Posted: Wed 18/Jul/07 7:46am Post subject: Dallas Matrix Challenge 2007
Sweltering temperatures make for tough riding
I turned up in Dallas for the oldest criterium race in the State of Texas and since the race was held at 2pm for the pro 1,2 field, it was the hottest part of the day and during the race a high of 100 degrees was recorded (38 degrees Celsius) and this proved to be too much for a lot of riders, including myself. There were 46 starters and only 22 finished the brutal race. The course was almost like a figure eight with one 180 degree turn, a wide sweeping corner and four additional sharp narrow corners. Given the nature of the course it was always going to be better to be at the front of the peloton or in a break, otherwise riders will find it energy sapping to ride at the back. I thought the race was going to be 70 minutes but I was shocked to find out that in fact it was 90 minutes and I was riding to get through the 70 minutes and I dropped out at the 75 minute mark. By this point almost half the field had already been shelled out. I finished 25th. The race started at a ballistic pace with one rider jumping up the road to ride solo for the first 30 minutes before it was all back together. Initially I was feeling pretty strong and stayed near the front and whenever there was a lull in the pace, I would use the momentum to get me higher up. This was working well for me but after 50 minutes I started to feel the heat and was running low on fluids. I had two full bottles of Leppin Enduro booster and that was not enough. A number of riders had designated people to splash them with cold water in the ‘splash zone’ to help keep them cooler. I would get a few drops here and there from the spray but it was not enough to cool me down. My face was bright scarlet red and I felt like I was being cooked! For the last 15 minutes I was in the race, I was at the very back of the peloton, where I should not be as the ‘rubber band’ effect was much more profound here and I eventually ended up with dead legs.
When I pulled up to a stop, I was shaking with the exertion that I had to use my bike for stability. I quickly made for the shade under the tree and proceeded to drink two cans of ice cold cokes (felt like heaven!) and also drank five 750ml bottles and lay there for a good 20 minutes before I started to feel better. My heart took along time to actually start beating normally. I think I came very close to getting heat stroke and the amount of fluids I consumed after the race probably prevented it. Another factor that did not help me during the race was my new custom made Shimano shoes. These were US$330 shoes that were supposed to fit perfectly to your feet, and I have been using them for 3 weeks now… and they have been giving me more feet problems than my old Pearl Izumi shoes. In fact, during the race my whole right foot became numb and my left foot was in extreme pain right in the ball area. I was glad to get out them right after the criterium. So, I will need to talk to the bike shop again about these shoes. This criterium was my first taste of what Texas hot weather can be like, certainly hotter than any other race I have ever done.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You cannot download files in this forum
All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. The comments are property of their posters, all the rest ℗ 2000-2008 by Tama Easton.
Extra design ℗ by Scotty Lane and Nathan Whitley. Photos and written work on this site are property of their owners, do not use them for commercial purposes.
Developed for Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 and Mozilla Firefox 3.0
