Cherry Valley TT & Whitewater Lake

Today was...wait for it...wait for it...warm. Finally. Low 70s, sunny, 5 mph winds...a perfect spring day.

I got up early and headed down to Cherry Valley, IL (Rockford) for the Cherry Valley Time Trial. It was a 30K (18.8 miles) out and back course with a few small, rolling hills. I think the week's worth of working out finally caught up with me. I didn't do bad, but I definitely didn't feel strong out there. It was tough.

From the TTs I did over the winter, I figured I could average about 280 watts. I started a little too strong and averaged about 300 for the first few miles, but then my pace and watts continued to decline and I finished with an average of 260 watts (23.3 mph). I'm not sure what my official finishing time was, but it's around 48 minutes and 15 seconds. I didn't hang around after the race to see the final times.

The race was fun, and I'm glad I went, but I definitely need more time on my Cannondale. It's a much different position and my hamstrings got pretty tired out there. And, as always, the saddle was a torture devise. I don't think Fizik saddles work for me. Here are a few pictures from the TT...

My bike set up on the trainer so I could warm up before the race...




Check out this bike. Those recumbent guys are goofy.




A few riders warming up...(don't they know you're supposed to bring your trainer - like the pros do - and park it behind your Sunfire - like the pros do?)





The starting line...





Here's a picture of my new helmet. It arrived just in time for the time trial. I'm not sure if it made me any faster today, but I'm pretty sure it didn't make me any slower. Fatigue and Lactic Acid can be blamed for that.
When I got home, Cheri and I went for a walk on the bike path and then we hopped on our bikes and rode out to Whitewater Lake, one of my favorite cycling destinations (about a 40 mile ride). The ride was fun, but we were ready for it to end when we got home. My legs were really tired from the TT, and Cheri's were really tired from her 10.5 mile run Saturday (her longest ever). Here are some pictures from the ride.

Whitewater Lake...




I love this road....




Me...



Cheri...



My vacation is over now, and that's a good thing. I'm tired. I need to go back to work so I can get some rest. I worked out for 22 hours this week. 270 miles on my bike with 1 time trial. 30 miles running with 1 mid-week half marathon, 2 hours in the pool - because I've been slacking on my swimming a little lately (gotta get back on track).