10.10, time to go and it already took an effort to get to the front where I found Roni. Luckily we got to the first climb fast and here I could relax. The pace was perfect and I even had an interesting experience: to see how racing works for the first women. Some of the men are very nice, but most are just pushing the girls away to get on the best line… for 50th place!? Hmm, not really nice, but all the girls stayed calm, they must be used to this and they just raced on. The first 5 were still together and the atmosphere was good. After the climb, we got to a faster stretch on asphalt and I didn't know what to do, to stay behind or to work a little in front to put them out of the wind. But, do I interfere this way or not, hmm… As I didn't want to get involved in the fight, I decided to speed up just a little and to start my solo ride. But, solo is not really solo when i keep on catching - meeting people and it was good fun to see them handle the track, the mud etc.. Also the speed now was great, fast enough to feel it, slow enough not to hurt myself. But, sure, after 15-20kms, the steep climb that I still remembered from last year came and so I had to push hard to get on it. Result? Pain in my troat, in my lungs and so it was a good reminder of why I was riding and not racing, so I quickly slowed down again to my touring pace. I was now riding with some young boys and it was great to be the observer. Nervous, very nervous and the strangest lines through the mud. This way, when they got stuck or lost too much speed, I could overtake 1 by 1 till… I lost the way. Luckily, not being in the front, there are always other idiots like me making the same mistake in front of me, so when you see a whole bunch of riders coming back, then you know… I didnt lose more than a minute and now came to the best descent of the track. I couldn't go my pace as I was once again in a pack, but I enjoyed the show + when we arrived to the asphalt, they all took wrong directions, leaving the correct line, going straight, open for me. Now I reached the next young guy and I could tell by his style he would give it a fight.
Ok for me, his pace was high enough and even too high in moments and so I stayed behind. In this position I started lap nr 2. I was now very surprised to see some friends ahead of me with Joszi and … . So, again super nice to ride with them, have a chat and enjoy the moment. But, apparently we werenn't fast enough for the younger boy and so he accelerated and as it was within my HF zone, I went with him. Now, we reached the steep climb again and here I had to use real racingspeed. As Jozsi had told me that I was already in 3rd position and that Mike was just some minutes ahead, I tried to stay calm, but I guess I am still a racer and so I couldn't resist and went a little too fast. When I could see Mike, I was only looking at him and I forgot all about the HF, not too smart... So, I decided just to close the gap and then to stay with him, but somehow, slowing down again was impossible...
Stupid me, I ended up riding too fast for the last 20minutes and although it felt ok, I was sure I would feel some effects of this mistake later in the week and yes.… Currently I am sitting home already for some days with a huge infection. For the last 10 days, I have lost smell, taste and I am coughing aliens all day long Smiling face (black and white)… After these days I now even had to start antibiotics, bwaaaak.
So, a great ride in beautiful weather with time to look around, to meet and talk with a lot of friends, without killing myself and still a second place? I guess it was worthet (the infection was already there anyway…)
Up to the next adventure, stay healthy!!
Wouter
