Preparing for the Züri Metzgete

On Sunday the 7th of September I am riding in the Züri Metzgete. This is a pro race in Zurich, Switzerland. The organizers did not invite the pro men as they bring too much baggage it seems, but the women will be there and as part of the entertainment offered on the day they allow people like me to throw themselves at a pro level course.

But I was just scanning through the official program for the race next week and found this description of the course:

Das Rennen wird auf einem attraktiven, 52 km langem Rundkurs ausgetragen der zweimal zu absolvieren ist. Mit dem "Siglistorfer" und "Regensberger" stehen zwei monumentale Bergwertungen auf dem Programm, das viele Zuschauer anlocken wird.

Google Translation:

The race will be on an attractive, 52 km long circuit out twice a seesaw. With the "Siglistorfer" and "Rain of Berger" There are two monumental mountain ratings on the program, which attract many viewers.(you get the idea)

Wow, what have I gotten myself into? “Two monumental climbs”? This might just be really tough. I had checked the profile on the web site and was not too scared when I registered but now…this is a link to the graph of the climbs.

http://www.zueri-metzgete.ch/content/view/25/72/

I have already mounted my smaller gears (50x34) on the front of the bike a week ago to begin getting ready for this but do I need a triple crank? Oh well, this will be interesting. I had registered for the single lap of 52K and not the full 104K. But riders can choose to ride whatever they like while on the course.

The women’s race expects an average time of 1h25 for each lap. My thought is if I am under 1h50 for the first lap and still feel good to go for the second. There is a minimum speed (23kmh) which also must be maintained or they pull you off the course. I guess that means one can complete a lap in 2h15 or so..? I hope to make that even though there are 600 meters of climbing on each lap! I might be upwardly mobile in other parts of my life but not when on a bike. But when I get to the top and start the decent, watch out. That is my favorite part. And yes, the most dangerous part too.

Will this be fun? Sure. Will I be feeling this for a number of days after the race? Certainly but this is my final race of the season.

I have to still get an update from my race in Bavaria and last week's race in Norway. International circuit here I come!

p.s. the name of the race translates roughly into the Butcher of Zurich

PH