We ventured to the "other side of the river" today as we headed to Augusta, Georgia for a trial run of the Augusta Half IM course. We had a nice 10-15 car paceline zipping down I-20 with our bikes in tow, drafting along the way. There was a moment of clarity and childlike excitement within as reality hit me that all of the cyclists in line and I will actually soon be a part of something "bigger" when we complete 70.3. What a unique experience!
In addition to checking out the unknown route ahead, I was looking forward to meeting my Atlanta tri buddy,Teri, for the first time. I feared, like several times in the past, that it wasn't going to happen today either! The morning started off relatively chaotic. I won't use the terminology that a fellow cyclist used but I will say that it was a little short of a mess initially. Early obstacles included a short jaunt (NOT) down the Riverwalk to find the bathroom which became a 20 minute round-trip endeavor that resulted in me checking out the host hotel and the dirty waters we would be swimming in; we didn't park where I'd told my Atlanta buddy we were going to park; Google maps got one cyclist lost before we even started and when we finally hit the route, I soon realized that I may not get to see Teri afterall given that we never even made our way onto a few roads that were on the cue sheets. Nevertheless, despite the delays, we headed out onto the course.
As always, it was a quick start. Like horses out of the gate, we were off! Once we realized that we were not on the cue sheet mileage, several of us gave chase for about an hour with the lead pack. Although totally invigorating and quite a confidence booster, it was also a bit draining both physically and mentally cycling without a warm-up. We soon dropped several riders and a few of the guys dropped the bulk of the pack, too. As we began to find our groove, finally!!!, the meeting that seemed as if it would never happen took place in the passing of two cyclists on the highway. Teri and I finally got to meet and how appropriately so on the bike! It was short but seemed to be just the way it was meant to happen. Amazing how a random FB posting about a wetsuit led to this moment.
The route, overall, was a good route. There were some really good, long flats, some quick downhills and as always, a few inclines that left you begging for a chairlift to pick you and your bike up to take you to the top. Taxi!!! The cue sheets offline weren't accurate and this was a bit frustrating at times. Lots of "we missed the turns" and "that was our road". We stopped for directions once and close to the end of the ride, realized we'd overshot our final destination. Needless to say, we found our way back and were able to make a fairly quick transition into a run. Success!
Aside from meeting Teri and her friends, the highlight of the trip was undoubtedly my first official initiation into the hardcore cycling community. In an attempt to avoid the bolt-heads on the railroad tracks, I turned my front wheel slightly to the left. This proved to be quite an error in judgment as I soon found myself on the ground checking out the bolt-heads up close and personal and bringing new meaning to "throwing yourself in front of a train". In that instant, I saw my IM days flash quickly before me. It's amazing what you think of in the span of 10 seconds. Luckily, I wasn't injured (nor Barry who took a similar fall right behind me) and my body (today I was thankful for a meaty booty) broke Buzz's fall as I left no bike parts, only my own DNA, on the pavement. I think that I can honestly say, I got a Georgia peach tattooed on my hiney! As we gathered the group back together, a ringing bell and blaring horns reminded our group of exactly where I'd fallen...on the tracks! Oncoming train! LOL. This made for a much quicker recovery.
We ended the day, including the missed turns, downtown traffic and redlights, and my first crash averaging 17.1 MPH. We did a little over 65 miles in 3:52:12. Not exceptional, but today, I'll take it! :) And at the end of the day, Teri and I actually had a chance to stop and talk, if only for a little while. I have no doubt that we'll meet again on these same roads in near future. IM Augusta 70.3!
The Georgia peach tattoo and I will run 13.1 miles in the morning. I can hardly wait :)
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