#5: Reforestation Ramble

So, it was a beautiful weekend and the Stadium Bike Team put on a excellent Race again this year.

My weekend started out in a little panic though. Saturday morning I was putting the rear wheel on my bike when the break pads fell out. I attempted to put the pads back in place and they were just to used to be placed back on the the bike. So, then I was on phone to every bike shop between Kenosha to Green Bay to find new break pads. After about 20 minutes on the phone I found a shop in Racine and Green Bay (Stadium Bikes) that had what I needed! I finished packing and was off to the bike shop!

The shop in Racine had my pads and my panic level dropped. I was off to the pre-ride. About an hour in to the drive I started searching for my WORS handbook to check the directions to the Race, when my panic level went back up. No handbook meant no directions. I get on the phone to call a couple teammates for directions and even Aimee to read off the website, but no one is answering. I finally stopped at a gas station for directions and a local map.

After all that drama I arrive at the race and there is NO PRE-RIDE! Luckily a few of my teammates are there and planned on camping too. I throw done the tent and Scott, Jason and I went for a short road ride to get a little time on the bike.

Sunday morning and race time. I personally was not looking forward to the race only because the race is scheduled to be 16 miles LONGER then normal. I get to the start line and ended up in the back of the starting line. At the word GOOOOOO I am in the back. I set into a good pass and felt good for the first 20 miles. (which is my avg distance) After the 20 mile mark, I started to fade fast, and before I know it I see guys in my age group passing me up. Which is how I ended up 13th out of 16 in my age group. 36 miles is just not my strong suite.

Back to the drawing board for the training plan, I seem to be going backwards.

Nine Mile

Second race last Sunday and I first want to thank all my friends from Stadium Bike team that help out with water hand ups and cheering. And for making room at the campsite for me, thanks.


I felt good Sunday but many say that is a very bad sign for racing. I started out strong, pretty sure I was in the top 5 in the first lap of three. But my the second lap I really started to get tired. I slow my pace way down and started to lose spots slowly. It was a pretty warm day for racing and by early in the last lap I felt the cramps coming on in my hamstrings. With about 3 miles left a guy in my age group passed me and I decided to pace with him to see if I could out sprint him at the end.


I stuck on his wheel all the way to the last couple turns and I thought I was close enough to the finish line that I could take him.......I was wrong, I cramped up with about 100 yards to go and he pulled away took 9th and I ended up with 10th.


So, I guess they are right, feeling good the day of a race might not be such a good thing.


cya