Saturday, April 26, 2008

SW Ohio Senior Olympics 20K TT


Okay, it's official, I'm a senior....citizen? No, how about "Olympian"?. (Is it legal for a "senior" anything to wear pigtails, and call herself PopsTART. Sadly, probably not.)

But today, I can call myself a Senior Olympian, a silver medalist senior Olympian no less!

Todays race, which was cold and wet, didn't have a very big turn out. Next Saturday, we'll return for the remaining events (5K, 10K and the 1 mile TTs).

Now, it's off to the early bird special! ....(sorry, Seinfeld reference)

Thursday, April 24, 2008

2nd /3rd Colavita & 1st Fast Lap Races

I've been slackin'-- as far as updating my blog...

I wanted to update my blog with details about my races, but somehow, I just couldn't find the time. So... now, I have to play a little catch-up.

The 2nd Colvita Time Trial was a shut-out. When we awoke, the fog was thick as pea soup. But, we decided to go anyway. The trip to Greenville was a nightmare. We creped along in the fog, barely being able to see. For us to get to Greenville, we have to drive about halfway on the Interstate and rest of the way on a back road country highway. The fog on the interstate was pretty bad, but the fog on the country highway was horrible. We came up on a horrendous crash (on the country highway) that involved a car and a semi-truck, it was BAD. We finally made it to the race and signed-in, knowing that we would have a delayed start. After waiting 2 hours and the fog never lifting, the promoter had to cancel the race. But, the good news was that everyone that showed up got credited with first place points.

The 3rd Colavita Time Trial was (once again) brutal. 21MPH (sustained) headwind that would gust to 28 MPH straight out of the W/SW. The course (naturally) went West for 7 miles and then back East for 5 miles. The trip out was absolutly miserable. That dang wind would literally blow me over to the edge of the road. And, the lack of sunshine and the temp in the 40s didn't help matters. I was killin' myself pedaling and would only be going 10-12 MPH. I checked my max speed at the turn around and it was 17MPH (and that was after going down a big hill!). But, I must say the return trip was great. I was flying! I did manage to come home with a second place medal (guess how many showed up in my class) and some more Colavita Pasta and Sauce (yummy!).


First race of the Fast Lap Series was great! The weather was PERFECT (temp in the mid 70's). I felt great aerobically, so I guess all those miles I "rode" in the basement over the winter helped. But, my problem is (still) my bike handling skills. I still don't have the confidence to push it through the corners or in between tight trees. And, of course, I still have issues with the bridges. But, I pulled off a second place win - only getting beat by 1:20 by a gal that's (at least) 20 years younger than me- so I'm pretty happy about that.



This Saturday is the South-West Ohio (Cincinnati) Senior Olympics. Right now, the weather does not look promising. 60% chance of rain and probably in the mid 40s. Ugh!

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Standin' at Americas crossroads

Today, Pops and I worked as Corner Marshals for a road race hosted by Team Dayton. I have always enjoyed my "assignments" as a volunteer for bike events and today was no exception. I know, to the average person, standing at the side of the road, watching groups of bike riders whiz by may not sound like fun, but I find it to be quite enjoyable. And, we couldn't have asked for a better day! The sun was out and the temp was in the mid 60s.

Our assigned corner was out in the MIDDLE of nowhere! Pops and I were laughing that we were in the middle of "Cornfield County" Ohio (do you remember Hee-Haw?)! I think we saw (maybe) 10 cars the whole time we were out there. I think this bike race was the only exciting thing that has (or will ever) happen at that corner (although I did find some sort of animal skull down in the ravine next to the road so something actually happen there at least once).

Here's a couple pictures I took on their first lap...



A tight, 90 degree turn-