Paris-Tours
It’s the start of a new week, generally I would be looking over what training I have planned, doing some stretching, recovery from the weekend’s racing, etc. This week, however, I find myself unsure of what to do…I’m lost in the complete unknown. This week, I have no training…the season has finally come to an end and although I have been looking forward to some time off, 2011 has been such a long season that I can’t quite remember what I’m supposed to do with myself now. I’m thinking some fine home cooked food, and lot’s of time catching up with friends and family are in order though!
As for how the season finished up, there were certainly some good points and bad. Yesterday was Paris-Tours and for those who don’t know, there is also a U23 version that covers almost all of the same route as the pros, and finishes a little before. I have to say it was an incredible experience and lots of fun to compete in. The only downer has been the amount of built up fatigue I’ve been carrying a good while now, and how an effort or race that would have been no problem earlier in the year, will now give me nightmares it is so horribly painful. It’s as though my book of matches I have to burn went from a big box full, able to do hard efforts time and time again, to a little pocket book of them where I’m completely fried early into a race. I think that’s normal though – this year I’ve raced more than twice as much as I had previously, and saw nearly the same jump in the amount of kilometers I’ve ridden. That’s a lot, maybe even a bit too much to be really prepared for each race, but I think it’s a jump that will really pay off in the years to come since now my body knows what it’s like to go full on for so long. A long rest now will do me wonders, and I’m already super excited to work towards the 2012 season.
Now for a bit on the race – to describe it in one word I would have to say insanity. 200 U23 riders on fairly narrow roads, strong crosswinds the WHOLE day, and lots of village crossings with road furniture, parked cars, crazy amounts of spectators, and even a little chicken who found his way into the middle of the peleton who was running around frantically trying to get out (incredibly, he was still alive when I went by, after that I can’t say for sure).
Personally, I was to be Jimmy’s right hand man for the day, since it was a big goal of his and he had great form coming into the race. If Jimmy needs a bottle, I get him a bottle. If he needs to answer natures call, I need to answer natures call too. If there’s a split that we’re behind, I get to tow him back up to it in the wind. Although this may not seem like an enjoyable job to have, I take a lot of pride in playing that role and helping a teammate as much as I can.
As I said, the race was chaotic right from the start. Tires skidding, brakes squealing, riders yelling, crashes left and right, it was just a demolition derby on bikes. Fortunately, we were able to avoid all the crashes, and although sometimes the group would split in the crosswinds, we would always manage to get back near the front. Finally, about halfway through the race, Jimmy went up the road with a group which basically contained the leaders from each team. While it would have been ideal for me to make that selection as well, it just wasn’t in the legs at this point, and he was on his own.
Soon thereafter, things started going very badly for me. I think it’s been years since I last had leg cramps in a race – ridiculously intense muscle contractions that can stop you dead in your tracks. Yesterday, however, every time I would stand, I could feel my quads, calves, and even my feet seize up. The next couple hours would be some of the most painful that I can remember during a race. My tongue hung from my mouth the entire time, at moments I honestly believed my legs would just stop turning, but the kilometers ticked by towards the end.
Finally, with 30kms to the finish, as we entered the first of 3 short but decisive climbs, the inevitable happened. I tried to stand and power over the top, but everything just shut down on me. I simply couldn’t force any more and had to spin to the finish with a small group in the same boat as myself.
The reward at the finish was crossing the line and breathing a sigh of relief as my season came to an end, and also finding out that Jimmy had ended up in 7th – quite a result for such a prestigious race. The whole team played a big part in it and everyone was quite content with our day. As I said earlier, there is something special about knowing you really helped a teammate achieve their goal, and in another race it will be them helping you do the same.
So, here I am at the start of some time off and it couldn’t have come sooner. I had a great time in 2011 and learned more than I thought possible, but now it’s time to recharge the batteries and get ready for 2012. Finally, I want to thank you all for following along with my races and for your support throughout the year!
