Hattersheim marathon RTF

Marathon RTF:

• Distance: 202km (+10km from missed turn)
• Height gain: 2972m
• Time: 8h33m
• Av Speed: 27.8kph
• Calories: 5175 kcal.
• http://www.rc-hattersheim.de/giro_hattersheim.html
  

Enjoyed this last year so decided long ago that I'd do it again, unles I had a good excuse not to.

This time, dragged myself out of bed at 5 am. Was hoping to join the mass-start at 6 but this was optimistic and I saw a bunch of about 100 go past as I arrived. So took it easy and set off at 6:30. during the ride I was told that this wasn't a bad thing 'cos the mass-start is actually a race but without marshalls and with people who can't ride in a bunch. Hmm, would've been interesting! Must have been great for the flat bits before Feldberg. I guess it all falls to pieces then.

Ohh, this is too early for me. Not able to eat proper breakfast so early and kept yawning and couldn't get going until I hit the small steep hills before Feldeberg. Took it steady up Feldberg but still passed many.

Mainly rode alone, but rode with a guy, Gert, from PJ's Seeheim club for about 80km. Leading him most of the time 'cos he wanted to steady his pace 'cos he had ridden from Seeheim and was heading back by bike, to make it a 300km ride! I was feeling good and didn't care if he wanted to sit on my wheel and I didn't have to wait. I even added an extra 10km to our ride by missing a turning between kontrol 3 & 4- quite a nice downhill though!

Gert left me at kontrol 5 - to ride slowly while I fed more and then catch him up - but I discovered that I had a slow puncture in my rear tyre so lost 15 mins changing the tube. Tyre is worn out. Never saw Gert again, hope he made it.

As like last year I enjoyed the ride, but not as good as last year because we were plagued by headwinds (mainly from the south) this time. Had to keep the power on all but the steeper downhills to get a decent speed for the corners.

Anyway, I was pleased with my performance and recommend this great RTF.