Finishing the Way I Started

Today was, probably, my last race of the season. I don't have a cyclocross bike (and I do have a bit of fear of crashing), so I won't be doing the cyclocross season.

I finished my first racing season the same way I started--with a Time Trial. However, this TT was more than twice as long as my first one. Today's TT was 40 km (24.85 miles). My first was just 10 miles (although at the time it seemed like a lot). I discovered I like the longer TT! Really, not a surprise. What do I do most in the cycling realm? Ride by myself, of course! What is a TT? A bike ride by oneself! It just happens to be faster.

Today I was especially faster because I was wearing my new aero helmet.

I was also using my new Profile Design Carbon Stryke Aero Bars

Notice how they match the bike?

How much faster? Well, I don't really have a side-by-side comparison as I have never done a 40k TT, but I can say that I've never done a 40k bike ride by myself with an average speed of 21.77mph! 

I managed to pass three gals (one of the three passed me near the beginning, but I passed her near the end--woo hoo!). This is one of the rare opportunities to actually race against women closer to my age (Masters 35+ Cat 4 Women). I pulled out a solid 4th place finish. The three gals who finished ahead of me were all on actual TT bikes (the ones with the aero frames and wheels). I didn't feel so bad! I was happy with my time of 1:07:35.

Even though my racing season may be finished, I'll continue to ride with my team posse. I'll be thinking about next season...