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Joe Niccum: 1st, Cat 3 | ||||
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This was my first long ITT of the season and I was curious to see the results of a different training strategy this year. I usually write off the first ITT to a shakedown ride without concern to achieving a personal best. I ended up winning the TT with a time under 54 minutes for 22 miles. I didn't expect to win and I only credit that to my main competition messing up on the course. The course was not an out and back type. We left the park and rode around the area before heading toward the turn around. I had a strange feeling that I was off course during 70% of the race. I ignored it and kept up the pace wondering if I was heading out of the area on an unexpected adventure with just one water bottle! That feeling was further reinforced as I watched my expected halfway time go by without reaching the turnaround. The turnaround turned out to be past the half way point. I finally reached the turnround and I was rewarded with a good tailwind on the way back. The wind was strong enough that I was using my biggest gear. As I plodded along, I was wondering if I made a mistake by putting a 50 tooth chainring on JoMay's bike, but that wasn't the case. (lucky for me!) I am glad to get the first one of these out of the way. Judging by how I felt on the ride and the large gear I was using into the wind, I expect to have a PR soon on a 40K. |
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