Lets Race!

My first ever bike race went well. I learned more than I expected, finished faster than I'd hoped , and generally had an awesome time.

Highlights:

1) Passing people on uphills is the best feeling in the world. Particularly when their bike cost more than my bike AND my car combined.

2) Beautiful weather! Cold and sunny is my favorite!

3) Great atmosphere! Everybody seemed like they were having fun.

Lessons learned:

1) I'm a salty salty sweater. I cramped up twice, almost perfectly 1 hour after I had taken my most recent electrolyte supplement. Water + another shot of electrolytes= no more cramps. So, next time I just need to stay ahead of that curve

2) Race smart. I had a really nasty crash early on because I was racing too aggressively on some less than ideal terrain. I was fortunate that my right hip absorbed most of the impact and I didn't get run over. No major muscular or structural damage to report but the bruise is a sight to behold! The lesson is to race smart, you can't finish first if you don't finish

3) Gear taller (for this race) The added adrenaline really helped me crush the climbs, but a 32:17 ratio was a little low for the flats and downhills. . A 32:18 may be in order next time.

4) Use Aid stations. My hydration pack froze (guess it breathes "too well" on the back panel) so I wound up carrying 25 oz of water that never got used. I was able to use the aid station, but I should have just planned on it being there and used it accordingly.