Finding a small victory in the middle of a race

Twenty miles in, Jeff flats. He’s our guy, the one we want on the podium, so Dan, Tim, and I let the peloton go so we can help Jeff chase back on. But it’s a double flat and he’s done. There aren’t team radios at this level, so we didn’t know. But dropping back was the right call; it’s our job.

We’re off the back by 30 seconds or so, which doesn’t sound like a lot until you start doing the math. And you realize you just shouldn’t do the math; just put your head down, work together.

Three guys (in their 50s) chasing a group of 20. But we caught them, after a hard eight miles, which I’m counting as a small victory — even though we were so drained we couldn’t stay with them.

And, please, let’s not talk about the woman who out-sprinted me at the finish.

The ride: https://www.strava.com/activities/1052204346