The next stop of my season arrived on Father's day this year. Instead of sleeping in and getting breakfast in bed, I was up early to have some breakfast and head North. I made the hour trip up to Rockford. I arrived at Luton Park around 9:30. The lot was pretty empty, so I found a spot easily. I wandered over to registration and got my number plate.
Almost forgot, this song was playing on my way up. lol. MORE COWBELL!!!!
I had plenty of time to get set up and get the legs loosened up. With only one ride this past week I was getting some tightness in my calves. I took the time to stretch, which is something I don't know if I have ever done before a race. Feeling relaxed, I started a warmup. By warmup, I rolled around the parking lot for a while just soft pedaling and trying to loosen up the legs.
Luton isn't very big, so after a few laps I rolled up onto 10 mile and did a little loop out. Closer to the start I went out there again and put in an effort on the climb to see what my HR would do. It elevated nicely and I headed to the start line.
I was the 5th person off the line, as a few people had not shown up to race. This was going to mean little to no traffic for me to pass. I chatted with the starter for a second and it was time to go. 3....2...1...GO.
I was off the line. For some reason I had some trouble clipping in, but got it after the first corner. I started hard. I was going so fast that I wasn't cornering well. I was taking them wide and sloppy. I just wasn't settled in yet. It did get much better, just took a second to get my bearings.
I was thru the first section and into the wide trail and I was feeling good. I knew that lurking behind me was Chris. He is a super fast clyde that kills me at every event we are at together. I had a goal of not getting caught by him on the first lap, so I was pushing pretty good. Plus, I just didn't want to get passed by a lot of people. Luton has plenty of passing areas, but mentally its rough when people are flying past all race.
I got settled in and found a comfortable pace. My heart rate was climbing so I knew I had to calm myself a bit. I didn't want to torch the first lap and struggle through the second. The first climb showed its teeth but I was able to hold a steady rhythm to the top. Not fast, but steady enough to be happy with the results. I was finally feeling comfortable and was focused on the task at hand.
I came into the connector hot, and when the loop kicks back right I nearly missed a turn. I was fighting with my camel pack, lol. Little things. Heading into the Orange loop I was feeling good. Muscle memory for handling was finally starting to take over. So far so good, took a drink and pressed onward to the black loop. Here is where I saw the first rider coming behind me. Not bad, made it almost 3 miles before being overtaken. I will take that. On top of that, I started to reel in the guy ahead of me. I settled back in and kept going. I could see the guy I was chasing again, this time I had a better understanding of the distance. I went into chase mode to catch him. Still took me a bit, but eventually I caught him. This was towards the end of the black loop, and nearly 2/3 of way into the first lap. I did pass two other guys here, but it seems like they were just riding (during a race....ugh).
Next up is my least favorite climb on the course. Just feels like someone throws out an anchor and I am super slow. I made the right into Red and started the climb. I love this loop, but I need to improve on this hill. Once over the top I was into my rhythm again. Trying to relax on the downhills and carry speed into each section. About halfway thru red I could see another guy coming. I just rode my race. Its funny, because in this section you can see riders everywhere...but they might not be close. They could be ahead, or behind. Fun section. Before long, I was finishing my first lap.
Time: 0:41:59
With a goal of breaking 90 minutes, I was well on my way. I used my flask to take a shot of gel, but couldn't get it back into my pocket for a minute. Had to fight with it. nearly crashed. almost crashed again. Finally was able to get it back in and fire off my 2nd lap.
LAP 2
After shaking off a mental breakdown from that damn flask, I was able to get back into rhythm. I was shocked that only 1 guy passed me, but wasn't complaining either. The second time up the first climb was a bit slower, but still not terrible. I struggled near the end, but was able to clear it and get moving again.
About halfway thru the yellow I got caught by the fast Chris. I chalk it up as a win to have held him off as long as I did. He was eventually the winner of Sport Clyde. Another guy snuck past with him, and I was again on my own. I was able to keep them in sight for a minute, but just in the long straight away. haha.
Towards the end of the Orange loop another guy caught me. I pushed hard in the last section because it is so narrow that passing isn't feasible. So I pushed to not hold him up as much. when the trail opened up he passed and was gone. I took the nice descent and wide section to recover before diving back into the Black loop. It was pretty quiet on this section. Nothing really happened good or bad. I just rode as hard as I could.
That damn climb on the red....ugh. Slow and steady up that hog again. I cleared it, and was ready to be done. I kept pushing as hard as I could, knowing if I slowed down that it would just take longer. lol. I could see another guy coming, but could do little to hold him off. He passed and disappeared just as fast. I finally reached the last section and pushed as hard as I could. I crossed the line and took a second to slow my breathing down. I was done and dusted.
I took 2nd place in Sport Clyde Open with a time of 1:25:53.
My lap times were 41:59 and 43:34. I felt like my 2nd lap was so much slower, but in reality it was pretty close. I set a PR on this route by over 6 minutes. what a day!
Looking at my time, I am more than satisfied. I had three goals really for the day.
1. Don't get caught on 1st lap by Chris.
2. Break 90 minutes
3. Podium
Chris didn't catch me until into the second lap. Goal 1.
I broke 90 minutes by over 4 minutes. Goal 2.
I took 2nd place. Goal 3.
The trifecta was achieved for me today. Luton is such a fun place to ride and this was a very fun event. I have never done it over the course of its 6 years, but I am glad I did. It felt good to be back racing after missing one with sickness and another with other obligations.
With my 2nd place finish I am up to 3rd in the standings. However, one guy is actually qualified so he is the technical leader at the moment. He sits 4th by points, but 1st by qualified racers. He has 4 under his belt while others (including myself) have 3. Once people qualify it will change things again, but I am happy to be here I am after 5 races in the series. With 3 more to go, a lot can happen.
Next up is Addison Oaks in a few weeks. I haven't ridden there in 10 years, so I am looking forward to another fun day.
Keep moving forward my friends.
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