My Trans Iowa was the most disappointing one yet. Everything, besides the lack of training, leading up to the ride was going just right. I had the right amount of nerves, I ate like crazy leading up to Saturday, and I even snagged a fair amount of sleep Friday night.
Saturday morning I was still trying to decide exactly the clothing I wanted to wear and I ended up being very comfortable with two layers of wool and my vest. The fog was super thick as I made the short trek to Broad St to wait for the start. I chatted with some other riders, trying to keep warm and not think about what lay ahead. My nerves really ramped up when we lined up, so much so that I was shaking (maybe that was the chilly morning air). With the blast of the handlebar, we were off.
There was a looong line of riders weaving through the streets, I think we started 74. I was riding single speed so I knew I wanted to be toward the back of the pack. I did indeed end up with only one rider behind me. We pedaled maybe 1/4 mile through Grinnell and seeing the riders around me, I began to wonder if I should jockey for position a bit. Knowing that there were 72 riders in front of me, I decided it would be ok to sit back for a while. A final right turn and we hit the gravel. Mark and Dave took off (as far as I know) and we were all on our own.
The roads were in really good condition. I was thinking that it was going to be super muddy, but it turned out to be soupy in spots, but actually very good riding. I stayed in back for maybe 30 minutes and then my legs were ready to spin my regular rpms. I started to pass a few people to try to find a gap in the group. I was feeling ambitious and I wanted to keep my feet moving so I just let them go. I was also trying to start out strong to make sure I made the first checkpoint. Somewhere around mile 12, we all were strung out and hit the first b road.
B roads can be great fun but in my TI experiences, they suck. With all the moisture, the dirt turns into this amazing sticky goo that clogs your bike instantly if you let the tyres touch it. With 50+ riders through already, I was following the trail with everyone else. We hiked the mile or so and ended up on a blacktop road on the other side. After some quick cleaning to make sure my wheels turned and I had somewhat functional brakes, we crossed the highway and continued up the little riser and stopped. 50 some lights were coming back toward us. I wish I could have taken a picture, but my mind was racing, trying to figure out what we were going to do.
The leaders decided to take the highway, so everyone followed. Mob mentality. We raced (I actually felt like I was racing at this point) down the road and took a left that took us back to being on course. On we rode and the field spread out again and I was soon riding by myself. There was something very liberating about riding completely by myself. I didn't have to adjust my riding to match anyone else. But around mile 24, things started to go wrong. I had been riding for a couple hours, hiked the b road, made it back to where I knew my computer was 3 miles extra, and I started to tire. The sun was coming up and with it, the wind started to howl.
My first TI was insane. I have never experienced wind that fierce before or after. But what it taught me, is that there is no hiding from the wind in Iowa. This year was no different. With the sun, came the wind right into my face. And the temperature dropped. I can't prove it, but I swear it was colder with the sun up. The wind and my lack of eating properly, took their toll. I didn't feel like I was bonking, but climbing those hills, and there were some monsters, I was becoming weaker and weaker each time. There was even one point I stopped and walked a hill. I just couldn't keep turning the pedals. Somewhere down the road, maybe mile 32 or so, I stopped again and pulled out a bagel and a Gu packet. I wolfed down half the bagel and pushed on. Amazingly I started to feel a little better, but the wind was still killing me. I was desperate, so I ate the Gu (my first ever!). Mile 40 something we made a turn and were actually riding WITH the wind!
Unfortunately, the wrong turn, the lack of nutrition and the wind combined to make my time too long. About 4 miles from the checkpoint I ran into a rider heading the opposite direction. I had just nearly missed a turn and with the markers I knew I was going the right direction. Turns out, I knew him and he turned around and we rode into Baxter together. My computer said I was about 6 minutes shy of the cutoff time. Not the way I wanted this ride to go. But it is what it is.
I decided that I am finished riding single speed for this event. Yep, that should make everything better.
