I know you are asking, why all the hubba hubba about a cookie ride? Well, all I can say is this ain't no ordinary cookie ride. Just in our group, we have people coming from SC, Kansas, Ontario, CA, Florida, NY and Colorado.....you get the idea.
Teenie, Roger, Craig and I rode over to the Start today as it presents the first selection on the 60 mile course. We go up into the foothills on Swan Rd. A 2 mile climb of 300 vertical feet makes about a 2.8% grade. The climb starts about 1/2 mile from the start line. We will be at the start at least one hour prior to start time to get our spots up front.......yea, no warm up. Urg!
As in any event like this, the start brings crit like speed. The four of us hit the little climb pretty hard today and it took about 7 minutes at 17+ MPH. I am sure the peleton will move much faster but we will enjoy more draft. Teenie looked very strong as she allowed us guys to set pace and hit the last pitch standing. She got away from us a little.....not any big deal, but showed me she had powder left in her gun.
The course rolls for about 12 miles to the Rancho Vistoso area near where we live. Then, there is a 4 to 5 mile section that rolls mostly uphill. This section will be a big separation area as we will face several testers. We are going to ride this Thursday. Although we ride it often, we will be thinking 'race' on Thursday.
Friday, I hope to look over the finish which is about a 1000 meter straight, flat runout. Barricades were set up last year and there might have been 20,000 people at the finish.......biggest thing I have ever experienced!
We heard today that the winds were forecast to be high on Saturday....just a rumor at this point. This should help us, as we will be well organized and the roads are wide enough to set up echelons. Last year we were blessed with a 20 mph 'breeze'.
Plan, plan, plan...........you know me, I love the run up to something like El Tour as much as I do race. Make no mistake, for 15-20% of the riders, this is a race. We have some great dinners and festivities planned......it won't be all racing. You guys know, you gotta talk a lot about the race, before and after! That is what bike racers do.
I am anxious to see how I ride in comparison to last year. These events are good benchmarks and my perceived level of fitness is high right now. Our main goal is to place Roger in the Top 10 overall (13th last year) and place Teenie among the top of the women's field. About 1:30 PM Saturday, all the planning and racing will be over.....only celebrating left.
Bird hits here tomorrow just after lunch.........I will report back.
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