We got started at 9:20 and the three false flat miles and first climb were good for working days 1 and 2 out of the legs. The pace was brisk but not uncomfortable. Things got a bit hairy in that 20 mile predominantly downhill section with the rough pavement. It seemed like wheels were going flat left and right while we were cruising along at 30+ mph. It was rather exciting. The SRAM guys were kept busy with their support, but they made quick work of it and everyone who had a flat was back with the pack before we hit the first hot spot sprint. Things got crazy as soon as we hit the climb on North Rd. We were still several miles out of the QOM sprint point, but the difficulty of the pace skyrocketed and the pack shattered. I was in the 4th group on the road and we bridged up to the third group. Groups 1 and 2 were up ahead and my group worked hard to catch the group in front of us and we pushed over the QOM and onto the feed zone. In the feed zone some guys were telling us we were 30 seconds back and some guys were telling us we were 1:30 back. Seemed like an awful big difference, but there wasn't much time to worry on that as we surged again with renewed drive. Next up was the turn onto Prospect Road and we saw the SRAM car ahead - that meant groups 1 and 2 were back together. Having them in sight caused our effort to increase again and for me that meant getting popped on the dirt downhill along with 3 others. We made the turn back onto rt 4 and started chasing the pack. The rest of our group had caught on to the group ahead somewhere on the dirt. My little groupetto of four dug deep and we each took a few monster pulls and then we caught on again.
At this point there were still a number of riders off the back who had gotten shelled on North Rd. One or two of then managed to get back on in the rolling to false flat leading up to the turn onto east mountain. As soon as we went around that corner the pace sky rocketed again. It was insane. The pitch was steepest at the bottom and then eased a little as it continued to stair step up. I kept the front group in sight for about half of the climb and then drifted back. I ended up 6 minutes back on the winner. The hardest part of the climb was the complete and utter lack of shade in the 80+ degree heat. I found that mentally very difficult to overcome.
Shortly after finishing I refilled my bottles and turned around and headed back down the mountain. With traffic and fields still coming up the hill and bad pavement and the additional climbing (funny how I didn't notice any downhills on the way up) the ride down wasn't quite the reward I was hoping for, but apart from needing new brakes, M'lady and I survived. Then it was back to Castleton to shower and load up the last few items and by 3:30 I was on the road again for Ithaca. Traffic was not as bad as I had feared it would be and I pulled into the driveway around 8.
Today was an early day at the lab (to make up for having been gone for three days). I did make it home in time for the Tuesday night ride. I planned to ride out to the venue (flattish loop) with the group and then do the loop in reverse taking it easy. However, they split into three groups and I figured it would be "safe" (easy enough) to go with the C group if I did not make any moves. I didn't make any moves off the front, but I did help the others bridge a gap a couple times, in particular helping a woman I have not noticed on other Tuesday rides. It was a lot of fun and my heart rate didn't get too high and my legs felt pretty darned good. I was surprised. Tomorrow is ladies ride night and I plan to attend with the LBBD.
Results are posted on the Killington Stage Race web page.
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