Posted by Les Faber in Saturday was the big day. I awoke way to early – probably because I was nervous about entering my first (ever) cycling competition. My pal Peter had goaded (not really) me into participating in this year’s version of the Cumberland Du. Frankly I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
The weeks leading up to the race were supposed to be filled with a stiff training regimen. Life, work, injuries and a cold didn’t help. So I went into Saturday worried that I wouldn’t be able to make the grade so to speak. Upon my arrival, my greatest fears were confirmed. The Transition area was filled with athletes (male & female) who had obviously spent more time than I preparing for the event. I also saw some very expensive TT bikes – resplendent in all sorts of gear that makes one go faster.
No matter, I was there for Peter & I. The first thing I noticed that allayed my fears was that many of the people who were there seemed as nervous as I was. The other thing I noted was that every single person I spoke with was nice, helpful and genuinely happy to be there.
My Ride - Specialized Tarmac
The Course
My end of the deal consisted of 4 loops of a course just under 10 km. long. You start downhill, long straight-away, turn up big (monstrous, devilish, nasty…..) hill – through residential neighborhood, up another hill, into the wind for 4 or 5 K., and back to the Start/Finish area. Times 4
Loop 1
Not sure where I was going. When do you go fast? When do you conserve energy. It was fun.
Loop 2
Realization that I should watch the pros for some hints on what to do. These guys were awesome. Zoooooom!!!! CYA later! Basically, take advantage of hills (down), wind (behind you), prepare for course ahead….. Easy right? Well, sort of. There is a science (and an art) to this. I got some of it – while botching things up in other areas.
Zoomer
Loop 3
All was well until Mr. Monster Hill (It seemed bigger each time around). I hadn’t gathered enough speed at the bottom and was unable to shift to the smaller chain ring on the front. So, too slow cadence combined with low entry speed. I made it but barely. My legs were screaming. BTW, I saw a few people walking up the hill with their bikes. This is where I had my first (brief) thoughts about not being able to finish. No matter, I persevered and was soon at the Start / Finish line and into my final lap. Mentally I was picturing throngs of spectators screaming my name…. In reality, there were a few people yelling things like “You can do it!” and “Guys older than you have done this.”
Legs Bursting
Loop 4
75% done….. Hey, this is actually a lot of fun! Who cares about winning (As I resolved myself to the fact… of not being greeted by throngs of well-wishers at the end.). Down the big hill, around the bend to Mr. Monster hill. Proper speed, great cadence… To the top in record time….. Through quaint residential neighborhood (Hey, where is everyone? Did they finish already?). Last tough leg – headlong into the wind (which increased with each lap). 2 Kilometers in…. “Hey Les, how goes?”. It was Pat the teacher whom I had met at the start. There was some one behind me after all. A brief chitchat, along with Pat telling me how much he hated the wind… and He was off… Hey, that’s not how this is supposed to end. Bugger! He pulled ahead towards the final turn and the sprint to the end. No worries Les. You have strong legs and are actually a pretty good sprinter (in his own mind – LOL). Pat was about 200 hundred meters ahead of me. I had a chance of last minute fame and fortune. Switch gears to the BIG SPROCKET…and nertz, the chain came off at 35 KMPH! Try and put it back on while gliding….. Yikes, too dangerous. I was forced to stop the bike and slip the chain back on. Precious time lost….As I dismounted I was wondering why I felt nothing below the waste (no smart ass jokes please). My legs were numb. Pop the chain back on and remount. I was actually able to sprint to the finish which was just under 1 KM. away. Arrive, pass through the FOB reader, and run up to where Peter was waiting so he could finish the last leg of our race. Pass off FOB to buddy….. Decision: Fall to ground in pain, or…. stretch? I chose stretching despite the fact that falling to the ground in pain seemed more reasonable.
+ 60 KMPH
Epilogue:
I went into this thinking that I was really not all that competitive. I was wrong. I actually am “somewhat” competitive. This demonstrated by the fact that I have checked the organizer’s website close to 25 times for the results of the race (posted by noon today.). As mentioned previously, everyone I met and chatted with were wonderful. The race was well-organized and supported. I also discovered a great new area to cycle – Cumberland, Ontario. I have decided to do this again. It’s a good test for me, and provides me with another reason to train and cycle.
For my friends and readers who think that I have given up on my other bikes. I’ll have you know that Sunday saw me riding my trusted WorkCycles Secret Service bike in the morning and my Trek (Hybrid) in the afternoon with Helen and our friend Lisa.
I came to Cumberland, Ontario
I saw some nice people
I conquered my fears
This post is somewhat late as I was waiting for the final results and some pics.
Kudos to the organizers of this fine event. I’ll be back for more!
Oh, you ask: “Les, how did you do? We know that you finished. But how did you and Peter do?”
Save the best for last Les —— Peter & I actually won in our age category – by a mere 15 seconds. So despite my faltering at the end I did beat Pat the Teacher!
