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08-26-02, 08:00 AM
I know Hotter N Hell is being talked about in a few threads but
I want to post a semi long message covering a few things.
First Lotek met 1oldroadie and 1sweetroadie, great meeting them
and thanks for the tip on setting up the cateye Astrale.
I really wish we had more time to talk.
the bike
As many of you know I just built up frameset and wheels,
I had about 20 miles on it prior to HHH, figured it would be
a good place to shake it out.
I love the bike, the frame is amazing, and soaked up most of
the crap the road had (and there were some absolutely
horrible sections, chip and seal would be an improvement).
I got used to that newfangled ergo shifting thing pretty
quickly, I do like my friction shifting but. . .
I have one gear on the back that consistantly missed on
downshifts, had downshift past it and then upshift onto
it. Will look at that later.
I installed new computer night before the ride, Cateye Astrale
with cadence. People if you don't have cadence go out and
get a cadence monitor. its a major help up hills, etc.,
I was amazed to learn my cadence is higher than I thought.
Its a little finicky to set up but a great item at a good price.
Wheels: I laced em, trued and glued em. Never rode a better
wheel. As I said the road surface was pretty crappy at times
but the wheels did ok except for one 20 metre stretch coming
out of Sheppard Airforce base where you're on loose sand.
23mm tires don't like sand.
the ride
what can I say about a 100k ride in 104 degree heat?
The start is chaotic to say the least, between the roller bladers,
families with kids on 20inch wheel bikes, wankers who think
this is a mass start RACE it can be a little daunting.
It took about 10 to 15 minutes till I got to where I could
actually pedal, not bad all in all.
No, its not a hilly ride, but its not exactly flat.
SAG support was good, but some of the wagons went by
so fast it was hard to get noticed if one were struggling.
The rest areas are good, but could use more than bananas
oranges H2O and Powerade. PB&J would be ok.
I really didn't notice the heat, I was so sweatsoaked any
breeze evaporated nicely.
how we did
As I said, the wife and I did the 100k, she made 50+ miles
before she totally bonked. I'm really proud of her, since she
is kinda new to all this. She's really kicking herself for not
pushing the last 10 miles.
With about 10 miles left I learned what seize really means.
it started with a cramp in right hamstring when dismounting
at rest stop. I stretched it out and was ok, got on bike and
1 mile later my leg "seized", what this means is that all muscles
begin to cramp, and with opposing action of the muscle groups
attempts to pull your leg apart, 1/2 mile later other leg started.
both legs were cramping until 2 hours post ride.
I think I averaged 10 miles/hour for last 10 miles but hung in
there. Had the SAG wagon hovering, and lots of folks
inquiring about my health. I had chills for a few hours
after ride but after about a gallon of liquid they subsided.
My legs are kinda sore today (monday)
and my right calf feels as if someone hit it with ball peen hammer.
Will I do this ride again? you bet. I've already got
reservations for place to stay and tonight I start
training for the 100 miles.
Marty
I want to post a semi long message covering a few things.
First Lotek met 1oldroadie and 1sweetroadie, great meeting them
and thanks for the tip on setting up the cateye Astrale.
I really wish we had more time to talk.
the bike
As many of you know I just built up frameset and wheels,
I had about 20 miles on it prior to HHH, figured it would be
a good place to shake it out.
I love the bike, the frame is amazing, and soaked up most of
the crap the road had (and there were some absolutely
horrible sections, chip and seal would be an improvement).
I got used to that newfangled ergo shifting thing pretty
quickly, I do like my friction shifting but. . .
I have one gear on the back that consistantly missed on
downshifts, had downshift past it and then upshift onto
it. Will look at that later.
I installed new computer night before the ride, Cateye Astrale
with cadence. People if you don't have cadence go out and
get a cadence monitor. its a major help up hills, etc.,
I was amazed to learn my cadence is higher than I thought.
Its a little finicky to set up but a great item at a good price.
Wheels: I laced em, trued and glued em. Never rode a better
wheel. As I said the road surface was pretty crappy at times
but the wheels did ok except for one 20 metre stretch coming
out of Sheppard Airforce base where you're on loose sand.
23mm tires don't like sand.
the ride
what can I say about a 100k ride in 104 degree heat?
The start is chaotic to say the least, between the roller bladers,
families with kids on 20inch wheel bikes, wankers who think
this is a mass start RACE it can be a little daunting.
It took about 10 to 15 minutes till I got to where I could
actually pedal, not bad all in all.
No, its not a hilly ride, but its not exactly flat.
SAG support was good, but some of the wagons went by
so fast it was hard to get noticed if one were struggling.
The rest areas are good, but could use more than bananas
oranges H2O and Powerade. PB&J would be ok.
I really didn't notice the heat, I was so sweatsoaked any
breeze evaporated nicely.
how we did
As I said, the wife and I did the 100k, she made 50+ miles
before she totally bonked. I'm really proud of her, since she
is kinda new to all this. She's really kicking herself for not
pushing the last 10 miles.
With about 10 miles left I learned what seize really means.
it started with a cramp in right hamstring when dismounting
at rest stop. I stretched it out and was ok, got on bike and
1 mile later my leg "seized", what this means is that all muscles
begin to cramp, and with opposing action of the muscle groups
attempts to pull your leg apart, 1/2 mile later other leg started.
both legs were cramping until 2 hours post ride.
I think I averaged 10 miles/hour for last 10 miles but hung in
there. Had the SAG wagon hovering, and lots of folks
inquiring about my health. I had chills for a few hours
after ride but after about a gallon of liquid they subsided.
My legs are kinda sore today (monday)
and my right calf feels as if someone hit it with ball peen hammer.
Will I do this ride again? you bet. I've already got
reservations for place to stay and tonight I start
training for the 100 miles.
Marty