by Chris Jackson, Boneshaker's Cycling Team
Here are some mumblings about Greenville...
River Falls RR-March 1
Extreme Speed! 25.5 average over the 60+ mile lap. I just hung on
for dear life and managed to do so, which I'm pretty happy about. The lap
climb isn't a killer but a 23 would be nice. My heartrate was pegged on
the lap climb each and every time....so I just used the remaining 5+ miles to
recover and... <cough> chase. Finished in the pack, top 30 or so.
Dividing Waters-March 8
Assassins! This climb is indeed a killer. The lap climb this year
was the monster finish climb used in previous years. We had to go up it
each lap. Terrible day for me. Note to self: "For the love of God and
everything Holy....do not leave Atlanta without a 25." I got shelled
on the first non-neutral climb up this thing.... I got in a group of 6
fellow unlucky souls and we worked for 2 laps with no success. It was
pretty demoralizing. We lost one or two...then they lost me. I could
not get up
that hill with any form! There was a guy sitting at the top of that thing
that I must have been scaring to death. I was breathing so hard I was
making the wildlife jittery. I just keep tooling along and felt a little
better when I realized how many people were in the same boat. The 2003
Dividing Waters was indeed one of the hardest races I've ever done...and I
hardly participated! The climb was atrocious....my hat is off to all those
guys and gals who hauled their cans up with form and rode well....you're b*d *ss.
Donaldson Center-March 9
I always dread Donaldson Center and I don't know why...it's actually a great
course. I felt really good. But late in the race about a 100 guys split
off and I got stuck in the 2nd group. I have no idea how or when it
happened. It may have happened in spurts on the 8th and/or 9th lap. It
seemed after coming thru the start/finish there were about three groups of
4 or 5 guys that slowly melted into one main group ~30 seconds up the road. We
tried a few bridges but it was obvious it was over. So then the group I'm
in is sprinting for 20th place or whatever...which I completely botched. I
felt pretty good, but instead of a true sprint attempt I flip out and do this 1K
flyer thing that works to everyone's advantage but mine.....typical. Need
to buy a bag of patience....quick.
A word of thanks to all the great people responsible for the all these training
series in Greenville. Your doing a great job year after year.