Race: Battenkill is an Epic Race, something that should go on everyone's bucket list. It has been around for a number of years, This was my 3rd ass kicking and I only entered it this year because my Son wanted to do it and he couldn't because of recent surgery. The race attracts over 3500 riders and is the biggest road race in the US.
Course: Nothing youget here in Southeastern New England......over 4900ft of climbing in 65 miles with 1/3 of that dirt roads, like I said......EPIC! Did I mention Í haven't considered myself a climber since I was a 140lb Junior Racer?
Over 4900 ft of Climbing |
TSR Players: Andy, Chris, Kevin, (Cat 5) Duane Cat 4 40+
The Travel: Since it was far away we got a hotel in near by Saratoga Springs. Nothing better than cramming 5 guys and 5 bikes in a room meant for 4. Bikes were everywhere including replacing the kitchen sink.
The Race: My race started at 1030 am, I typically like to get there an hour early to prep and warm up if needed. You don't really need to warm up for a long road race unless there are climbs close to the start. This race usually heats up about 6 mile out as you take a left turn and have to go through a covered bridge. This will really speed things up and go from a pack of about 10 wide to 1 or two wide. The key to going through the bridge is to be in the front so not to get into a traffic jam. I stayed in the top 15 from the start so it was not a problem. We approached the bridge going about 28mph. I heard that ill fated scrape of metal on pavement and out of the corner of my eye I saw a guy on the outside do a faceplant, not a good day for him. I made it through the bridge with out any issues as again it is important to stay in th front. After the bridge you hit a dirt section for about 3 miles, it is typically compact dirt so no real worries, the pace does not let up on the dirt. My realistic goal was to make it in the pack over the first two climbs, This is where I've had trouble in the past (again I''m a 180lb sprinter). The first is a 2.4% gradual climb for 2.7 miles the second is a real ass kicker, the second is only .2 mi but averages out at 13.8% ......on dirt! Going into the first climb I stayed in the top 10 so if I lost any position I would still be in the pack, we gunned it and I was happy that I managed to hold my ground, leaving me in the front the next climb. I again suprised myself, I did lose some positioning on the climb but managed to still be in contact cresting the top. The 10lbs I lost since January was paying off. We doddled along through some false flat areas, never really picking up the pace that much with nobody really wanting to put a heavy attack on. (good recovery time after the hills). The next kicker was coming up at 26miles (Joe Bean rd), this is a 1.2 mile climb which averages 6.4%, this could be the death of me in this race. I started the climb at the front of the pack and gradually made my way back......ouch this one was killing me. There is nothing worse than being 20 meters behind the main group and not being able to do anything about it. Luckily the right after the climb there is 3 miles of 6 -9% decents the first mile being on dirt. This is where what my son calls my downhill fat comes in handy. I started to ramp it up passing people at 40mph on hard pack dirt. The cyclocross comes in real handy. I linked up with a group that was chasing hard to catch back on, we all worked together and caught the group after 2 miles of chasing, just in time to attempt to recover for the next climb, Cassidy Rd. While it is listed as a 2.4% climb for two miles it seemed like stairs goin up and up until the top. This is where I popped, the climbing, the chasing, I didn't have it ti stay with the group, I was not the only one, there were guys stretched out. I was pretty happy that I had made it 35 miles with the group. Basically I just started riding at a good tempo pace for the rest of the race linking up and working with guys here and there. I finally finished with a tiem of 3:31, averging 18.5 mph with a max speed of 49mph. My time was 10 minutes faster than last year with an added 3 miles and extra climbing. Everytime I finish Battenkill I typically saw never again, it's just not my style of riding, suffering on climbs etc.....I'm sure I'll be back next year as I have now recovered!