The small chain-ring

Yesterday, 10 April 2011, I found out what the small chain ring is for. In doing a Time Trial at Champion Lakes, I thought I was ready to do a PB. I have a coach now and I have been working at being better. Nothing could have prepared me for the gale force winds though.
The circuit was reversed for this day and we had a strong tail wind going down the long straight. This was nice, but the headwind in the other direction was 37 km/h gusting to 65! Going around the back turn was like running into a brick wall. The speed dropped from over 40 to 20 km/h or less. Intent on doing my best (mainly to impress the coach and my few supporters who braved the weather to watch) I dropped onto the small ring. I had to spin furiously to maintain forward motion. I did manage to ride just above 20 km/h into the wind, but it was real work.
I didn't do any cool down afterwords as I had absolutely nothing left in the tank.
Sprint finish? Not bloody likely. Maybe next time I will appreciate the (less strong) winds that we normally have. A calm day - watch out, the tortoise will get a PB!