Really great event on some absolutely superb gravel roads.
Sadly my day didn't go according to plan. Got there early enough to have a coffee and do a warmup. Then got the great news that the beginning of the race would be neutralized due to the heavy mist. Wonderful, more time to warm up the old legs. Was sitting up front near the lead out car and about 500m before we were let go, I moved out of line to clear my nose and my sunnies fell off the top of my helmet. They were fairly new Salice's so no option but to turn around.... Urghhhhhh. Bye bye bunch, all the way back to last position.
Obviously missed the big jump when the riders were let go at Lady Lock and spent the first part chasing all alone like a dog. Saw a new max HR number as one point and decided to sit up. I'm still recovering from a cold so a new HR max's was not something I wanted to see.
Eventually got caught by a group of around 10 which included some strong ladies in pink.
Rode with them until just before the first feed zone and was grateful for some wheels to sit and try recover. A few kays before the feed my glasses felt off from behind my neck.... Urghhhhh, what a bloody amateur move 🙄
Lost that group and then basically rode solo most of the way back on the return leg. Everyone I caught was too buggered to assist so it became a slog. With around 10km to go my legs leg off from the solo effort, which wasn't a good thing because most of the climbing happened towards the end of the ride. I had to limp home and finished around mid-pack.
Not the ride I was hoping for but the great venue and awesome route made up for it 🤙 Winning a lucky draw prize sweetened the day somewhat.
Frustrating part was I never got to use my sunnies all day, they were too dirty from the thick mist and falls, I could have just left them in the bakkie 😩
Winning Vets time show average speeds of around 34km/h... the toppies don't hang about 😄
