Monrovia TT & Litespeed 50km Challenge #3

Last year, before the Mentor race, Amy and I learned not to believe any guy who claims that a race course isn't hilly. Today, I discovered the corollary to that rule: never believe a guy when he says that it isn't windy (which is what Joe said as he drove out of his neighborhood on the way to the TT). Although the temperature was pleasant, the pavement was dry, and the sun was shining, gusty cross and headwinds of 15 mph made for a painful 12+ mile ride to the turn around point, particularly during the 2 or 3 short gradual uphill grades. The return trip to the start was much more pleasant, but I overheard others saying that most people were several minutes slower than usual. Even so, a few people posted PR's. I didn't do that today, but my time suggests that I am getting closer to where I left off at the end of last year.

This was my first race since my shoulder surgery. It was a really hard course because it was so windy. I did this TT on my road bike which didn't make me as areo as I needed but got the job done and road 20K.

This TT was hard on the mind and body. The wind was sweeping the course from the south making the trip out as easy as sailing up wind. Mix this with two turns directly into the wind and you have a recipe for a large helping of lactic acid you won't soon forget.

I caught my 30 second man near the second turn, but as it turns out he was loafing and he sudddenly became motivated realizing I was that close to him. When he passed me, I paced him the rest of the way home. The only fun part was flying with the tail wind. It went by so quickly while I was trying to make up lost time.

My finishing time was really off at 61:11. The only good news was that I wasn't the only one with a poor time.