The Rapha Gentlemen's Race

The Rapha Gentlemen's race is an invitational, unsanctioned, un-marshalled race over 133 miles, that boasts 12k feet of climbing. The course was made up of lots of road, and what had to be an equal amount of gravel and dirt road climbs. Teams of 6 riders take off at 6 minute intervals and attack the course. The teams must start and finish together with all 6 riders. 25 teams took the start this year.

I was invited to stoker (rear seat on a tandem) for with Pat Engleman (captain, front of a tandem) for Team Bilenky. Pat and I were happily aboard a heavenly-hand built tandem that recently won top prizes at the North American Hand Built Bike Show in Austin, Tx. Check out the rest of the team at Bilenky’s Blog:
http://bilenkycycles.blogspot.com/

The Race:
I own now, my 2nd tandem, and have only captained so be in the stoker seat was going to be a huge change for me. But, after training for 20 minutes with Bob from Bilenky I was all set!
Our team set off Saturday AM, and things went fairly well. Pat and I suffered a few mechanicals:
1. Loose saddle bolt (Pat), seat height adjustment (me)
2. Tire blow out from over heating our rim on a super slick, technical descent that claimed an IF rider
3. Bent Derailleur
4. Oh, and we got fairly lost and off track for a while

Unfortunately, we did not make the time cut-off so at the last check point, so we were sent back on a short cut and only did 100 miles. We were able to finish at the T-town Velodrome and ride 2 laps on the track Paris Roubaix style!!
The route was beautiful, the climbs made me want to burst into tears, and descents were thrilling and scary at the same time. I feel like I also have 5 new friends! It was a great day on the bike.

Photos to come!
SP

The Route:
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/33003878