Presque Isle TT, April 26, 2009

From CRCycling

By Al

Something is wrong with my calendar. At 7:30 this morning on Presque Isle the temperature was 60. Yesterday I rode in the afternoon when it was sunny and 84. But after checking, this was really the Spring, not Summer TT. Presque Isle is a beautiful peninsula in Erie, PA. The 12.5 mile course is pancake flat and the pavement is smooth as silk. On the way out there are scenic views of Erie and the Bay (but during an all-out effort who can enjoy them?) On the way in there are occasional views of Lake Erie, which this morning looked more like a tropical sea. I did not have high expectations today because yesterday I foolishly rode 54 miles in 3 hours in the mid-afternoon heat and sun. So much for gradual acclimatization to the warm weather. I felt really bad after that ride and was not sure how much I could recover for this morning. But the warm-up felt good, and I took my place in line to await my start. Going out there was a nice tailwind, not very strong but enough to make that speedometer stay above 24 mph. This 2:30 per mile pace held up until about mile marker 8, when that helpful tailwind became more of a headwind. I did my best to crank up the speed and suffering the last 2 miles, and was able to record a personal best of 32:21 (1:25 better than Fall, 2007). Here’s some other data: 231 W avg power; 23.3 mph avg speed; 160 avg HR. Pacing was good, 229W out, 233 back.

By Bill

Well today was my first real competition at the Presque Isle TT. Finished at 34:18, nearly 22 mph average. I was shooting for 30 and hoping for 32, but I guess I will take it. From what I hear, there were not as many under 30 as before. It was a beautiful day; wind was calm (but not non existent, especially coming back around). I tried to take everyone's advice and not start out too strong, I was holding back a bit to stay under 25 mph. I was still averaging just about 24 mph at the 8 mile mark but then started to fade against the breeze (wont call it wind). Never blew up, but certainly didn’t have anything left at the finish which I told myself- regardless of where I finish, don’t have anything left at the end, and I didn’t.

Good showing from CRC, nice job Al and Chris, it was fun spending time with you today. Also glad neither of you passed me, but I was four minutes ahead of Chris at the start! He was close behind though at the end!

Took the family (car full o bikes) with me and we rode around again to enjoy the day. That place is nice but crazy busy.