Bear Lake, resting on the border of Utah and Idaho is encompassed both in the beauty and majesty of the Creator and also of history for the region and is home to a 10 year old cycling classic weekend. Comprised of 3 different events, each independent of each other, a 3.8 mile hill climb, a road race around Bear Lake itself and a conclusion of a team time trial around the lake the next day.
After a 9 hour drive from south central Montana, through eastern Idaho, and just crossing into Utah, legs were stiff to say the least, yet ready to erupt for the Bear Lake Classic hill climb. The final 20 miles of the drive in held attention differently than the usual focus that accompanies the approach of any start line. This section of road not only marks a part of the course to circumnavigate Bear Lake tomorrow, but is also a portion of the LATOJA Classic, a 206 mile event from Logan, UT to Jackson, WY in one day, in which I will be competing in come September 7th. With that in mind, anticipation is at an all time high, taking in every bend, turn, rise and dip, that will mark the opening miles of the race to come in 18 short hours.
The constant companion on the trip down has been weather in some sort or another, either wind, rain, mist; clear sky's did not seem to get the invitation for this days events. In the same fashion, while not yet raining, the air at the base of the battlement that is calling for conquering is wet, humid and cool. Arguable not ideal conditions but, "Lord, today is in Your hands and You have a plan, so thank You for the weather being just as it is."
First things first is to unload and prepare the bike for battle. The BMC SLC01 Pro Machine is first wiped down and cleared of road and travel baggage and the CycleOps 65mm tubular rims and PowerTap rear hub are installed and inflated to a tight 145 PSI to minimize rolling resistance. As every advantage to claim the summit with the lowest time will be tapped. A quick adjustment of the drive train to ensure that the Sram Red gruppo is shifting quickly and accurately and the breaks allow clearance of the wheels with minimal clearance. Then it occurs to me, this is a race up hill, what on earth am I worrying about my breaks, I will not be using them until I am almost back at the car. The humor of it lightens to moments just as a single ray of sun peeking through the cloudy days gives a hope to come!!
A solid warm up on the CycleOps Fluid 2 trainer, of 15 minutes beginning with a gentle spin at high cadence progressing to full on battle pace and then returning back near but not to the gentle spin that started it. With the muscles warm and all cylinders are firing, it is off the trainer and onto the road to refine the timing and sequence of the motor that will propel rider and bike up the hill, toward the point where the victor will be determined. An additional 10 minutes of road warm up and keeping the everything moving to prevent the chill of the air from penetrating the thin lycra skin suit, and it is time for the battle to begin. "Lord, thank You again for this day the opportunity to race in this beautiful place. To You be the glory. Amen."
As the course officials final finger falls, indicating that my attack has begun, a quick step upon the pedal as the off foot finds its target and the comforting click of the cleat engaging gives confidence as the assault begins and acceleration finds its path from legs to feet to pedal and chain ring, through the chain and cassette, into the rear hub down the spokes engaging the rims and glue holding the tubulars and down onto the road. "Breath, breath, ride smart, don't blow up, target for 12 minutes, hold power..." Everything I have read and learned, mostly at www.flammerouge.je, comes rushing through the window of conscientious, reminding me of all the small details the separate the top of the podium to a step down.
The first miles comes and goes as quick as expected yet deceitfully so. The tax expended has not yet come to the point of cost but as the climb continues the grade of the road becomes more and more exacting. While never overwhelming, the ever presence of a foe straining to hold me back, slow my bike down, make me want to give in and slow up is breathing defeat at me. "Jesus, I need Your strength and not my own, mentally and physically, thank You either way today goes, You are already victorious!!!"
With the grade steepening and miles, and feet are passed behind, each claimed with sweat and focus on the end, the toll of the climb has begun to be felt in full force. Yet, thinking back to my time training in the offseason, only 2 more minutes, I can hold a heart rate of better than 170 for 2 minutes. "hold in there, do not let up, shut up legs you don't have eyes, I can see the finish!!" With that revelation a surge of strength fills the muscles, a short down hill and as much of a sprint that can be mustered on the short return up hill and the race is complete, the battlement has been scaled and conquered and subdued. The results will have to wait for the bottom, but the CycleOps Joule GPS reads 14:49 and knowing that the grade topped 7% I feel pretty good. "Thank You Jesus, to You be the Glory!!"
A quick ride to the bottom, spinning my legs to flush the lactic acid build up and the race officials come with the results. 6th out of 28, not bad, not as good as I would have wanted, being 2 minutes behind the fastest. "Lord to You be the Glory, I will be working on hills come next week!! Amen"
Tomorrow is the road race...
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