Business casual rehearsal

I still have a lot left to learn about aero bars. My brother in law — props to him — and I went out this route so I could try 10 miles with the aero bars and skin suit. I also pulled off the seat bag and the bottle cages. My legs aren't shaved because over the 10 miles at Lowe's Motor Speedway the hair amounts to 2.4 seconds. If I come in behind somebody by 10 seconds or fewer once I've been to Lowe's, I shave. Also I don't have a time-trial helmet yet.

Anyway, the bike is harder for me to handle with the aero bars. I also came out of the aeros when I was going up hill or had a car tailing and not passing. I slowed myself several times by not shifting into a higher gear before I went back into the aeros. My posture was pretty crappy (evidence forthcoming) and the wind was not favorable. Bottom line: 27:41.1. I wouldn't have been last with that time at Lowe's but I know I can go faster than that — without aerobars. At least two more rehearsals are planned before April 30 and I hope at least one of them can be dress. The most significant variable is the bars so I'm convincing myself that speed is just a matter of settling in and learning how to use them.