It was windy - not Seddon windy but windy enough to average 40kph from home to the start line so it was a bit of a dejavu experience from the week before.
During the week I had gone for a small run which had proved to be a mistake as my legs had really ached since then so when I found myself under pressure in the cross wind at the 3km mark I found myself unable to respond and I was dropped. With only 85km left to race this was going to be a long ride.
Determination (or stupidity) saw me press on. At the top of the coastals road I saw Henry who had also been dropped. I thought he might have jumped on behind me but a short time later when I saw Roger at the top of Dominion Road I realised that he hadn't so I was on my own. The ride down to Motueka went ok as there was a tailwind but the turn at the Airport and the ride up to Ngatimoti was horrible as there was a head wind all of the way. I consoled myself with the thought that no one in the group ahead would be interested in working so if I continued on I might actually catch them.
It wasn't until the top of Central road that I saw anyone at all. By this stage I was dertermined to just get the ride over so I wasn't slowing down for anyone. At Upper Moutere I saw Chris C who had stopped with some riders at the shop and was just starting out again. I rode past and he jumped on and rode with me to the end.
I finished not far behind Ritchie V and averaged 32.48kph - not bad for a solo effort! The ride home was a real struggle and in the end I phoned Hannah to pick me up. I was pretty tired all evening.
No comments:
Post a Comment