What a difference a weeks makes. The first As the Raven Flies Time Trial was just one week ago. The weather was cloudy and cold. The sun was to peek out from behind the low clouds, but it was never to be a warm day. The morning of the second Ravens Time Trial began with clear skies and very mild temperatures. No need for sweat shirts or leg warmers today!

My start time was 11:04. I followed my warmup routine and then headed down to the start line. My legs felt a bit tired but I was excited to be racing. Nearing the start line, I met Joanne who had just finished. Like her usual self, she was smiling. She warned me about the wind on the return leg and told me she had a much better time than last week.

At the starting line, I lined up behind Joe and Mark. These two are faster then I so I knew I would only see them after they turned around and were on the return leg.

Kevin counted down and I was off with a whoop and a yell. I intended to take the first hill easier than last week so I stayed in an easier gear until I reached the beginning of the hill and then shifted down quickly. I tried to keep my pedal speed up but was soon in my lowest gear. Grinding over the top, I hit the descent hard and shot through the traffic controlled stop sign at 40 mph.

Now begins the rollers. It was here that I was passed last week, but today I rode alone all of the way to the turn around point. No rabbits today.

On the return, I was passed twice. The first time by a speedy fellow who soon rode away from me. Then I was slowly passed by another and I able to use him as a rabbit. I stayed 25 yards behind hill, pacing him as we raced back toward the hill. The wind that Joanne warn me about seem to affect my rabbit more than me, but he was a small climber type and I knew that I would be dropped on the hill.

At the base of the hill we began our climb. I managed to stay with him for a while, but soon he moved forward away from me. By the time I reached the top, he was far ahead of me. I knew that I would not catch him on the descent.

I came out of the last corner flying toward the finishing line. However, coming toward me in my lane were a motorcyclist to the left and a wrong way cyclist on my right. I aimed carefully and shot between them adding to the excitement of finishing.

Glancing down at my cycling computer, I knew I had a good race and a personal record, which was a bit surprising to me as I feel I had been riding that well.

The Official resutls have me finishing at 35:38.47, a full thirty seconds faster than my prior best time. Once I came to a stop, Mark “Nutria” Newsome captured my oxygen debt state.

Total Elapsed Time	0:35:42
Ride Time (Time Moving)	0:35:43
Distance, mi	11.71
Work, kJ	448
Temperature, °F	67°
Average Power, Watts	209
Average Cadence	67
Average Speed, mph	19.68
Average Heart Rate	160
Weight, lbs	202.0