Post by dgaddis1 on Mar 18, 2012 11:20:25 GMT -5
Yesterday a few folks from the CSRA went out to Conyers to ride in the Chain Buster race, we all did the 6hr race. Haby and his son were on a two man team, as were Walter and David. Nitro and I both rode solo.
The course was fun, but challenging. It was a 7.5 mile loop on the non-granite side, using some horsetrails and bike trails. A little rooty, but really fast. No really long climbs, but lots of steep ones, I used my granny ring a good bit. The approach to the finish started with a short steep downhill into a loooong only slightly downhill run. You could pedal in the big ring at 30mph, or sit up and coast at 20mph. It was a nice way to finish a lap.
My goal for the day was six laps. On lap two I finally caught Nitro and then accidently pulled the bite valve off my camelbak hose - whoops! Gatorade everywhere. Luckily I was able to find the valve, without it I'd have been screwed. I stopped once to lend someone a CO2, then stopped and converted a girl's bike to single speed (she had broke her derailleur and had a 5 mile walk back to the finish), then when I caught back up to her (yeah yeah yeah....) I helped get her wheel back in the dropouts, someone she managed to pull it out. I finished my 6th lap with an hour left on the clock, but decided not to do a 7th. It was hot (85ish I think) and I was on the verge of cramping, so I called it a day. 45 miles in 5hrs including all the stops, I was happy with that.
Walter and David killed it and finished 8 laps with 15mins to spare, and took the win in their class. They were the only ones in their class, but still, I think they'd have made the podium even if there were some competition.
Not sure how Team Haby or Nitro did, hopefully they'll chime in.
I got a good jump on my annual farmers/cyclist tan.
Walter and David get their medals.
The course was fun, but challenging. It was a 7.5 mile loop on the non-granite side, using some horsetrails and bike trails. A little rooty, but really fast. No really long climbs, but lots of steep ones, I used my granny ring a good bit. The approach to the finish started with a short steep downhill into a loooong only slightly downhill run. You could pedal in the big ring at 30mph, or sit up and coast at 20mph. It was a nice way to finish a lap.
My goal for the day was six laps. On lap two I finally caught Nitro and then accidently pulled the bite valve off my camelbak hose - whoops! Gatorade everywhere. Luckily I was able to find the valve, without it I'd have been screwed. I stopped once to lend someone a CO2, then stopped and converted a girl's bike to single speed (she had broke her derailleur and had a 5 mile walk back to the finish), then when I caught back up to her (yeah yeah yeah....) I helped get her wheel back in the dropouts, someone she managed to pull it out. I finished my 6th lap with an hour left on the clock, but decided not to do a 7th. It was hot (85ish I think) and I was on the verge of cramping, so I called it a day. 45 miles in 5hrs including all the stops, I was happy with that.
Walter and David killed it and finished 8 laps with 15mins to spare, and took the win in their class. They were the only ones in their class, but still, I think they'd have made the podium even if there were some competition.
Not sure how Team Haby or Nitro did, hopefully they'll chime in.
I got a good jump on my annual farmers/cyclist tan.
Walter and David get their medals.