Lowe's Motor Speedway is the coolest closed circuit I've ever ridden a bike on. So what if it's the only one. The Charlotte sojourn for the 10-mile time trial with my buddy Matthew achieved all of my objectives. With a time of 26:01.4 — 23.06 mph — I came in 13th out of 20 in the age 45-49 age group and 163rd out of 291, crappy form and all. After my concerns of the business casual rehearsal, I was relieved that handling the bike was a piece of cake. The big lesson: I can go faster, perhaps fast enough to pull at least into the top half of my age group and overall. I wasn't breathing nearly hard enough when I finished.
The experience was surreal and exhilirating. Richard Petty and I have shared the same track. And maybe the same garage. Want to warm up? Go to garage, pull the door open, set up your trainer. Who's been in that spot before? Dale Earnhardt? Bobby Allison? The sense of place is so strong that it's an inspiration to go fast but it is so intense that it was distracting. Maybe that sensation will pass with time.
Cool feature: high-end bike maker Cervelo brought every model of their bikes in every size. Before my warmup I got to do laps on a very expensive bike that I have coveted for some time (actually two, since I rode the aluminum and carbon models). Even though the fit was off, the performance was everything I'd ever read about. This experience was the equivalent of going to an amateur car race and having Ferrari say, "go for a spin in whichever one of our ridiculous and legendary vehicles you'd like." Indeed there was talk of loaning the bikes for racing.
I stuck with the 2100 because it fits so much better and I know it so well. We started early, with the slow riders, and passed a whole lot more people than passed us. When we crossed the finish line and started checking, one of the volunteers asked me what I thought. I said I thought I wanted to do it again. Next likely opportunity: June 11. Matthew has agreed to serve again as my second. So much for my assertion that I have no interest in racing.
2 comments:
Way to go! I am thoroughly impressed and inspired. Congratulations, Cycledork!
I'd love to average 23 mph over 10 miles. Guess I'm just going to have to keep chasing the faster riders on the club rides. If I could get the running down, there's a duathlon June 14. Thought it might be fun to squeeze something in before my 50th birthday a few days later.
Dear Sherri:
Thanks for the kind words. On a closed course like Lowes with rabbits in front of me to chase, 23 mph seemed easy. The real challenge will be getting to 24 or 25 mph.
Go for it with the duathlon. My bet is you've got the cycling down and the running will only hurt until it stops.
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