Monday, May 2, 2011

Joe Conquers Carolina

STC's own Joe Younkin traveled down to NC last weekend for some hot racing action. He represented in the Cat 3/4 field of the Tour de Moore RR, and Brick City Crit. His race report is below, Enjoy!


An Awesome Weekend of Racing in NC.

The weather was superb on Saturday, clear skies and in the 70's, for the running of the Tour de Moore in Southern Pines, NC.  The CAT 3/4 race was packed for what turned out to be a nearly 66 mile rolling jaunt through a horse's paradise; horse stable ranches dominated the landscape.

The race started out fast and furious with a number of teams represented at the front, including yours truly, during the vicious rolling pace line reaching speeds of 30+ mph for nearly the first 20 miles.  Things started to settle a bit when a 2-man break was let go and a dedicated teammate held the pace at the front, on and off, for nearly 30 miles.  At last the break was caught and the pack got restless with quick bursts happening all the time to shake those whose legs were wobbly.  I was one of those unfortunate souls.

Around mile 50, I gave in to the demands of my body.  Bubbling and gurgling inside, and without being able to release, I gasped my last painful breath as part of the main group.  It seems that doubling the dose of Gatorade in a water bottle does not give you double the pleasure or recovery, only pain.  I cruised in the final 15 miles, picking up a fellow straggler along the way in.

On Sunday, the weather was perfect again for a day of racing with Scion mixed beats bumping throughout the day, Younkin style!  After an easy warm-up exploring the town of Sanford, NC, it was time to race.  The 3/4 race was as fast as I ever seen, going 50 minutes at an average speed of just under 27 mph! (and that's with an uphill start/finish line)  I had a pack finish; my legs being spent from the hard 65 mile road race yesterday in Southern Pines, NC.

Definitely going to be on the race calendar next year.

Joe

No comments:

Post a Comment