First up was the Cat 4/5 race. I decided to race my single speed in the first race even though I would be at a slight disadvantage to the geared racers. I'm not a fast starting type of rider so I rode around the neighborhood for about 5 miles just to warm up and drink some Hammer Nutrition HEED. The start was not the best, but I was mid pack until about 200 meters in when my chain popped off. My chain had about 4500 miles on it and was very worn.
I put my chain back on and was able to ride about a lap and half before it fell off again. on my 4th lap it came off twice and the second time the chain wrapped up on the rear cog and locked the back wheel up. Now it was hike-a-bike time.
I had to walk 3/4 of the last lap and was passed by several racers. I still managed to finish 23 out of 28.
Luckily I had an hour and a half before the Single Speed race and my house was only a short walk home. I had just got a replacement chain during the week but had not replaced it before the race. I agree that was a big mistake on my part. After a quick change of the chain I was good to go for the next race.
While I was home I topped off my bottle with HEED and grabbed a Hammer Gel to have before the start.
Good news my repair worked and my bike worked fine for the Single Speed Open. Since the race was open I would be racing against Cat1-5 racers I was very pleased to finish 10th.
