[dropcap] In [/ dropcap] arszawa is the worst place to ride a bike, and every race is the best training. Dot. I have no form lately, because instead of exercising - I visit. Considering the above points and the fact that at the beginning of July one of the best Polish races in the mountains takes place - the Beskid Loop, the plan for the weekend was rather obvious: A few hours in the car, a few sleeping hours, a few hours of racing, a few food, a few sleeping again, some driving again, some returning. On Monday morning, as usual, we sit at work with the idea that you can finally relax after the weekend, and until the next trip to the mountains (Tatra Road Race) there are still 4 days left, so maybe even the laundry will be done.
Warm, warmer, Beskydy.
It is not known until the end how it happens, but on the Loop is always warm. Sometimes it's usually warm, sometimes very warm ... this time, however, it was a bit exaggerated. I was more warm than when you open the oven, put your head in it quickly to smell the cake, but you forget that hot air is always on. When I wake up on a Saturday morning, there are around noon - bright, the sun high, the temperature around 25 degrees ... and the watch shows 5:30. The first problem appears, which does not let you fall asleep - what distance to choose. I do not remember when I last cycled 150km, so the decision falls on 60km shorter loop travel, similar increases. There should be more attractions along the route while filming in circles, and the lack of cars seems to be quite a significant convenience. Unexpectedly, most friends choose a longer option. We store starter packages consisting of food, water bottle and kilogram of catalogs behind the garbage at the finish line. It is a pity that we did not get on the socks - previous, promoting the Loop, they broke into an accident.
Getting to the loops, or breakfast eaten a second time.
The race itself is doing exactly the same as every year, at least from my midpoint, point of view. It is more or less 5 km long, the driveway to Zameczek is still going on. So subjectively, it probably lasts for half an hour. A large group moving from under the hill stretched and the plunger disappeared. According to the plan, I sit on the saddle for 10 minutes (objectively), and the morning roll with banana and jam is already in the place where it tastes again. It's the difference between running and cycling. Instead of a steady pace, 155 minute movements per minute, to move so that the goal is achieved after about 40 minutes, the roll comes up with me in the driveways, and then goes down ... unless the wheel grabs a slip on one of the sharp corners, then it goes faster. And that is not difficult. The route is cheerfully covered with sand or gravel. With each successive lap it clears itself slightly, but the harvest is harvested. The boys clean her hips.
There are also charms of drainage channels along the road (seemingly across, but at the same angle, so that you can not get into the tire). At speeds around 70km / h, on relatively narrow and winding trails they are able to surprise. Two years ago, after hitting one of them, the handle from GoPro on the steering wheel stopped me. In this, I thought for a moment that my wrist had stopped.
Along the way I pass a few people who landed in a ditch. I also pass a few who are a bit bruised, but they roll to the finish line. Some of them ride with one hand, because the other - bed - does not work:
First circle - I'm hardcore.
My fears of form, despite the lack of training, have turned out to be wrong. Although the heart rate jumps into space, shortness of breath is, but not louder than others. At the congress I am again a freshman, full of relaxation. I'm going with a friend, I'm disappearing at the descents, I catch up on the climbs. We are ahead of some people with this technique. The first lap goes quite well. I quickly realize, however, that when I am down I have no one on the wheel and I saw the last group a long time ago. Threads of nice photos along the route. I can focus on pedaling.
Second round - the first crack on honor
We're still rocking. It's still great. The reunions are coming out better, the surface is getting cleaner. We're going fast as lightning. Like Tomy Lee Jones in "The Pursuit." For the sale of Crocs in Lidl or the last vacant place in the Wołoska tram. In the driveway to Kubalonka, we board two people on a wheel and take off as heads ... at least until we discover that they are girls. However, there are no photographers on this passage, so we drive up behind them like a ninja to the very top and like real heroes, noble princesses from a fairy tale, we leave them at the congress.
At this point, it should be mentioned that I have seen a lady from Romet more than once. Particularly annoying was the view, when it moved away on the horizon - this time in front of me.
Third round - the end of the rash
At the beginning of the lap Adam, with whom I was driving, disappears at the exit. I see his back a dozen meters away, then several dozen, then only with the eyes of the imagination. I start to watch my drive while driving, because how it is possible that the climbs on which I have recently reached a dizzy 18km / h now "I defeat" at one-digit speed. Nothing rubs, the air is, the spokes are in place. Is it possible? Is the electricity running out? I am starting a gel-jelly feast. Basically, everything I had in my pockets became gel and jelly. Sweat dripping from the head. For the first time I leave my friends on the way to a refill bottle. I do not know if it was possible to cross it using only the cups they served at the buffet at the top of Stecówki. At the marathon distance, the boys stood at the gas station to replenish their supplies. It's dry. Dry and warm.
