aham23
07-15-07, 05:03 AM
new thread for the write ups so they are easier to find. lets hear them and see them, as i spotted serval BF'ers with cameras. i need some coffee (maybe a BK Joe:rolleyes: ) and TDF catchup before doing mine. later.
View Full Version : RAIN Ride Reports
mikeat
07-15-07, 08:13 AM
I've been having a pretty rough couple of months on the bike. Although my average speed has been higher this year than ever, I've had plenty of problems - 6 flats in the last two months (most guys get maybe one a year), a noisy wheel... but going into the RAIN ride I felt like I had everything sorted. I had installed new tubes and tires, the bike was shifting nicely, and I finally had gotten over the burnout that had started to creep into my training rides.
So when my riding partner, Dave, started to worry about this year's ride, I tried to calm him down; we were going to be riding with people that were a bit faster than us, but I felt like we had the training in to stick with the pack. And we did out of the gate - from the start we were moving at 23+, but closer to 25 mph. We rode through Terre Haute with the police escort, and as we made the turn onto Route 40 the pack split up a bit, but the lead pack was within our sights.
We had caught on with a group of cyclists from Nebo Ridge bike shop - about ten of us in a double paceline, me on the back at about mile twelve.... and then the deer ran across the road and collided with my bicycle, breaking my front wheel, twisting my stem, throwing my bicycle across a lane, throwing me onto the pavement, cracking my helmet, and leaving me with road rash across my back, and scabs on my wrist, knee and ankle.
I couldn't really tell you how it happened... I heard someone call out "Deer!", I saw the deer and the
next thing I knew I was trying to pull myself out of the traffic lane. Someone picked up my bike and pulled it to the side of the road, and my riding partners Dave and Dale stopped to make sure I was ok. I told them to go on, thinking that I was hurting but ok, not realizing the extent of the damage... as I gathered my wits I considered trying to get back onto the bike, then realized my wheel was destroyed. I called my support vehicle and sat on the side of the road watching the remaining 80% of the pack go by.
I can't help but wonder what might have been - we were definitely on course for a record time - and although Dave abandoned at mile 90 due to frustration (and loss of his riding partner), Dale pushed on and finished in 8 hours even - a speed I'd like to think I could have maintained with him.
I guess we'll find out next year.
My bike is now at the bike shop, with a tore up new Specialized Toupe seat (which I bought a month ago), a taco'ed front wheel... something's wrong with the back wheel as well... all in all I'm guessing it's going to be a $500 bill.
In addition my back is stiff, my foot is swollen, I'm scabby... but in good enough spirits anyway. Of course I'm frustrated that I put in all the training and then had the results taken away from me. And I'm pissed that deer don't generally have insurance. I'm anxious to see what the doctor will find.
Oh well...
the worst part is the picture makes me look like i need to drop 20 lbs.
i mean, i probably do but...
http://www.ridehorsey.com/b2.jpg
the deer just ran away.
So when my riding partner, Dave, started to worry about this year's ride, I tried to calm him down; we were going to be riding with people that were a bit faster than us, but I felt like we had the training in to stick with the pack. And we did out of the gate - from the start we were moving at 23+, but closer to 25 mph. We rode through Terre Haute with the police escort, and as we made the turn onto Route 40 the pack split up a bit, but the lead pack was within our sights.
We had caught on with a group of cyclists from Nebo Ridge bike shop - about ten of us in a double paceline, me on the back at about mile twelve.... and then the deer ran across the road and collided with my bicycle, breaking my front wheel, twisting my stem, throwing my bicycle across a lane, throwing me onto the pavement, cracking my helmet, and leaving me with road rash across my back, and scabs on my wrist, knee and ankle.
I couldn't really tell you how it happened... I heard someone call out "Deer!", I saw the deer and the
next thing I knew I was trying to pull myself out of the traffic lane. Someone picked up my bike and pulled it to the side of the road, and my riding partners Dave and Dale stopped to make sure I was ok. I told them to go on, thinking that I was hurting but ok, not realizing the extent of the damage... as I gathered my wits I considered trying to get back onto the bike, then realized my wheel was destroyed. I called my support vehicle and sat on the side of the road watching the remaining 80% of the pack go by.
I can't help but wonder what might have been - we were definitely on course for a record time - and although Dave abandoned at mile 90 due to frustration (and loss of his riding partner), Dale pushed on and finished in 8 hours even - a speed I'd like to think I could have maintained with him.
I guess we'll find out next year.
My bike is now at the bike shop, with a tore up new Specialized Toupe seat (which I bought a month ago), a taco'ed front wheel... something's wrong with the back wheel as well... all in all I'm guessing it's going to be a $500 bill.
In addition my back is stiff, my foot is swollen, I'm scabby... but in good enough spirits anyway. Of course I'm frustrated that I put in all the training and then had the results taken away from me. And I'm pissed that deer don't generally have insurance. I'm anxious to see what the doctor will find.
Oh well...
the worst part is the picture makes me look like i need to drop 20 lbs.
i mean, i probably do but...
http://www.ridehorsey.com/b2.jpg
the deer just ran away.
Tom Stormcrowe
07-15-07, 08:42 AM
Yikes! I'm just happy you weren't hurt as badly as you could have been!
CyLowe97
07-15-07, 09:38 AM
i need some coffee (maybe a BK Joe:rolleyes: )
As a matter of fact, I had a large one with my croissanwich this morning. It was danged good, coffee snob!
:rolleyes: , indeed.
Pics and ride thoughts when I get them loaded (or after I get loaded, whichever comes first).
As a matter of fact, I had a large one with my croissanwich this morning. It was danged good, coffee snob!
:rolleyes: , indeed.
