The Sweet Spot
Endurance racing is all about finding that place where you can ride at a quick pace, without blowing yourself into oblivion. Not too slow, and not too fast. A sweet spot. Of course, that spot is different for everyone. Riders at the front of the race can go much faster while using less energy than those in the back. Nevertheless, to succeed in an event that covers 80 miles and climbs 14,000 feet almost entirely on singletrack, most bike riders can’t simply hammer from start to finish. Those who can are the anomaly and exception.
In the 2010 Park City Point 2 Point, I tried to prove to myself that I could, if only for one day, be an anomaly. Predictably, I failed spectacularly. I have one goal for this year’s race: Find the sweet spot, and stay there until the last 10 or 15 miles. At that point, if I’ve been smart, and maybe a little lucky, I should have the juice to finish strong. To dig a little deeper. To leave the sweet spot. Maybe to even chase golden windows and other fantastical delusions.
But mostly, I just want to be smart on race day. Spin lightly. Fuel often. Smile a lot.
After all, the Point 2 Point is just a long ride on incredible trails. Which is itself a pretty darn sweet spot.
It’s time for the Point 2 Point.
No wonder I’m grinning like an idiot.
3 Comments
mark
September 1, 2011“Not to slow, and not to fast.”
Absolutely. You wouldn’t want to slow in excess. To fast would be a bad idea, too, as you would likely bonk.
Kendra
September 1, 2011I am holding you to this.
Dave Byers
September 5, 2011Adam, you looked to be in a very sweet spot spot when I saw you early in the race. Nice work and thanks for the kind words! Unfortunately, my day ended at Silver Lake as my crud left me with nothing, nada, zip. It was all I could do to get to Silver Lake from where you passed me.