The End of Speed Training

Today’s ride with the Severna Park Peloton marked the last of my speed work for RAAM.  It was a fun, fast day.

Last night, Scott W notified the group that Thursday would be “Torture Thursday” and “Chip says he wants to crush souls. I hope to hang on.”

As a result of this, I contemplated leaving the fixie at home so I could ride a geared bike, but my geared bikes are all set up and ready for RAAM, so I rode the fixie.  I was the only one who showed up on a fixed gear bike.

The pace was quick from the start, and only got faster.  The group divided into three parts, the really fast guys, Dan & I, and those who decided not to race.  Dan and I stayed close, but couldn’t close the gap that happened as we went up the first hill.  At the turn around, we reconnected with the lead group and stayed with them through the end of the ride.

When it was all done, I had set a personal record for the main part of the ride (21.5 mph avg.) … on my fixie!  I also achieved 37.2 mph on that fixie, which meant that my rpms were about 165!  Yes, those legs were a spinning blur.

It is time now to back off the speed work and to ride to just keep the legs loose for the next week or so.

Tomorrow I load my bikes and gear into the van for the trip out to California.  Next Wednesday I fly out for a few days of final preparation and the race begins June 20 @ approximately 3:15 p.m. Easter Daylight Time.  I’m looking forward to it.