I purchased a TT bike so that I could compete in the Cascade Classic Stage Race in Bend, Oregon from July 19-21. That course hasn't been posted yet. Last few years it has been a steady climb out and fast descent back to the start. I'll be trying to mimic this course during training.
I love climbing and it just so happened that my first TT race experience was the Stage 6 TT course for Amgen Tour of California! They opened up the course for a charity ride before the Pro's took it over. Not a complete course shut down, but CHP and volunteers did their best to keep the roads clear.
I decided to warm up by riding from my house to the start line. Spina Family Farms is where I would get ready. The ride there is about 17 miles and 54 min. A good warm up for me. I followed my normal routine of eating a bagel and cream cheese for breakfast followed by a Performance Power Bar 45 min before the 10:20am start time.
Started out strong on Bailey Rd climb. I haven't done this short climb since last summer. Got a PR on it. I am going to have to learn about when to stay in the aero drop position as opposed to sitting up a little for turns and climbs. For those that don't know...the bars that stick out on a TT bike only have gearing switches, and no brake controls. It's a pretty unstable feeling to get over. You are really stretched out over the front of your wheel! McKean Rd was a road I am very familiar with and stayed tucked the entire time until we reached Willow Springs Rd. It's another short climb followed by a really fast descent with lots of sharp turns. I got stuck behind a few cars on the descent since the course wasn't closed yet. Slowed me down! We then turned left on Santa Teresa Rd and headed back to Bailey Rd. A good cross wind and headwind on Santa Teresa was keeping it challenging for me to stay aero. We made a right on Bailey Rd and headed to Metcalf Rd for the final climb. Everything felt great so far. My legs were a little cooked, but its because this is a whole new way to ride. Building up the TT power will help me in Road Racing. Metcalf Rd was a brutal climb on a TT bike! 1.6 miles up with 10% avg gradient. Some pitches up to 20%! I passed up lots of road bikes, time trial bikes, and cars. It was pretty packed now as everyone was trying to get up to the finish before the road was shut down. I worked hard and made it to the finish line. Oh and I passed up Fast Freddy right before we made the right turn to the finish! I must say that I was out of breath and be was chatting away :)
The ride back down Metcalf Rd on the TT bike was super uncomfortable! These bikes aren't made for this. I rode back to Spina Family Farms for some fuel and walked with Hanns and Johny over to the expo. Lots of great products and watched some pros start the TT. After riding back home I put in 62 miles on the TT bike! A great first effort on the bike. I'll be putting at least one day a week on the bike for now on.
Thanks for reading!
