2823rd
Merten, Monday, September 8. 2008
...in a time of 1:47:58h, that's what I ended up with in this weekend's "Hamburg Cyclassics" cycling event. Which is about in the middle of the results, 4900 men finished in the same distance. End average was 31.67 km per hour, which is what I can also skate over a marathon, but I have to admit it was a lot easier on the bike.
Mareike and I had both signed up for the shortest (55km) distance, since we did not really know what to expect and I only fielded my "normal" street crossbike, no racing material. From the start I was really amazed of the surge that such big groups of cyclists can generate. Shouldn't be really, since I know the benefits of drafting from skating, but still cruising along at 30 km/h with little effort is a great feeling and comparable to what I get from speedskating in pacelines. But this is even easier, the skating pacelines tend to shift speeds much more.
I stayed with Mareike for the full distance and allowed her to draft, also waited a little in the uphill section around km 35. A faster time would definitely have been possible, but it was really enjoyable to just cruise. Since we started a good bit back in block F, we overtook a lot of people, but also were overtaken frequently. Sometimes in very rough manner that indicates that certain people take this event maybe a little too serious. One more reason to stay in the comfort zone
Guess the "lead packs" of such a big race will be no fun.
For me, it is certain that I'll not convert to cycling now. I mean - I've always enjoyed cycling and will continue to use it as cross training, but "my" sport remains speedskating. Which allows me to enter the Cyclassics again next year, maybe the 100k this time, and just cycle it - for fun.
Mareike and I had both signed up for the shortest (55km) distance, since we did not really know what to expect and I only fielded my "normal" street crossbike, no racing material. From the start I was really amazed of the surge that such big groups of cyclists can generate. Shouldn't be really, since I know the benefits of drafting from skating, but still cruising along at 30 km/h with little effort is a great feeling and comparable to what I get from speedskating in pacelines. But this is even easier, the skating pacelines tend to shift speeds much more.
Just after the start of the race, rolling up to the line.
I'm wearing the white jersey in the middle of the picture.
I'm wearing the white jersey in the middle of the picture.
I stayed with Mareike for the full distance and allowed her to draft, also waited a little in the uphill section around km 35. A faster time would definitely have been possible, but it was really enjoyable to just cruise. Since we started a good bit back in block F, we overtook a lot of people, but also were overtaken frequently. Sometimes in very rough manner that indicates that certain people take this event maybe a little too serious. One more reason to stay in the comfort zone
Guess the "lead packs" of such a big race will be no fun.For me, it is certain that I'll not convert to cycling now. I mean - I've always enjoyed cycling and will continue to use it as cross training, but "my" sport remains speedskating. Which allows me to enter the Cyclassics again next year, maybe the 100k this time, and just cycle it - for fun.
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