I had a solid day on the bike. Sunny warm temps and relatively low winds. At my various checkpoints I was on target for a sub 10 performance. I rode really strong over the 3 mountain passes and bombed down the descents. As I entered the last 40 miles into the Snake River Canyon I needed to average just under 21 mph to break 10. With The series of rollers and the fact I couldn't get linked up with a good group made it tough to maintain my pace. I rode solo over most of the final 30 miles, it took a big effort to maintain 20 mph. I hit the finish in 10:11, my second best finish and my 5th straight finish which puts me into the LOTOJA 1000 mile Club.
Of my 5 LOTOJA's this one was by far the most unusual based on the following events:
1. Without a doubt the most moronic USCF cycling officials ever! I raced the Masters 45+ group we went off at 6:34 AM. The Masters 35+ started 3 minutes in front of us. We caught them in the first 5 miles. Now a group of 200+ riders were hammering together at 25 mph. In order to keep the groups separate the USCF official, pulled in front of the peloton on his motorcycle brought the group to a screeching halt. Bikes were going in multiple directions, it is amazing there was not a massive pile up. He instructed one group to ride on the right side of the road and the other group to go down the left side. About 5 miles later he pulled the same stunt, this time telling my group to proceed, while the 35's sat on the road until he allowed them to proceed.
2. A bunch of rednecks dumped tacks on the road between miles 8-11, causing over 100 cyclists to flat. Fortunately I missed the tacks.
3 a goat ran across the road in front of me almost taking me out at mile 15.
4. Within the last 25 miles a cyclist hit a pothole on a bridge and went over his bars and into the Snake River. I found out later he died of his injuries. I was about 10 minutes behind the accident. The road was cluttered with traffic and EMS vehicles. Considering this was the 30th LOTOJA, over the same route, it is a travesty that someone could not fill the potholes. They were massive and in several places. There is no way a large group of riders could avoid all of the holes. I rode thru solo and had to weave my way across the bridge.
5. A few miles past the accident a forest fire broke out earlier in the day on a mountainside next to the road we were on. You could see the massive smoke cloud from 50 miles away. Lots of traffic backup due to the rubber neckers. Several expensive homes were in jeopardy of being burned. Helicopters were flying over head dumping water on the fire.
The first and last 30 miles were the most bizarre things I have ever seen in a bike race. The delays probably cost me 4-5 minutes. Even without the delays, I am not sure I had enough juice in the tank to shave off the extra time to break 10.
