OBRA TTT-NRR Team #2

Seems all the TTT folks are too shy to post.  NRR did indeed have a very solid Sunday at the Team Time Trial with both teams placing 3rd in their categories and also Joe Cipale getting a bronze with some other Team Rose City men. 

The weather was certainly nice but on the hot side for sustained hard efforts.  Our team, NRR 2, was composed of Justin Griffith (a recent member), Colby, Dave Lofstead and myself.  Dave is a regular at the Mari Saturday rides and was on NRR 2 last year with me, Scott Goodrich and Cal Stone.  We only had one practice as a complete team but we worked very well together. 

 I had looked at last years times in Cat 4 and figured that we should be able to get 3rd if all went well.  There were less teams overall, but especially in Cat 3 and Cat 4.  8 teams this year, 15 last year.  I devised a plan to ride at 25mph on the first lap and each take 30 second pulls.  Ramp to 26mph on the second lap with the same pull time.  After that, it was more flexible based on how everyone was doing. 

 Colby was his usual strong self and Justin and Dave did well too.  By the 4th lap, my butt was really uncomfortable and my hamstrings were sore in a way I have never experienced.  Coming out of the corners, getting back up to speed wasn’t much fun:-).  We did all stick together for the finish which was a good sign.  We had passed at least 5 other groups in front of us and no one passed us so it looked good for a strong placing.

 The official times were certainly not right in our category but the relative placings seemed correct based on the groups we’d passed.  I’ll take it either way. 

It’s surprising how much the little things can add up in this event.  The cornering and getting back together are always areas to pick up time if you’re super smooth.  There’s also a bit of pushing your comfort on cornering speed.  Those small differences really add up by the end of the race, both in time and extra energy expenditure. 

 My wife Carol took a bunch of pictures, some good, some not as good.  I emailed the link to most of those interested as well:

 http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/garywatts/TTT2009/

Gary Watts