"Guerilla" OA TT - Aug 17th

[Ian]

As if I hadn't suffered enough over the past couple days, I decided that I would head out and ride Dave Shishkoff's Metchosin TT course.

First observation: wind sucks. Or, more correctly, I suck in wind. Every time a gust came up it was like hitting a wall. Having aero bars will help this, but in terms of group rides and non-TT races, I think I just need to spend more time up front to build up some more power. Or just HTFU and embrace the lactic acid...

Second observation: when something doesn't look like a hill, that doesn't necessarily mean it's not a hill. Pretty much the entire course is a slow, steady uphill aside from the last 1.5km or so. It makes the last 1.5km feel like you're going REALLY fast though!

Third observation: knowing how to shift is WAY different from knowing when to shift and what gear to shift into. I need to practice my gear choices a little more.

Overall, a pretty fun experience. Two guys did the full 3-lap 40km route, while Dave and I did the one lap. Good times all around. Would be more fun with more people out there though!!

Stats: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/45021938

[sylvan]

Good action. A few years ago there was a semi-regular VCL course out there, Klahanie, Dicker, Happy Valley, Latoria. Same length and concept as the two existing courses: Two-phase climb on Klahanie, not too tough, finish line was on the second part of the climb, then a fast downhill bit followed by a flat grind on Happy Valley and Latoria. Decent course, not sure what it would be like there now with the construction that's happened. I think back in the old days there was a road race course similar to the current OA TT course, but went over Pears and Glen Forest between Metchosin and Happy Valley, around the other side of the Golf Course. That's always the route I take out there - adds a bit of decent climbing, nice rural road, almost no traffic.