I didn't finish. Nobody finished.
It rained the entire time I was in Iowa. I don't mind the rain, but the roads were like peanut butter. Many of the roads were not rideable, and I walked in ditches for a long time. These two factors combined to keep my average speed well under 10 miles per hour.
Physically, I could have kept going. Mentally, I couldn't justify the suffering. I knew I couldn't get to Algona before the cut-off time. In retrospect, I wish I would have kept going, since distance covered seems to be how the placings are being listed this year. I think I could have kept going until it got dark, but it would have been hard going after that--my average heart rate was high, and my HID lights were in my drop bag in Algona. Something to keep in mind for next time.
That's about it. I will post some pictures later, but I don't think they will be anything you haven't seen before: Lots of long, muddy roads with wet cyclists sprinkled across them.
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4 comments:
Exactly my take. I had the ability to keep going, but when my average speed was well below what was needed to get to Algona, what was the point?
I view it that we all got the same time. The difference between us was that some people are better at math than others and figured it out hours earlier.
Hi Joe,
Total bummer about TI. :-( I can picture the roads, and how frustrating it must have been for you to walk in the muck.
Glad you're home safely in spite of it all.
How 'bout you go to London to get your mind off things? :-)
IT was awsome to meet you Joe. I really enjoyed the little we chated.
Joe,
hope things are working out.
I wouldn't put too much thought to how far you went @ TI as we all Dnf'd...
hope you can make it to Kansas dude...a good ride is waiting for us there I'm sure.
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