Category: Tandem (open)
RFA (captain) & MEA (stoker)
Place: 3rd out of a field of 8
Time: 49:49.5
After all the recent rain, it was refreshing to have sunny skies and 50 degree temps on race day. The light fog lifted well before our 10:09:30 (second to last team!) start time. This is the 16 mile "Three Bears Course" with two major climbs and our 3rd annual TTT on the tandem at this event.We did the pre-race analysis and determined that 3rd place was a possibility for us. We determined first and second place would be secured by a significant margin. We projected that four tandem teams would be within one minute of each other competing for 3rd place. So going into the event, we knew that every second would count. Also, we knew that time would be gained or lost on the climbs. We had a good start and settled in to a below threshold pace. When we got to the start of the downhill section, a time check showed that we were approximately at the same time as the previous year. We took the downhill with moderate power and got a little recovery setting up for the right turn and commencing the climbs. Right before the right turn, the tandem team that started 30 seconds behind us passed. I thought "we will see if they can maintain the pace." As we approached the first short climb it became apparent that that team was unable to maintain the pace, and we passed them with ease, not seeing them again until the finish – as it turned out, their time was 59 seconds behind us.We continued along but did not see any other tandems for a while. Right before Mama Bear, we passed the tandem team that started 1 ½ minutes ahead of us – great. As we started our climb up Papa Bear, we passed our "two-minute rabbit" with our one-minute rabbit (male-male tandem team) in sight. After cresting Papa Bear, we put on full power to the finish with a personal best. We were thrilled to capture 3rd place, and as predicted, only 59 seconds separated 3rd and 6th place. And it doesn't get much better than winning a pound of Peet's coffee.
RFA (captain) & MEA (stoker)
Place: 3rd out of a field of 8
Time: 49:49.5
After all the recent rain, it was refreshing to have sunny skies and 50 degree temps on race day. The light fog lifted well before our 10:09:30 (second to last team!) start time. This is the 16 mile "Three Bears Course" with two major climbs and our 3rd annual TTT on the tandem at this event.We did the pre-race analysis and determined that 3rd place was a possibility for us. We determined first and second place would be secured by a significant margin. We projected that four tandem teams would be within one minute of each other competing for 3rd place. So going into the event, we knew that every second would count. Also, we knew that time would be gained or lost on the climbs. We had a good start and settled in to a below threshold pace. When we got to the start of the downhill section, a time check showed that we were approximately at the same time as the previous year. We took the downhill with moderate power and got a little recovery setting up for the right turn and commencing the climbs. Right before the right turn, the tandem team that started 30 seconds behind us passed. I thought "we will see if they can maintain the pace." As we approached the first short climb it became apparent that that team was unable to maintain the pace, and we passed them with ease, not seeing them again until the finish – as it turned out, their time was 59 seconds behind us.We continued along but did not see any other tandems for a while. Right before Mama Bear, we passed the tandem team that started 1 ½ minutes ahead of us – great. As we started our climb up Papa Bear, we passed our "two-minute rabbit" with our one-minute rabbit (male-male tandem team) in sight. After cresting Papa Bear, we put on full power to the finish with a personal best. We were thrilled to capture 3rd place, and as predicted, only 59 seconds separated 3rd and 6th place. And it doesn't get much better than winning a pound of Peet's coffee.
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