http://static.flickr.com/82/212148856_5aabe3692...

well, I rode out to tonights TT with the intentions of riding it, but not pushing it, I'm trying to have a really light week of purely recovery riding and rest days in anticipation of this weekend's big race. Also there is the 24hour race next weekend to think about.

I cruised out, keeping the HR low, even though i could see another cyclist less than a KM up the road.

got to the course, had time for a granola bar and some water, then found out the starting order. Thankfully i wasn't first like last time, i started 12/16.

I knew i had pace on the guy who started b4 me, we use 1 minute intervals. I figured for sure I would manage to take away 45 of those seconds, and have him as a great carrot for the home stretch.

He is another Rob, and a good buddy, so i was up for the challenge for sure! By the halfway turn around point, i was maybe 15seconds off his wheel, i had a bit of a crappy turn, but managed to save it and get back on the power quickly. There's a small climb shortly after the turn-around, and i used it to my full advantage to gain time on Rob, and within 1.5kms I had passed him. He gave me a hearty "go get em" unfortunately, i was barely able to breath, so i couldn't return the enthusiastic encouragement.

I kept pushing hard, really starting to feel some cramping in my chest and back, but it wasn't too bad.

I was able to see the next guy on the road, who actually started 3 mins in front of me, i guess the guy inbetween leap frogged him. I didn't catch him, but got to within 17seconds of him at the line, i was able to finish strong, well over 45km/h.

Thought i was going to puke and die, but managed to hold it together. Eventually I was able to calm down and go listen for the times.

I finished in 23:02, 3 seconds shy of my goal of 22:59. Pretty damn fine, i've gotten faster on every TT I've done this season. I beleive i was 3rd on the night, only beaten by Viney (of course) and Watson. I only missed Watson by 6 seconds, and he's a national top 3 mountain biker!

check out my HR graph if you're at all interested, it's at the top of this post.

I rode back into town with Murray, Don and Darren, good speed, but recovery HR the whole way until the end, when we had to turn it up and sprint for the town-line. Just like on Tuesday night, i edged Don out for the "win"