tuesday night time trials | week one

Eleven all out, max heart rate, leg burning miles of bike riding bliss.

That perfectly sums up the first Tuesday Night Time Trial (TnT) on May 7 and my first-ever TnT (and definitely not last!).

Nick and I arrived at Twin Cities Spoke event about 90 minutes early, picked up our numbers, met up with our friend Nick, prepped our bikes and hit the road for a warm-up. Coach Joe left a detailed warm-up plan in my Training Peaks log, but once I started riding, I quickly forgot about it and just pedaled, thoroughly enjoying the wide shoulders with minimal traffic, no breeze, magical spring air and chorus of frogs from the surrounding wetlands.

It takes two to pump a disc wheel…

The 10-mile out-and-back warm-up went quickly and before I knew it, we were at the start, lined up in order of our race numbers. Although I didn’t have butterflies, I knew I was nervous because my heart rate wouldn’t go below 100. It never gets super high when I bike and usually falls pretty quickly when I stop pedaling. Not today!

I chatted a bit with the riders around me, including a couple hardcore TTers decked out in skin suits, shoe covers and disc wheels. (Once we started, it didn’t take long for either to fly by me like I was standing still!) MSP is lucky to have such a fantastic + welcoming bike community!

Every 30 seconds a rider was off, hammering around the first bend.

And, then it was my turn. As the race official steadied my bike by the seat, I clipped in both feet, unsure if he would push me slightly or if he’d let go and I’d start pedaling immediately.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1…

He pushed me (whew!), and I was off.

And, with that first pedal stroke, my nerves disappeared.

A few thoughts on the TT:

• So many hills rollers! County Road 24 in Medina is far from flat, but like I’ve said before, life happens on the hills.
• Holy high heart rate (max = 168 bpm). It averaged 155 bpm, which is way higher than my normal average.
• I’m getting more comfortable with being uncomfortable. I like it.
• New saddle needed. Around mile nine I was having trouble staying comfortable and kept adjusting.
• Serious fun. It doesn’t get much better than biking fast.
• Argon = awesome. Every time I ride it, it gets better.
• My SOAS team kit is crazy comfortable.

So, my time… 30:58.14 (21.3 mph average // 6th in open class // 1st in my AG). I had no idea what to expect, but I’m happy with it! Sub 30 is in my sight!

Thanks, Twin Cities Spoke, for a great night of racing!

And, a few pics of my favorite guy looking fast + fit and rocking his Beaker Concepts kit 🙂

Last six photos courtesy of Twin Cities Spoke (and, instagrammed by me).