Berkeley Hills RR

 I was looking forward to this race then I realized it was on Mother’s Day. Not a good way to earn race points with the wife. Oh well I got a nice card and said I’ll be home by 1:00. My race started at 7:35 AM. I arrived early and got a good 30 minute warm up on the trainer. As soon as I rolled out I felt the incredible speed and lightness of the carbon fiber tubulars I got from Jeff. Now I know what the rave is about. The first two laps went well and I had no problem keeping up with this pack of E3s. Third time around I started to feel sluggish and noticed I was slipping to the back. There were 5 guys in a break. Then came the three bears and by the third climb I was off the back. Turning onto San Pablo Dam Rd the pack was gone and there were three others about 10 seconds ahead. I should have been able to bridge that with no problem but I was having a hard time. There was a head wind and my wonderful new tubular no longer felt super light and fast. I wondered if I might have a flat. Next thing I know another guy catches me and wants to work together. He doesn’t pull very strong and we watch the three ahead disappear. Turning on to Alhambra Valley Rd we catch a women’s race and stay behind them until Bear Creek Rd. Then we pass and the final climbing starts and I realize I can’t even keep up with my new friend and another guy we caught up to. Then the women pass me. By this time I wondering what is wrong with me. Is this just a bad year? Perhaps my new training plan is not too good. On the third climb I realize my front tire is nearly flat. I make it to the finish with 20 psi then find someone with a floor pump. With 150 psi suddenly my bike would move. It was a relief to realize I had a slow leak all that time. Perhaps I’m not as bad as I thought. Now on to learning how to fix a tubular.

 I watched a few Youtube videos on tubulars. What a chore these things are. One video demonstrates a three day process to replace the tire. No wonder races have follow vehicles with spare wheels.

Bill