Water bottles are probably the most desirable equipment in the area. It reminds me that in a week I'm starting in Tatra Road Race. Maybe I have not paid for it yet? Maybe they cancel? Maybe something will happen, so I will not be able to go there? It will not be easier ... why all this?
The fourth round - the meaning of life is lost
I have no reasonable reason to retreat. Every kilometer that I have traveled, I count myself to pieces of pizza in the Colorata pizzeria in the center of Wisła. We visit her always in the area - it's big, I do not know if it's good, but it's big for sure. This is always the main criterion when staying in the mountains. Footsteps ahead of me, mothers with children, small animals, dust carried by the wind. It seems to be a special success that I will move forward even though there is a driveway.
However, to ride, you have to ride. Especially if the route is about 4 hours. If someone is good, it's easier - he goes shorter. I am going for so long that I am throwing up cycling, probably for the first time this season. I quit the Tatra Mountains, it does not make sense. I will start running ... or play badminton ... or a farm on Facebook - I will ask friends for boards until they block me. Then I'll find other friends.
Lap fifth - I see the darkness. I see darkness and fuzzyness.
I was sure that each of my congresses would be getting faster. He was not. As far as the fourth lap is already the evening, then the fifth I drive at night. After three beers. In the corners I slow down more than usual - a trip to the Tour de France is approaching, I do not want to get a place for an invalid on the plane. Although each cut is a fairly good opener conversation in cycling company. On the last driveway my friends from long distance pass me. They are going the other way, they were already at the finishing line. Before I remember that they were taking part an hour earlier, I'm throwing cycling for the third time that day.
However, the worst is something else. I realize that if I sum up the isotonics that I drank, jellies, jelly, bars, which I ate boredom along the way, it would turn out that I probably did not deserve a pizza. It's hard, I'll eat on credit.
End. Paralytic event
I arrive at the finish line. The event is already on the whole. This is similar to the intersection of the indwalidów and
paralytics with people without the will to live. We all throw cycling, we have enough. If you ever wanted to buy a high-end bike for PLN 200, this is the place. You put up a banner "I will exchange vanilla shakes for a bike" and return home with a full roof rack.
Cramps, dehydration, fatigue, discouragement, and again only one person won. Everyone else lost. I arrived somewhere in the middle of the rate - utter boredom. We all have enough. We all say that never again and that we put away the bikes and sit in front of the TV. It passes 40 minutes before we leave the finish line. That's about the size of the belly filling with coca-cola and watermelon.
We decide to start spending time with family, on the meadow instead of on the battlefield. Fighting with myself, because the more I have experience, the more I know I have no chance - especially in the mountains. Because it's not about taking colleagues, overcoming yourself, about proving something. Even the medals are not in contrast to running. Actually, I do not know what's going on, but it just draws you in. It draws you without unnecessary philosophy. As the well-known Polish training idea says:
"Weak must take care, the strong must survive"
and it is about being among those strong. Of course, you can be weak and happy ... but why?
Then Sylvia arrives - the second open at the distance of the marathon. Less than 7 hours of driving. He says the best route ever. 
That great views that she ate on the way the candy bar, so she is not hungry. I do not want the water bottle, because I drank along the way. He takes the finish line with a smile. It's good that I only see it because it's some depression. Gentlemen from the service applaud. Balloons, trumpets, flames ... or maybe it's just the gels in your stomach that make you feel.
We're all going home and showering. Then pizza and grill. We go to sleep 3 hours later than usual, because after 10 pm We have enough bikes.
The next day, around 8 am, most of us meet again on the race route, this time on the time trial ....
Sunday - day of panting.
We left the time. With current efficiency, I would have a mid-distance collapse ... i.e. somewhere around the first kilometer. However, let's stop by to see how others suffer. Make a look, it's more permeable. We know very well that most of us will see each other in a week in the Tatras. In similar circumstances of nature. We will be throwing cycling again. Somewhere in the week you will probably be able to fit two or three workouts or rides. On which we will not want to go completely. If it was not for washing, the bag could lie unpackaged throughout the season. Or longer, because since we discovered winter riding across the mountains, even in the snow you can not rest.
Because let's be honest, cycling is hard.
It is even very heavy and lasts for a long time.
Fortunately, every weekend ends well. Even better.
In the end, I would like to congratulate Oska Warszawa's colleagues who have spent the second and third places on long distances. As you can see, you can practice on a flat and ride well in the mountains.
