Tonight I opted – perhaps rashly – for ~100m of climbing in as quick a time as possible.
Unsure whether the L’Etape Du Tour mission would end at midnight tonight, or tomorrow, I decided I didn’t want to risk it with so little left to do.
I had about 80m of climb left, and opted for the Hilly Route – 100m or so per circuit – to box the job off.
Having had a beer earlier in the day, and also having only really just finished my tea, this was never going to be a performance of athletic magnitude.
Pro tip: if you’re jersey hunting, hit reverse circuits at off-peak times for maximum chances of hitting the top spot.
I was amazed I made second place on the sprint. To be honest, had I not hesitated at one point, I think I would have outright won this one. My mistake was looking up, and in doing so, marginally eased off. Silly me.
Being completely honest, I went for it big time on this one. This may have led to me feeling like I wanted to be sick immediately after.
I was gutted not to get the top spot having seen my time. I don’t expect it. But being 4 hundredths of a second off the top spot was annoying.
Still, shortly after, M. Stemmer must have logged off and I was awarded the jersey. Not a true win.
After the first bend of the reverse KOM, I managed to beat the L’Etape Du Tour mission target. This means over the last … I don’t know – 3 weeks maybe, I have climbed 4.5km.
I’m not sure I truly believe this. Large chunks were done in ERG mode. Not a true representation.
In many other sports it’s easy to compare yourself to a pro. I can kick a ball. Move aside Rooney. At least that’s what it feels like. It’s hard to compare myself to the gap in talent between myself and a professional footballer. I mean, I know there must be a huge gap, but it’s hard to imagine how big.
Not so with cycling.
To think that these super humans ride ~250km per day, sometimes climbing 4 or 5 thousands metres per day… for 21 days (with a few rests, but still)… I mean, it took me like 3 weeks and I feel like I needed to cheat (use ERG mode) to get there.
Fair play to them.
With that out of the way, I have to say I felt buoyed on to make it to the top of the KOM in the number one spot.
Could it be done?
Having so narrowly missed out on the sprint jersey (but then miraculously wearing it on the climb anyway), was it possible I could keep on my target and get in under the #1 time of 5:09?
No. Could I pump.
I gave it my best shot honestly. I think I’d used most of my reserves on the sprint attempt. Maybe. Maybe if I had held back on the sprint for the KOM attack I could have done it?
Definitely Maybe.
Crazy to see this ride was a 605w over 5 seconds during the sprint, but my best was 50w higher. That sprint today felt fast.
Maybe I need to start replacing my blood with Super Unleaded.
11.2km, 100m of climb, feeling sick after the ride. What a great way to spend a Saturday evening.
In theory I’m hitting the century attempt tomorrow morning at 9:15.
Not sure how I feel about that at the moment. Not sure of the logistics of it. Is it realistic in the time I have available? I have no idea.
