Grand Prix Des Groveport

I do like time trials--no one to worry about in the corners, and no stupid games with speed. Not to mention I don't have to worry about my tendancy to pull my competitors around the course. I had practiced on the course twice before, and I knew that the tailwind was supposed to see us home. Race morning, when the flags told me the wind was out of the north, I knew the outbound would be fun but the return, not so much. Shortly before the race, I realized I really shouldn't go all out for the ITT, otherwise I'd run the risk of blowing up for the TTT, leaving my teammates high and dry. I did hold a little back, and though it hurt, it was nothing like the lactic acid I felt after the state time trial. I was happy with my time until I saw the winner was something like 4 minutes faster. Oops. The bit I held back wouldn't have made up that much time!

Thanks to Lisa Antolino and those other volunteers who rushed to the course when the call came that not all of the scheduled volunteers had arrived. Jim, Wendy, Rick (Cyclist Connection) and anyone else who helped organize, nice job. I hope it becomes an annual event.

This was the race that was on, off, and on again. I wasn't sure if I was going to get to race or need to go corner marshall. It takes a lot of work to pull a race off, and a lot of cordination with the team. I went out on what is really my home course. The wind was blowing from an unusual direction. That ride out is never fast, nor do you usually have to fight the way home. I was trying to do well, but still save some energy and effort for the team event. I didn't want to let my team-mates down. Still, had a good time and average speed out there.

Ahh the individual race...Well after having about 2 minutes warmup due to registration, sheriff, corner marshal, etc...problems I didn't feel it was too bad.

When doing 2 events so close together you always have the thought in the back of your mind, "Did I hold back for the Team event or did I expend everything for the individual only to be blown apart in the team?"

Thanks to Ric from Cyclist Connection and Frank from Renn, I think we got the disc problem worked out. I don't remember hearing any squeaking.