While it was not actually that hot, it felt hot, and it was quite humid. So humid that sweat was not evaporating, limiting cooling.
When the Wheelsucker returned to the P&R to roll out with the group, he found a medium sized bunch including Eric Boone, Tom Aga, Rick Paukstitus, Pat Hogan, Jeff Chun, a muscular rider in black and red, Joe from Bike Doctor, Brian Synowitz, Steve Owens, a rider on a nice Time bike wearing Snow Valley kit, and more. As the group pedaled out of the P&R, Denzil rolled up and then Sean Easley met them part way to 214.
After a short pull on Patuxent River Road the Wheelsucker rotated to the back and planned to sit in and take it easy at least to Harwood Hill. The Wheelsucker was not feeling strong or fresh, and was occasionally having to go hard just to stay on; this was not looking good!
It was a steady pace up Harwood Hill, there was minor attack from two riders off the top but the Wheelsucker was able to hold a wheel in the chase and the leading two were brought back quickly. While the Wheelsucker has had some success attacking on the stairstep, he decided to sit on for the stairstep climb this time. He moved up as the group neared the bottom and stayed to the left so he could pass riders, moved up some more on the first steep section, followed wheels, and moved to the front near the top, leading around the right turn onto Bayard without having to dig deep. So far so good for the Wheelsucker; it felt like a hard ride, and he was focused on holding on to the lead group. And attrition was going on and the group was shrinking, but he was still there.
There was some hard riding on Bayard and the Golf Course false flat on Polling House road. The Wheelsucker was gapped on the short wall at the end of the false flat, but dug deep and chased back on to the back. And then there were only seven left: Eric, Denzil, Pat, Sean, Brian, Jeff and the Wheelsucker.
The Wheelsucker was careful to be rested for the second time up the stairstep, and held on.
And then it was down Bayard. Eric went near the top of the last bump on Bayard. The Wheelsucker was riding second wheel behind Brian, and went very hard to follow Eric, and convinced Eric to ease up by telling him "I am on your wheel!" Then it was on to Sands. The Wheelsucker was taking short pulls and getting off the front, trying to keep enough reserve to hold on for the short bumps and surges. The second bump near the end of Sands is a favorite attack point for Ace and Pat. The Wheelsucker was second or third wheel and kept checking over his shoulder for an attack, but no attack came.
He was on the back and following wheels for the sprint at the top of Sands.
He was gapped again at the top of the climb out of the dip. Two riders went clear, but the Wheelsucker dug deep again and got to the back of chase and hung on. The light at the 214 intersection changed to red just as Sean was getting ready to try to sprint across ahead of the others.
Whew.
A careful Wheelsucker set up at the back of the group after the light turned green. Riders were tiring. Jeff announced he was not sprinting.
Someone was taking a long pull as the group approached the ball park. Eric pulled around to take the lead. The Wheelsucker was marking anyone strong who moved, and so found himself second wheel behind Eric.
The Wheelsucker went down the penultimate dip second wheel, then jumped as hard as a tired, sweaty, aging Wheelsucker can jump as they started the climb out of the penultimate dip.
And after burning matchsticks several books at a time, he got to the top onto the last flat section before the sprint, with a gap of about 12 inches.
But Eric and Jeff sat up.
Completely blown, the Wheelsucker sat up. Brian and Sean continued and went for it. The Wheelsucker looked over at Pat and Denzil and drifted over to grab a wheel.
Brian and Sean were going up the road. Pat was leading the chase with Denzil second wheel, and the Wheelsucker sucking air, riding third.
The gap was still there; Brian and Sean were going for the long sprint.
It was down the last dip and up the other side. Pat accelerated, Denzil followed, the Wheelsucker gritted his teeth and hung on.
Pat pulled them a long way, past a dying Brian and Sean. Brian and Sean sat up, Pat finally pulled off. Denzil has been holding back and as Pat pulled off the Wheelsucker heard the click of a gear change and Denzil launched. The Wheelsucker was ready and had been waiting for this. He responded instantly with his maximum remaining power, but it was not enough and Denzil rode him off his wheel.
By this time everyone else was coasting. Even the Wheelsucker started to coast after passing Pat, and coasted across the line second; second out of the two riders sprinting.
Wheelsucker Data: (from about the finish line, back to the finish line)
1:15:39
Distance: 30.71 miles
Average power: 214 watts, max 949 watts
Elevation gain: 966 feet
Heart Rate: 145 bpm average, 168 max
Cadence: 93 rpm
Average Speed: 24.46 mph
Temperature: 85 F
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