Yesterday I got in some sweaty kilometres, but today very much felt like the true kick start to the week.
On the bike early, I got in a decent – if slow – warm up. This was due to work commitments, and right up until the last two minutes I wasn’t sure if this was going to be feasible to race or not. My back up plan was to do an SST session, but fortunately with barely any time to spare, my conference call ended and I was free to punch it.
Today’s race was on a new route to me: Richmond Roller Coaster.
I had taken a look at the route last night, though I looked at some previous results via Zwift Power because I know that you can see a full preview of the route that way.
Wrongly, I interpreted this as the race starting on the descent into Richmond’s second half of the map – the climbs.
What actually happens is that this route does hit the climbs immediately, but the route is the reverse of the standard UCI Worlds route that fans of Richmond will know and love.
In game, Zwift showed 79 riders on the B Category race. Zwift Power shows just 49 after the fact. Not quite sure why that is.
However, with a typically big lunch time bunch, the start was frantic and I tried my best to keep up with the front runners into the bottom of the first climb.
There’s usually no way I can keep up with the strongest of the B Category riders when it comes to climbs. And today was very much no different.
I’d maxed myself with several out of the saddle efforts to make it up the first two climbs, but even before I reached the Libby Hill KOM banner my hopes of staying with the front group were well and truly over.
Looking up I saw I was sitting around 33rd, so – as usual – it became a case of holding on to whatever spot I could, for as long as I could.
My second failure today came on the descent from Libby Hill KOM.
Absolutely bushed, and knowing a third longer (if more gradual) climb still remained, I couldn’t find it within me to catch the small bunch that were already putting seconds into me on that descent.
The best I could do from this point on was to try and glue myself to the wheel in front and hold on for dear life.
Power ups for this route seemed restricted to just two:
- Draft Boost (van icon)
- Aero Boost (helmet icon)
Where’s the feather when you need it?
A couple of other riders and myself went into the third and final climb as a small bunch, but of the three of us who started it, a different three came out of the top.
One guy just motored away, leaving us in the dust. But he was replaced by another guy who must have done the same to the group behind.
After the climbs we had 9km of flats to see us through to the line.
For sure I was the weakest of the three and even with power ups and working with the dregs of whatever I had left in the tank, I still found myself seeing the “close the gap” warning many, many times.
One other thing I experienced during the last few kilometres was either lag or connection drops. I’m not sure which. Thankfully it was nowhere near as bad as yesterday but still, disconcerting to constantly have riders appearing and disappearing around me when I was trying my best to draft.
The way this one ended was a bit of cat and mouse with the group behind us.
Over the final couple of kilometres, as is so typical, there was a sizeable group behind that was chewing down the seconds. We had a ~7 second gap 2km out, and it seemed like every time they took a second off us, we managed to eek it back.
Now, part of me was thinking – I’m at the edge of my ability trying to stick with these two guys. If I ease off, take the few seconds breather, and then get on with the pack behind, I might end up working less hard and still be able to catch these two back up.
But I couldn’t give it up. Not after I’d worked so hard.
When it got down to the last 1.5km though, the strongest of the three of us dropped us for good. If he had stuck around, maybe, just maybe, we might have hit the line with a second to spare.
But no.
With the finish line in sight the gap was down to 1 second.
I made it to ~100m to go before they caught me… and several of them went passed.
Can’t say I was surprised, but definitely disappointed that I’d not been able to hold on.
What I would say is that my stats after this ride were crazy.
Whilst I hadn’t managed a new 20 minute PB, I had set PB’s for pretty much everything else in the 5-28 minute ranges. It felt like it too, as when I crossed the line I was absolutely floored. There was nothing left to give. No sprint finish. Even ticking the pedals over for recovery was beyond me for about 20 seconds or so.
I think what I struggle with is what I’ve talked about before. I’m at my limit just keeping up. There is nothing left in reserve for me in these races, no power reserves to tap into when it comes to climbs or sprints. I’m literally flat out just maintaining pace.
I can’t see how I can improve on this really. Partly I think it comes down to heart rate. Every time I finish an event like this, my heart rate is waaaay higher than anyone around me. So if I’m at ~190bpm just keeping up, when it comes to needing more… where can I go?
Anyway, let’s not kid ourselves. The aim here is not to win. If I set my sights on winning I’d be in for a life of disappointment. I don’t think I will ever win a Category B race. I’m simply not good enough, and getting older, I never will be.
But that doesn’t stop me from turning up, taking part, getting an amazing workout, and having a properly good time. Racing is the highlight of my week when it comes to Zwifting. It brings absolutely everything together into the ultimate test.
Bring on Stage 3.
