This was my third Deschutes River Valley Time Trial Festival (DVRTT). The first was in 2010 just after I was release from my doctor after breaking my right fibula and tibia. I was not in shape but wanted to force myself into getting into shape. The following year I was in better shape and did better. This year I am happy to report that my improvement continues.
The Festival consists of three stages, or races. The first two take place on Saturday with the third, and longest, on Sunday. The first stage is 26 miles long with over 1,200 feet of climbing. The second stage is only eight miles long but it is all climbing with an elevation gain of 1,700 feet. Sunday’s stage is very hard at 46 miles and over 3,200 feet of elevation gain.
I decided to race in the Masters Men 50-59 division. I could have chosen the Cat4/5 division, but I have always raced in Master Mens even thought it is a harder division. I could race with the older, seasoned bicycle racers or the younger rookies. Racing against folks my own age seems the appropriate thing to do, even if it means racing in a harder division. So, my goal was not to come in last in my division (like I did last year).
The first stage starts with a 800 foot climb from the Deschutes River to the top of the plateau overlooking Maupin. Once on the plateau, you cross over to and desenced into Tygh Valley. Fron Tygh Valley, the route turns toward the east and crosses over several large rollers before descending down to the Deschutes River. You cross the river and follow it back to Maupin, a nice flat nine miles.
My plan was to keep my heart rate to 145 bpm or below on the climb out of Maupin. I failed. My heart rate rose to over 150 bpm and beyond. But I felt good. I felt like I could ride harder. I knew that I would be passed on this section as I am not a climber. And I was. But I did catch some of the slower riders who started in front of me, so I was feeling good. Once I reached the top of the climb and the road flatten out, I could hold my own and I increase my effort to maximum. One of those who passed me on the climb was Mark Newsome. I could see him in the distance so I was trying to keep pace with him.
On the descent into Tygh Valley, I tucked and tried to go as fast as I could. With my mass, I slowly gained on the last rider to pass me when climbing out of Maupin. I did so at the bottom of the hill and I started working very hard crossing the flat of Tygh Valley. While I expected him to catch me, I held him off until the first roller where he catch me. I stayed close to him and passed him on the down hill side of the roller. At the next roller, he catch me again and I turned to him and said “Will you please stop passing me!”. He laughed and said not to worry as there is a down hill coming.
I did pass him on the down hill and used my brakes for the first and only time at the sharp left at the river. One rider who did not use his brakes over cooked the corner and went into the guard rail and fell. Ouch!
The last section was hard and fast. I held off my “passer” and tried to catch the rabbit infront of me. However, as I held off my “passer”, my rabbit held me off.
I finished in 1:23:09 setting a new PR for this route.
| Total Elapsed Time | 1:23:01 |
| Ride Time (Time Moving) | 1:21:57 |
| Distance | 25.66 miles |
| Work, kJ | 1093 |
| Average Power, Watts | 219 |
| Average Cadence | 71 |
| Average Speed, mph | 18.54 |
| Average Heart Rate | 155 bpm |
| Weight | 198.0 lbs |
| Device | Edge 500 v2.800 |
Maupin Climb
| Distance | 3.5 miles |
| Avg Grade | 4.2% |
| Elev Gain | 779 feet |
