When the “A” ride rolled last night a few of us were tired from the weekend’s activities. Me? I was tired. My Saturday road race activities resulted in a 13th place finish (5th place in 40+). I wasn’t comfortable mixing it up on the front end of the peloton and thus sprinted from the back of the field. My sprint propelled me past 10 riders but 13th was all I could muster. Keeping in mind that 4 guys were already “in” because they broke away earlier in the race.

We covered 58 miles at an average pace of 24.1 MPH with LOTS of slow pace along the way. Average heart rate was 141 – not bad considering all the horses – and their crap in the way etc. etc. Later in the day we completed a 20K time trial. Once again I was LATE! I live close to the start point (closer than any one else) and was LATE~! Prior to my start, a junior came up and asked to borrow some chain/freewheel tools and I responded with … “I need to go.” I helped him anyway.

Um, I “thought” the start of the TT was at the “normal” spot. BUT NO!!!!!!!!!! IT was 3 f&#@* miles up the road. With just 7 minutes to my 5:37 start time, I had to time trial to the real start point. BLAH. No warm up, just hitting it hard from the get-go. My time reflected the “mistake” … Funny, several ‘competitors’ commented about how they beat me. HA. I defeated myself by not warming up properly, by being late, and by not knowing the location of the start gate. Last time I assure you. Mistakes are what separate us. Summary – 30:13 (with a :15 delay start) – I covered the first 3 miles (warming up) in 5:40 (Damn!~) – Average heart rate – 158.

Sunday-Sunday-Sunday: Crits are it and when you’re fit you’re fit. I started in my usual last place and moved up to 9th at the finish. Good enough. Summary: 7th place in the Omnium and 4th place in the Masters 40+.

I feel better now. Ride on.