I was at Race2Replace today. I didn't do as well as I hoped, but not as badly as I feared either! This was my first experience in a road race environment, Race2Replace was called a Time Trial, but it was organized more like a Crit. It was mass start, in age groups with an hour to complete 25 miles....10 laps around the Brickyard. I completed the 10 laps, but was over the hour, at 62min:47.5secs. This was my first time riding in a “pack” or a paceline and I really enjoyed the experience.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, by the way, makes a great Velodrome! The track surface is grooved, along the direction of travel and smooth as a 20 year Scotch! Tire grip is incredible and the turns are nicely banked. You feel like you are riding on rails riding at speed, and fly through the turns!
I also rode with Lance Armstrong today with about 800 of my closest friends in the Lap Led by Lance at the R2R event. Biggest peloton you've ever seen, much less rode in!
All in all, a great day!
A Bad day on the bike beats most other days, except for a good day on the bike!