We all know Randy as a bike Scientist, a true wealth of information and experience. He always personable and patient with us and our endless questions.
He is a fixture on our team rides, always going long, never riding arrogantly or dropping people to sooth his Ego..always giving more than he takes..
My Report is Simple
Its not about Me, Its about our team coach and my partner...
Randy Warren
The experience was shocking
I wasn't sure what to expect, I'd never ridden with Aero bars or Tubulars and the last TT I did was the 4 manTT 2 years ago and I blew up 3/4 of the way thru..
We arrived early enough to register and pre-drive the course, something I'd never done before...amazing how much this helped.
Randy gave me key instructions on rotation and verbal cues that would be used over the next 40K, We talked about the 20+mph winds and direction on course while we rolled around before our start time
We lined up and waited for our turn, rooting teammates on as they took off 2 minutes ahead, Then...
It was our turn...3. 2, beeeeeeeep...
We're off...The plan was Randy would set the Pace
I fully expected us to settle in gradually....WRONG
Randy takes off with an intensity that I've never seen in 3 years of riding with him...With the High Powered Tailwind I'm in my 11 in 500 meters
mashing my peddles with all my might just to hold his wheel and all I could think was ...I have another hour of this...I'm in serious trouble
I will be perfectly honest here...I took 5 pulls for maybe a minute each and Randy was responsible for the other 50 minutes on course..
The man is a Wild Animal on his bike, I was warned by my xXx mentors of Randy's Engine, Now I felt its Fury..
When I tell you it took everything I had to hold his Wheel in this TT, I'm not stretching the Truth, this was the most pain I've ever felt on a bike to date..
I tried my absolute best to help Randy rest after epic Pulls, I turned myself inside out in the Last K with Randy screaming at me like a Drill Instructor
C"MON NEWT !!!!!
We passed the Line and my body shut down, I started dry heaving and had to get off the bike STAT, first thing I did in the parking lot was give Randy a Hug and say Thank You, Thank You for one of the most intense and amazing Bike experiences I've ever had. Randy and this TT gave me so much valuable information into the neighborhood I need to travel in If I wanna get Faster...
We finished 3rd in the Open 40+
I'm convinced if Randy would have rolled with someone of Equal TT Power they would have won the overall, but I'm glad He didn't and feel Honored and Lucky he asked me...Someday I hope to have another chance at redeeming myself in a 2 man with Randy, I'll be better prepared and know what to expect before hand
Thanks Randy !!