About 30 minutes north of Dr. DBs is a recreation area called Bartlett Lake. As we pulled into the parking lot at the top my buddy Feebs was already there ready to roll. We all said our hellos, commented on each others weight, checked out any new Ironman tattoos (Feebs) and started our usual banter. As we set the rule to count mile markers as sprint signs. I, in usual fashion, took most of the mile marker sprint signs on the way down. It isn't all down hill though. There are a few ups and downs as you can see in the profile below so it wasn't just tuck and go. Dr. DB jumped me for mile 3 on an uphill. I worked hard to try to get him but didn't quite get it. I didn't know it was possible but my Heart Rate Monitor showed 2 separate peaks above 220 with the Max at 248 in the first 5 miles! I might have started out a little hot since this was all in the first 30 minutes. Feebs got one or two sprint signs on the way in as well. MD would only say that sprint signs don't matter. You know what that means, he wanted to "win the stage". Here is the profile.
We all regrouped at the bottom and took a little detour on an 4 mile out and back section to check out more of the reservoir. I've never take this road before so it was new to me. Bartlett Lake is a nice little boating oasis in the middle of the desert. We took our time to catch up a little bit. It was the last real pleasant moments of the day. As we got back on to the main road to head the 13 miles out, it was all GAME ON. Feebs took the early lead looked to be taking all the sprint signs. I can't say for sure because I never saw him again. He is riding crazy good right now. I was really impressed. MD went up the road next and I could do nothing about it. I had blown my legs on the way down so I figured Dr. DB and I would just casually ride out together. It would be a nice brotherly bonding time. We would get caught up on family and chat about life. That's when he pulled the dagger...Dr. DB gapped me and took off. I tried to hang on but just couldn't find the strength. Before I knew it, everyone was out of sight and I was all alone at the back. At some point I just set my own pace and tried to enjoy the ride.
After I got to the top, I found these stooges all looking at me recounting the race I never saw. MD caught Feebs just before the last sprint sign and got the fastest climb of the day. Feebs gave him all that he could handle taking every sign but the last one. Dr. DB put 5-10 minutes on me and they were all grinning like clams. I figured I could either be pissed or get over it. Those that know me well will attest that I rarely get upset about stuff like this so in my usual fashion I let it roll off…like water on a duck. Feebs had to get along but MD, Dr. DB and I decided to roll back down and climb the last 5 miles again. The stage was set for my triumphant return. We casually rolled to mile marker 5 and turned around. It was all good until MD jumped with 3 left. I went with him this time and we slugged it out all the way to the top. He went, and I stayed but couldn't counter. I went and he stayed but couldn't counter. It went like this until the last 500 yards. I went one more time, MD marked me and came around. My legs were burning like hell and I couldn't grab his wheel. Once again my Herat Rate Monitor was up in the 190s. Alas, MD got the second victory of the day. Since I spent most of day alone, I had no choice but to take a self-portrait.
Stats
40 miles (2:40 - this is an estimate since my Garmin died, stupid thing)
No comments:
Post a Comment