My Stats:
Total time to complete 38.4 Kms.: 1:27:05
Average Speed: 26.5 Kmph
If you have read this far, I have an admission to make. There were only 2 teams entered in our Age Category!
Congratulations Les!
I am sure this is but the first of many … I think you’ll go faster if you shave those legs …
)
Cheers
Greg
I pondered shaving my legs. But they are odd enough with hair.
The thought of my legs looking like the top of your head is scary!
yep – that is a scary thought!
well done, Les! Funny as always
. If you’d asked me beforehand, I would have concurred…you being a ‘bit’ competitive, but that’s very healthy! Just look at those pictures! (Only thing missing was the foaming at the mouth) 
kudos
Marc — you forgot the Spandex….
I drew inspiration from your famous race: http://amsterdamize.com/2009/04/01/slow-bicycle-race-copenhagenize-vs-amsterdamize/
It is good to be competitive at my age as the field is slightly sparser.
And…. it was too frikkin’ cold to be “foaming at the mouth”.
Miss you buddy — L
My new rules, nr 1: don’t talk about spandex. Rule nr 2: don’t talk about spandex. Rule nr 3: don’t talk about spandex or helmets.
My race, your race, it’s obviously about having fun and feeling alive (made it!).
I think fondly of our rides&talks&beers, too, man!
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a beer somewhere in the Dam this evening… just a (Silly) thought.
Great post. Now that my son is into biking, I really enjoyed reading about your race – Les.
Thanks man — I am anxious to hear about David’s Century on a Fixie. I find it absolutely incredible that he is attempting something of that nature.
congradulation I am proud of you. Tour de France next year?H#1
Merci ma chere Helene. I get my inspiration from everywhere. You 3 speed bike trip across Canada really motivated me.
TDF in 2010? As a spectator maybe…..
Nice job and great write up. I’ve never done any competitive riding but hope to one day after reducing my drag coefficient (loss of tonnage that is).
Hi Brian – This was my first time doing this. I’ll do it again. Cycling is what gets the “tonnage” off.
Cheers!
Les
Hey Les,
Looking good in those pictures… do you have you’re own paparazzi following you everytime you bike? Everytime you go for a ride you seeem to have a picture!
Congradulations!
Ha – It seems that way doesn’t it? Actually, ZoomPhoto.ca was there. They took over 3400 pictures at the event. Hence the number on my helmet – to identify me.
I just went to the website and bought the images I liked online – easy peasy!
Zoomphoto.ca —- They took +3400 photos
I read an article many years ago which said (to paraphrase) “if you’ve done everything else on a bike but not tried racing – give it a go because it’s fun,” and this inspired me to have a go too.
Marvellous, isn’t it.
That it is David — that it is!
Now I need to try a recumbent bike
\o/
Congratulations!! First in your age group! (and yes I read until the end
– but still, first in your age group!
If I remember Saturday correctly – it was a bit chilly! But it sounds like you had a great time. I would have been a wreck.
Aside: There’s a hill in Cumberland? *strikes from list of places to visit
* Thanks for the warning. LOL
Chilly yes —- and as the morning “matured” the headwind increased.
We need to do a deeper dive out that way. For us it is a bit of a hike. But you guys should be fairly close. And the hill is not like the Gatineaus!
I appreciate the positive feedback.
L
Congratulations Les! Sounds like a wonderful adventure. And first in your age group is fantastic… even if there were only two teams. So have you got the competition bug now? Every time I entered a squash competition I vowed “never again!” but it kind of gets under your skin.
Yep – you got it!
Enjoyed your racing adventure Les. you know how we raced home in Friesland the 15 km from the Leeuwarder colleges into the daily run for 4 years into a blistering stiff Northwind. We often formed a peleton of 10 bike racers changing the lead man every 15 minutes ! This way we cycled by calculation 3.45 times around the world !!!
Douwe — I won’t ask you what year this was in….. LOL.
Thanks for dropping by and reading the BLOG.
Hope to see you soon.
Way to go Dad! Congrats on winning your age group…only 2 teams? I thought that there would have been more 30-40 years olds…
Ha! Thanks Jason —– You too can be a “cycling star”.
Great post. Sounds like you did pretty well. Keep it up. Doesn’t matter how small a field it was.
I told one of the guys at a race, that I have been know to do well, when very few people in my category show up. He said “Yeah, We call that women’s racing”.
Thanks David.
I’ll leave you on your own regarding the “women’s racing” comment. I do recall being passed last Saturday by a couple of ladies.
Happy weekend!
Congratulations Les. That’s huge. You didn’t need to admit that there were only two teams. LOL
So have you entered your next even, yet?
Thanks Groover —– I appreciate the support.
Next event is in the works.
I am also participating in a 2 day 360 km. ride: http://www.ottawabicycleclub.ca/rlct
Should be fun…. Just need to stop all this work travel so I can get some training in.
How was California?
Hi Les
These should be published, they are really hilarious! I would send some off to a bike magazine.
I have my moments Karine. Not ready for prime time though.