Driving home on the highway and listening to the
fabulous Amy McDonalds’ “Don’t tell it’s over…” keeps me recalling the fondest
moments of the ’12 race season. Sentiments
are coming up and let me wish for more. Frankly, though, what should I wish for
more? The sheer abundance of gifts I have experienced makes me humble and
grateful. All that hasn’t been planned, let alone expected.
If the race season meets all expectation, what’s
more, exceeds them, mostly it concludes with some bittersweet sentiments. For
one, I’m just longing for those fond memories and eventfully rich moments. I
wish them back; want to dwell on them as long as doable. That said, if the
spirit and flesh becomes week, there is nothing doing.
I meant to finish it off on high notes with
lasting fond memories. So the task at hand was just squeeze myself to the utmost
for the very last time.
The final round of the Inter Mountain Series in
Istebna [Poland] was the picked race. It is, simultaneously the ultimate round
of the PowerAde Series as well. We have got a massive attendance accordingly,
which was due to an astonishing Indian-summer weather too. I saw my chances to
end up on the podium for the IMS general classification and knowing the stakes
are high, there was no way of hiding, rather going into perils and taking
chances. The game plan was straightforward: pacing myself the first 70% of the
race and then to switch into an all-out mode and see how much is in the tank,
and how far can I last.
The set-back was just; I didn’t keep the race
momentum since the Masters Championship. There were back to back 2 race-free
weekends. Yes, it’s teasing and, admittedly, helps to reframe and recuperate.
However in this part of the season where all tends to finish it off big time,
one is better off to keep this racing frequency and exhaust the body and mind
utterly. The on-and-off pattern doesn’t work for me.
All the same, I still had a good sensation and
was up to the task. Undeniably though, it took me a while to be creative enough
to get myself on a high motivated level. I mean I know the parcours next-to
inside out, and almost the same goes for the majority of my competitors. So my
highest carrot had to be the final GC. And for that I was willing to spend
myself completely, and go way beyond my comfort zone.
This time I dealt better with technical
downhill’s, it’s obvious, however, once I lack a deep sleep and rested mind,
the coordination and motoric suffers big deal. Much to my surprise, the Istebna
parcours it is about to morph itself into a way more benign pattern of track.
Gone are the days everybody associated this race with relentless trail and at
places unride-able paths. Now we have got a welcoming jeep-roads and a larger
amount of pave. It is up to the individual whether this is a good thing or not.
However, evidently it pays off at the end of the day as the PowerAde Series’
success story carries on; what’s more, I have got the notion that the crowd is
growing constantly.
First hour passed, rather uneventful as it’s
pretty evident that the majority is riding conservatively. Partly due to the
creeping fatigue, but also the unknown outcome, so they want to keep their
powder dry for when it matters really.
But it’s also true that only the minority is
riding for general classement so for them it’s mainly about to finish off the
season and not to dig so deep.
My game plane was plotted based on the fact that
I needed to give it all in my power, as that would put me on the podium. But
todays, that’s been predominantly about tactics due to the altered characteristic
of the Istebna course. The pave and jeep-road sections called us to create
echelons and imply ‘roady’ tactics.
Time passing I managed to gather my strength and
leftover-power I found deep in my tank. Every small uphill passage helped to
make the different and sever myself from the group. I had to burn matches, much
to my un-liking, but that’s been the only way to make up ground.
When the approximate 70% was done, I just fired
on all remaining cylinders and dug deep. The final kilometers were looming and
I was let down by the last opportunities the course boasted. We still played poker face while pushing on
pave, and I was in the dark in regard to the closing kilometers. The 6 man
group needed to be exploded. That’s been my very last chance to end up high or
make myself contented with an off-podium placement.
I took my chances, surged on the ultimate uphill.
Didn’t look behind, just went out of the saddle, and let come up the ‘lactic-epidemic’.
The crest however lasted longer than I estimated I could push this hard. And
soon I was square-pedaling and was all over my bike. Once I reached the top where
I hoped for a brief technical downhill, [and breather] I meant to make my
attack stick and keep it to the ultimate finish line bow.
What ensued though was a massive 30 % ramp
littered with rooty obstacles that made my cross-eyed in no time. I knew on the
other hand, those are the very last minutes in the pain locker. The carrot
justified the agony big time, and so knowing that I gave it the very last drop
I found up my sleeve.
I passed another 2 in the process but I was
still unsure of the success as the last descent presented itself from its nasty
facet: crowded spectator cordon, at sides, cheering on and encouraging you to
the ‘devil-line’ and break your neck in doing so. My legs and upper body was so
sour after my previous ascent that I got blurry eyes and could barely hold the handlebar,
let alone negotiate down-hill. I thought it’s not worth the hassle and
dismounted – much to the disappointment of the spectators. But I have been blasé;
all which counted was to conquer the very last 300m meters and take the coveted
cup on the podium.
This is it! Last couple of pedal-hammering and
the enterprise is in the bag.
Gorgeous – just overwhelming. The elusive
feelings this moment released is incredulous.
I have got to stop for the moment and reflect,
flash back for a brief tick of a moment. The Lord keeps loving me J
Now, I just want to dwell on all this sweet episodes
of 2012. Plunge into the long cinema that started end of March and ended up
today on high notes.
Thanks all of you for sharing and reading my
race recaps thus far.
Yours Rob
