The Oregon Uphill CHallenge, OUCH, is 16 miles up Larch Mountain from Corbett. I have climb this before, but never raced it, until today.

This was my third uphill time trial of the season, and I was determined not to come in last, like I did in the first two.

The weather conditions were much different than my the other two uphill TTs. Instead of cold and wet, today was hot and dry. No need for arm warmers today. I was dripping sweat during my warmup on the trainer. I went through one water bottle warming up and decided to take two with me for the race.

Unlike all of the other time trials I have done, this one used a starting ramp, just like the Tour de France, except for the crowds, and the photographers and the television cameras. Starting times were 30 seconds apart, with the only tandem, the juniors and all of the women starting in front of me. Joanne’s starting time was nearly 30 minutes before mine and I wondered if I would be able to catch her.

One by one we climbed up the back of the ramp, and every thirty seconds a rider rolled down and was off. Soon, my turn came.

I declined the TT hold, and rolled down the ramp and onto the road way. This would be a long race so I did not start off with a sprint, but quickly brought my pace up to my race pace. Soon, others began to pass me. I rode as hard as I could and was impressed with my average heart rate of 139 bpm, but I was passed by many, many others. It would be that way for the entire race. The only people I pass were not in the race but climbing the hill for fun.

After a very long time, I knew I in the last two miles. I tried to pick my pace and put my heart rate above 155 bpm and tried to hold it there until the finishing lines. I did so for the first mile, but during the last mile I tired and my effort fell a bit.

Joanne was at the finishing line cheering me, and I was very happy to be done. After I recovered, Joanne and I traded times and I found out that I was three minutes slower than her. I was happy for here, but a bit upset with myself. I can climb better than her, but not today.

Once the results were posted, I was 157th out of 160 starters. Not what I was hoping for, but I knew I had put out my best effort.