Headed up to Fairbanks for a few days of cycling, concentrating mainly in two time trial. The first one was a hill climb in pouring rain, 6 miles up a 5% grade and a head wind on the Parks Highway just east of Fairbanks. I always do poorly time-wise on steep hills, but always finish feeling fine. The next day was the criterium which I avoid having no experience in crowd riding and would be a hazard. On Saturday's TT, I did 20 miles of rolling terrain out and back @ averaging barely above 20 mph. I was really happy about that as I've been at this for a few years and 20mph has been a goal. Bu this was a pretty short tt, as I prefer a 50 miler and requires a bit more endurance. If I had averaged a mph faster I would not have come in last in the 40+Masters. (I'm 57). I had never ridden any part of the course. 3 more TT in the state this summer staggered a month apart.
The criterium was held on a tarhead track in redneck NorthPole, which was really ironic at least to me….."burn calories, not fuel."
While I enjoy some time on my mountain bike in winter, its all about speed once the snow melts around here. Worked hard putting in 100 mile weeks to prepare for this event The Fairbanks riders were all very solid. The Steese Highway venue for the time trial was great on a paved two lane highway winding through soft hills and pretty much no traffic.
Here's a short video of the Tour Of Fairbanks. Check out the "vette" of Bad Bob Baker. He's a 56yo legend in cycling in Alaska and even more so on a mountain bike in winter.
The criterium was held on a tarhead track in redneck NorthPole, which was really ironic at least to me….."burn calories, not fuel."
While I enjoy some time on my mountain bike in winter, its all about speed once the snow melts around here. Worked hard putting in 100 mile weeks to prepare for this event The Fairbanks riders were all very solid. The Steese Highway venue for the time trial was great on a paved two lane highway winding through soft hills and pretty much no traffic.
Here's a short video of the Tour Of Fairbanks. Check out the "vette" of Bad Bob Baker. He's a 56yo legend in cycling in Alaska and even more so on a mountain bike in winter.
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