Pre-race feelings

I am getting together all my stuff to take with me to Lyon tomorrow for the cyclosportif I am riding on Sunday, La Scott 1000 Bosses. It’s a strange feeling I have, one of excitement and nerves, almost like waiting for an exam in that now I just want to get on the start line and get riding. The difference is I am hoping to enjoy myself out there. I have my routine worked out these days, I have some important information taped to my handlebars such as the climbs, their length plus the location of the ravataillements (feed stations). I have lots of food to eat, I aim to eat a bar every 45-60 minutes or more, I have 1 750ml bottle of energy drink and a spare smaller 500ml bottle just for water. I will stop at the ravataillement if I am running low on water, otherwise I won’t stop. Clothing will be shorts and short sleeve, no arm warmers, though I will wear a T-shirt and a sleeveless shirt underneath my cycle top, which is a bit warm, but should be better for the descents. Ah, the descents, now there is a problem, still no sign of any improvement in my descending ability, I could lose a lot of time there.

Strangely, though I am not so worried this time, I guess because my training has gone so well, and La 77 was such an enjoyable ride. I should be worried though, I haven’t ridden a cyclo with this much climbing (2900m) for 2 years, and last year when I rode Les Copains, I was in such a bad way because of the heat I only rode the 124km event. I’m still on my old bike, and I haven’t even changed to fast tyres. When I mentioned this to Neil, and said I was going to use the 270g tyres, he claimed the difference was “enormous”, there speaks a Weight Weenie!

I reckon I need to ride it in around 4hr 30 to get a gold award, I think that is at the limits of possibilities, if I have a perfect ride I might have a chance but no more than that. I think  4hrs 45 is a more realistic target. Still, I always tell myself that the main thing is to enjoy and a good time would be a bonus, and I really believe that. So if I ride well I’ll be happy.