View high resolution

I’ve been taking a lot of tumbles recently. I am on a not-so-good streak. After dislocating a rib last weekend, I took a face-plant (literally) during a training ride this Saturday. Now I am walking around with a banged-up ribcage, road-rash on my shoulder and chin, and a bruised ego. I raced at Rainier on Sunday anyway. It was a slippery course. I fell - gently -  early in the race. After that I was too afraid to fall - hard - and do more damage to my ribs. I rode conservatively. Lost time to the lead group on the technical sections, gained it back on straights and climbs. Thanks to a hard straight climb leading up to the finish-line, I ended up second and got bumped up to the next category. Lesson learned: tubulars! I’ve been riding clinchers and, being to afraid for pinch flats and a DNF, I probably am riding around with too much pressure in my tires. I’ll let go of some air next week racing with the 35+ B category.