sense that they 100% accounted for my result.</p>
<p>The course itself was a complete unknown to me, which sucks, and is worth a solid minute per lap [as my 2nd lap can attest]. I was at a huge disadvantage not knowing which way to turn or any of the lines… and that fact reared its head as I took the wrong way up a wet and large root, had to pop out of my pedals, and being the gentleman that I am, allowed the entire field to pass as I flailed about. Now that I have that experience under my belt, I know a) how to take that root and b) to not be a gentleman; this is racing. I paid for being in last place greatly…</p>
<p>Not only was the course an unknown, but it’s very narrow. Passing is near impossible. I was faced with passing <em>a lot</em> of people. That cost me <em>a lot</em> of time. From last place (of maybe 40 riders?), I think I ended in the top 10… I think. Regardless, I was tearing it up on the 2nd lap as my legs carried me as others’ faltered. Each time I got a chance to make a pass, I put a huge gap on the person in seconds. Unfortunately, the opportunities were few and far between, which meant I spent a lot of time going their pace.</p>
<p>My total time was 37:47. A 19:20 first lap and an 18:27 second. Again, no idea what place that is, but last week, on a faster course (it was a little wet and slippery out there today), that would have gotten me 9th. Will be interesting to see how times of other riders compare against last week… I’m<em> so</em> all about the numbers :P</p>
<p>I’m pumped, had a great time, know I’m capable of much better than I did today (staying on your bike is a pretty important part of riding it fast), and I can’t wait for next Wednesday!</p>
<p>Update: Results are online. They have me at 37:11. Not sure how that happens. Whatever, I’ll take it. I was correct… 9th place.</p>
<p>[<a href=”http://connect.garmin.com/activity/97372547″>GPS</a>] [<a href=”http://www.potomacvelo.com/events/waw/results/waw_results_2011_race3_600pm.pdf”>Results</a>]</p>