FLCC> Empire State Games Qualifier

[Steve Edgar]

There are 2 events to qualify:

1)  3 mile TT (1 mile flat, 2 miles uphill)
2) 32 mile points race

I am not fit enough to make the team, but am here for the action.  I  
could camp in the TT and be at full strength for the points race, but  
I am curious to see what I can do.  I decide to roll the TT at full  
effort.

My 30 second target rider is Dan Kane.  I can keep him at about that  
- 30 seconds, but can't bring him any closer.  I do a 10:24, and am  
16th of 29 starters, and closer to some of the guys, time-wise, than  
expected.  Not close, however, to winner Glenn Swan, who spanks 1  
minute and 13 seconds out of me.  (Ano also turned in an impressive  
time.)

In the points race, I am not quite strong enough to contest the  
sprints.  About mid-way, I make a 1 lap solo effort, launched at the  
start/finish, to see if I can keep a big gear rolling.  Turns out...  
kind of.  I stay  away for the full lap, but the field is not going  
particularly fast.

I stay out of the final, as I have registered for the 32 mile 4/5  
race which starts shortly after we cross the line.  I roll to the  
car, switch jerseys (already pinned up with another number), guzzle  
some Coke, toss some food into my jersey pockets and head to the line.

Why ride another race?  I am here for the action.

In the 4/5 race, I ride near the front for the first 5 laps or so.   
After that I drift to the back and get ready to go the distance.

We get hammered by rain for a while.  The field slows some, and folks  
are riding safe, leaving extra room.

With 5 laps to go, and my endurance fading, I am starting to feel  
it.  Fortunately for me, the last 5 laps up the hill are the slowest  
of the race, and I remain in no danger of being dropped.  But, my  
muscles are now completely filling with lactic acid each time up.  My  
max power continues to decrease.

Last lap.  I plan to sit out the final, but get an easy tow to 5th  
position up the right side.  I decide to give it a go.  Half way up  
the grade my muscles fail.  I can still pedal, but have little  
power.  I sit down and keep the bike pointed absolutely straight, to  
make it easy and predictable to pass me.  Riders go by with no problem.

It was a good day of good action.  My body continues to get stronger.

Much thanks to Marsha, Norm, Jeff, and Margaret for all their work.

-- Steve.