Having done a 22 minute 10 and a 58 minute 25 already this season, had a crack at a fast 50 today in the API event.
When I arrived at the HQ, it was warm but a bit blowy. 5 mile ride to the start is a good warm up. Legs felt OK but stomach not quite right.
First 4 miles wind assisted - 10 minutes, then computer stopped working, so just rode to heart rate 165-170 (normally my 25 rate) and pushing hard, got to the first turn 22 miles 55 minutes, then 2 miles of HORRIBLE rough road to turn at 24 miles 58 minutes, then return to roundabout 26 miles 1:02. Then a flying 20 miles wind assisted before the final turn back into the wind, using the 11,12 and 13 this section was extremely quick (Nick Bowdler cruised past me). Turning at the far turn with 4.8 miles to go 1:43, was fairly certain that I would go inside, gave it everything on the last stretch, managing an uphill sprint to the timekeeper, stopping the clock at
[size=200]1:56:17[/size]
My fastest 50 time for the last 10 years, and only a minute off my fastest ever.