Cazenovia Hill Bender

Yesterday I took part in my first ever bike race, the Cazenovia Hill Bender. It was a blast!

I was really excited as it was something new, but wasn't sure how I would do as you have to know how to ride a bike to do well in a bike race. In a triathlon, you can play the power meter game, stick to your race and all is well. However, in a bike race, in takes grits and smarts to pull it off, or as MM says, "you will get spat."

Coming into the day I was the leader in the Du Tri Hills race series. So, my main goal was to make sure the guy in 2nd and 3rd place didn't breakaway; and if they did I would simply hang on. Beyond that, I would just stick with the lead pack as long as I could.

It was cold and rainy all day, and the route was HILLY. Things started really easy, but within the first few minutes the pace picked up. By about mile 7-8, a few packs formed and by mile 10-11 there were 6 of us off the group with a pretty good gap.

This was the first time I looked at the power meter, and saw an average of 310 watts and was a bit concerned, no way I can hold that for nearly 2 hours. However, it's a bike race, not a triathlon so I wasn't going to allow some device manage my race. Just stick to the pack and my power is my power. If I could hang on I would, if I couldn't, I'd learn about my limits.

The hills kept coming, but I was able to keep up with the lead group no problem. As the race went on, I realized this was going to be the effort to the finish line, that would probably finish with a sprint; a gear I simply do not have.

The race finished up Route 13 in Caz, a steady climb with some great views. Sure enough, about .5 miles from the finish a couple guys went off the front and I just didn't have the gear and crossed the line in 6th OA about 30 seconds back from first. That's actually quite a bit of time in my mind since I was with the group all day, but out of 60+ riders and my first bike race, I'll take it. Something to work on!

I secured the Du Tri Hills Championship, and a nice little cash bonus that came with it. Also, I won the Speedy Gonzalez award for the first rider to cross a pre determined line in the race.

I ended up averaging 315 watts/323 NP for the 39 mile race, which was just over 1:52.

So, a pretty solid effort, and something you would never discover on a tri bike by yourself....even if you taped up the display.

An effort like that is only going to happen in a group during a race.

I'm very happy with the result, as it showed some grit and I proved to myself the ability to ride smart in a group.

Definitely see more bike racing in my future.