I'm normally excited about racing and look forward to it, not this time. I was dreading riding 2 hours in 90 degree heat while snot ran down my cheeks. Anyhoo, we headed to Dauset for the 3rd round of the Georgia Series early on Saturday morning. There was a time trial scheduled for 4:00 that afternoon and with it being Memorial Day weekend and all I figured I-75 would be a zoo, I was right. We got there in plenty of time to take a full lap of the XC course before the TT. Gone Riding was running the trail backwards over the famous Huff and Puff section this year. Great, it had 4 rock climbs. Yea , yea, I know, they might not have been much of a climb for some people, but for me, they were a challenge.
Fortunately the TT used only the flowing section of the course and at 4.5 miles it wasn't a killer. We did climb what they called Pine Mountain at the end, and yes it hurt, but I managed to get the best time in my class. So did the kid. Even with a cold, once I started pedaling, most of the symptoms faded, except the dry throat. I just couldn't seem to drink enough water. The top 4 in my class were there so while I gained a point or two I didn't get a big leg up on anyone in the series.
On the way to our hotel after the TT we ran into a solid line of traffic. Seems two semis had collided on 75, caught fire, started the woods on fire, and had north and southbound traffic stopped. These folks were trying to get to Atlanta using this little two lane road. After taking an hour to go 5 miles we got to the hotel, can you imagine how happy I was? It was a good thing I had made reservations as the lady in front of me got the last available room. I had planned on going to the next exit north to eat but that wasn't going to happen so we ordered pasta delivered to the room. The kid and I walked over to the Mc Donalds/gas station to get some snacks and something to drink. It looked like one of those scenes from the end of the world. Trash all over the place,a smoky haze hanging in the air, all kinds of different people walking around, the line for the ladies bathroom stretched all the way into the hall, the restaurant was packed, I didn't hear one person speak English. Back out in the parking lot it was a mad house as drivers maneuvered trying to get to the gas pumps or just to find a place to park to get into the Micky D's. I half expected to see zombies coming off the I-75 exit ramp.
Things were cleared out by the time we left for the XC race on Sunday morning. My cold symptoms had faded but I still wasn't in the best frame of mind to race. After our warm up I got to the starting line early, I learned my lesson last year about this narrow start and wanted to get on the front line. Of course they delayed the start 15 minuets. When the whistle blows we get off to a well mannered start, old guys are like that. I wanted someone else to take the point and both Clydesdale and FRSS (who brought a geared bike this weekend) were glad to oblige. We settle into a "hey it's 90 degrees" pace and cruised for a while.
I let another rider by me who I had beaten easily the last two races, figuring I could get him when the time came. Fourth! I've been here before. We were still all together when we hit the first little rock climb. Clydesdale, who was in first, dropped a chain. We piled up behind him grunting and cussing. Third! I ran the next couple of climbs which didn't take much longer than riding but really took the wind out of me. I came through the scoring chicane third on the first lap.
My beautiful wife handled the water bottle at the feed zone perfectly. I had drained the first one and started sucking on this one immediately. I just couldn't seem to get enough water. All of the sudden Santa Clause comes by me. Fourth! We're still in a tight group and when we get onto the only wide trail we all draft past FRSS who was in first. Third! At the end of that section Clydesdale snakes by me. Fourth! As we get to the little rock climb the "guy that I beat easily" was off his bike and holding his leg. Cramps. Third! Well ok, I thought, I'll take a third feeling like I do. If I can just keep this pace.
On the last climb, maybe a mile from the finish, the first cramp hits. I'm almost out of water and not feeling very good. I wasn't happy to see FRSS come huffing by me on the hill. He encouraged me but I was done. I thought I was going to have to get off and push. Fourth! And that's where I ended up.
The kid got a second! Climbed all the climbs (mostly), and was pumped at the end.
At the finish I told those guys in my class how much I hated them and they just laughed.
I hope it was just being sick that caused me to fail. I am looking forward to the next race so that's a good sign.
Has the OMTP let me down? Did I not follow it correctly? Or is this my potential? Then again, maybe it's BJ voodoo.
Don't eff with Santa and don't mess with Big Jim...beeitch
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