Well, interesting and testing times these. But we have to make the best of it!
So Carlos, forever Mr Competitive, challenged Niallo and Fabian to a 16km criterium race on Zwift. Yeh, that's fair...two thirty somethings vs. The Prez, aka 'old fart.'
But, the race was on. Warm up on turbo-trainers and Wattbikes completed post-breakfast (gels for Carlos, high protein veggie supplements for Niallo, and a cheeky beer for The Prez), and then we all assembled at the start.
An international field. Italians high on dope, and numerous other European entrants coughing away, but far too early for our American friends. Predictably, Carlos tried some dirty tricks to put The Prez off at the start...here's the evidence:
So, how did we fare?
Carlos won. Almost burst a blood vessel or two with an average heart rate of 169bpm, and finished 8th out of a field of 158. Chapeau!! Time 22m 02s (1m 23s behind the winner) with average power a creditable 301W, which equates to 3.5W/kg. The Prez has called for a drugs test.
In second place came Niallo, 2m 43s behind the winner at 23m 22s, averaging 261W or 3.5W/kg. He was complaining a lot about not getting 'power-ups' (not entirely sure what these are, but The Prez has deemed them cheating tools). Niallo finished in 28th place, although is now self-flagellating for losing to Carlos. Apparently it's an Ironman thing...
And, finally, in comes The Prez. 39th out of 158 at 23m 43s, 3m 04s behind the winner. He managed to generate an average 234W (3.0w/kg) and his maximum heart rate reached 179bpm...not a good idea at his age...but there is life in the old dog yet.
Good fun though. And we need more GRAC riders in the next race. Bring it on :-)
So Carlos, forever Mr Competitive, challenged Niallo and Fabian to a 16km criterium race on Zwift. Yeh, that's fair...two thirty somethings vs. The Prez, aka 'old fart.'
But, the race was on. Warm up on turbo-trainers and Wattbikes completed post-breakfast (gels for Carlos, high protein veggie supplements for Niallo, and a cheeky beer for The Prez), and then we all assembled at the start.
An international field. Italians high on dope, and numerous other European entrants coughing away, but far too early for our American friends. Predictably, Carlos tried some dirty tricks to put The Prez off at the start...here's the evidence:
So, how did we fare?
Carlos won. Almost burst a blood vessel or two with an average heart rate of 169bpm, and finished 8th out of a field of 158. Chapeau!! Time 22m 02s (1m 23s behind the winner) with average power a creditable 301W, which equates to 3.5W/kg. The Prez has called for a drugs test.
In second place came Niallo, 2m 43s behind the winner at 23m 22s, averaging 261W or 3.5W/kg. He was complaining a lot about not getting 'power-ups' (not entirely sure what these are, but The Prez has deemed them cheating tools). Niallo finished in 28th place, although is now self-flagellating for losing to Carlos. Apparently it's an Ironman thing...
And, finally, in comes The Prez. 39th out of 158 at 23m 43s, 3m 04s behind the winner. He managed to generate an average 234W (3.0w/kg) and his maximum heart rate reached 179bpm...not a good idea at his age...but there is life in the old dog yet.
Good fun though. And we need more GRAC riders in the next race. Bring it on :-)
