Covington Century 

by Michael McGee (L5 Flyers)

I had a blast hanging with the front pack for the first 30 minutes or so. Speeds got up over 34 mph so I feel back to the next wave that was still doing 30 on the flats. 

The only advantage was that it slowed me down enough to be able to be caught by the next wave including the three female L5Flyers that were riding with us. I really enjoyed riding with the L5Flyers girls (Cristienne Herron, Caroline Bragdon and Julie Granger) for the rest of the ride. We even "protected" the KOM jersey that Caroline was wearing on the ride today quite well (as was remarked at by some of the triathletes out there). We caught teammate Chad Strickland at the second sag stop and set out on our way.

But, alas, those railroad tracks after the split for the 50 decided to do me in! I went over them after the third sag stop (which we had skipped) and I thought I heard a pop but everything looked ok so I didn't think too much about it until I heard a LOUD pop from the rear wheel and started feeling a wobble 6 miles later down the road. Yep, broke a spoke and the rim was pretty much trashed. I turned around and started to retrace my steps back to the 50 turn off as I thought it would be the quickest way back considering I hadn't seen the 75 mile turn off. It worked out ok. I got back to the rest stop checked the rear rim and brake again only to find it was still hitting badly. Had to loosen the brake cable up to get it to stop rubbing. Refueled at the sag stop and rode solo all the way back in without too much further trouble. Oh well, now I don't have an excuse not to ride my new Bianchi Centaur SL from Outback Bikes!!

Ended up with a ride time of 3:14 covering 62 miles for a 19.2 mph average speed. Not too shabby considering that last solo, wobbly hour.

Scott Beam was in the lead pack and took 4th with a time of 4:14, Bruce Belden 6th overall, Lincoln Weis and Walter Stark also in the lead pack representing the L5FLyers. Erick Pierce, Ronnie Bratcher and Tom Weschler from the team also there ending up finishing in 4:40!

Michael