I'd been building up the miles and the intensity slowly and last week PB'ed my 25-mile TT circuit and rode a century in training. I was quietly confident of being able to get around therefore. After the first 30-40 miles my confidence was at a high, I'd breezed the first section, flying up any climbs that we came across. My average speed told me that I was going to get Gold standard by a distance at this rate. Soon after, the course direction changed however as did the level of my confidence! The wind assist we'd had to that point became obvious as it became a head wind and the relentless short, sharp climbs began. The easy Gold became a battle to save Silver!
Around the half way mark my worst fears were realised as the sharp knee pain returned. Oh sh*t! I felt my Etape dream slipping away. I backed off and took it easy for a while and it seemed to help. However, 10 miles or so later another twinge. I was a very nervous man for the 3rd quarter of the ride but thankfully it settled down and I was able to finish more strongly. A good job too as the organisers had thrown in a nice 20% climb at the 90-mile mark. I (and the knee) came through that OK and my confidence was on a high again.
I finished in 6:31:47, which gave me a silver classification and placed me 17th out of 127 starters (13.4%) and 107 finishers (15.9%). So the test was passed but I don't think with flying colours given the near collapse half way through. Nevertheless, a pass is a pass and Pau here we come. Woo hoo!
Thanks to SRS for a well organised event. The course was well designed, lulling you into a false sense of security before pummelling you with a barrage of body shots. It was excellently way-marked as well and with 4 good feed stops and free food at the end, you can't go wrong.
Terrific news and great ride. I'm almost certain that I crossed your route around the Crowborough area. Saw quite a few riders with numbers and wondered what was going on and maybe this explains it. Silver with a dodgy knee!? You'll love the Etape I think and seems to me that you will get round fine even if you have to ease off and save the knee if it starts to play up.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny because I rode out with 4 other guys who I didn't know but found out they were doing the Etape. We were all quite nervy and one bloke clattered into a bollard, bike and body all over the place. His first words were, "phew I think I'm OK - I thought that was the Etape dream well and truly over!".
Sounds like it would have been us. I did see a group coming the other way at one point, I nearly turned round and followed as I thought I was going the wrong way.
ReplyDeleteGuess it's a nervous time for everyone. Sounds like your build up has goon great though.