Pics and ride thoughts when I get them loaded (or after I get loaded, whichever comes first).
CyLowe97
07-15-07, 09:42 AM
And I'm pissed that deer don't generally have insurance.
.... :o
Sorry to hear of your misfortune, but glad to hear you were not seriously hurt and that your funny bone is intact.
.... :o
Sorry to hear of your misfortune, but glad to hear you were not seriously hurt and that your funny bone is intact.
Dewbert
07-15-07, 09:54 AM
I'm glad you're up and about. I think you've sort of become a legend now....people were talking about you all day. I've decided that you should probably sue Santa Claus because he's not keeping his "RAIN-deer" under control!!!!!
Seriously, though. Glad know you're OK.
Seriously, though. Glad know you're OK.
mikeat
07-15-07, 09:57 AM
well 80% of the pack rode by me, so i can see how people might have been wondering about the guy with the taco'ed wheel.
i'm just pissed we were so fast and then it happened. i know i could have cut a couple hours off last year's time, and i'll be lucky if we ever get that nice of weather again.
anyway. thanks for the concern.
i'm just pissed we were so fast and then it happened. i know i could have cut a couple hours off last year's time, and i'll be lucky if we ever get that nice of weather again.
anyway. thanks for the concern.
mikeat
07-15-07, 09:59 AM
also, a lot of folks stopped to ask if i needed help, and a guy actually drove up and offered me a wheel he had in his trunk (but if you look i needed a lot more than a wheel), so thanks to those folks.
JeniCincinnati
07-15-07, 10:08 AM
Wow! I'm really sorry to hear that. Get better soon.
JeniCincinnati
JeniCincinnati
DXchulo
07-15-07, 10:28 AM
The weather was absolutely perfect yesterday. Not too hot and a nice tailwind for most of the ride. I'm looking forward to seeing the results posted on RAIN's site. I bet times were a lot faster this year.
This was my 3rd straight RAIN, and the day started out as normal for me. I woke up early and drove to Terre Haute with my GF. We made it to the Drury Inn a little before 5:30. I got my number packet and my GF took advantage of the hotel's free breakfast. We left the Drury and made it to the start line around 6:00. I set up my bike, lubed my taint, and waited for the start.
Here I am, ready to ride:
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x26/DXchulo/RAIN1.jpg
Since I was at the line early we parked pretty close to the front and I had good position for the start.
The line prior to the start:
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x26/DXchulo/RAIN3.jpg
A closer look at my ugly ass:
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x26/DXchulo/RAIN4.jpg
Here's a link to a video of the start. You can get an idea of just how many riders show up for this great event: http://youtube.com/watch?v=sntTQXDBd6Y
The ride started out nervously, as usual, with lots of nervous slowing in the pack. I was in pretty good position, but I spent most of my time in Terre Haute moving up even closer to the front. Last year the lead group got away and I was too far back to do anything about it. I didn't want that to happen this time.
Luckily for me, it didn't. We ended up with a very large lead group. The pace was fast, but not insane. Everything was looking good, and my legs felt great. About the only thing that went wrong for me for the first 100 miles or so was that I lost 2 bottles out of my Profile Design Aqua rack after I hit a bumpy manhole cover when I was moving up by riding in the gutter very early on in the ride.
I was a little nervous about the detour around Indy. If the group was pushing hard through there it would only take one missed stop light at a busy intersection or something like that to lose them. So, right before we got off of 40 I made an effort to make it to the front of the pack. Everyone seemed to be taking it pretty easy through that detour, which was good. That was the toughest part of the ride for me last year. This time it didn't start getting tough until right before we rejoined 40 at Greenfield. The wind (crosswind at this point) was picking up and my legs were starting to feel it. I knew it would be easier back on 40, so that wasn't too bad.
As soon as we got back on 40 I could feel the tailwind and I knew 8 hours was in the bag easily. I was starting to think maybe I could stick with the lead group, who were probably going to get closer to 6:30. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but some guys in front of me were getting drinks from a car on the side of the road and a big gap opened up. This had been happening all day, so I didn't think much about it, but at this point the gap was large enough and my legs were fried enough that I wasn't able to close the gap. I made a good effort for at least 5 miles, even unsuccessfully trying to tuck in behind a few cars. I was making up ground for a while and thought I would actually catch up, but eventually I tired out and started losing ground. Even though I was dropped, I figured I'd be close to 7 hours, which was good enough for me. I turned my computer so I could only see the time of day, relaxed, and enjoyed the ride. I even stopped at the last stop to get one of their famous popsicles. When I saw the "10 miles to go" paint on the road I realized that I might be able to beat 7 hours if I pushed hard. I dug down and managed to make it. I think my official time was 6:58, but I'm not certain. All I know for sure is that I beat 7 hours.
I didn't feel too bad after the ride. Last year I was dehydrated and a little bit out of it, but this year I felt like I could have kept riding for a while, especially with that nice tailwind. All in all I'm very happy. I wouldn't have beat 7 hours without the tailwind, but I know I could have beat my 8 hour goal. I did a smart ride and actually did well on nutrition, which definitely wasn't the case on the 24-hour event I did last month.
I hope you all had a good ride. I'm looking forward to next year already!
This was my 3rd straight RAIN, and the day started out as normal for me. I woke up early and drove to Terre Haute with my GF. We made it to the Drury Inn a little before 5:30. I got my number packet and my GF took advantage of the hotel's free breakfast. We left the Drury and made it to the start line around 6:00. I set up my bike, lubed my taint, and waited for the start.
Here I am, ready to ride:
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x26/DXchulo/RAIN1.jpg
Since I was at the line early we parked pretty close to the front and I had good position for the start.
The line prior to the start:
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x26/DXchulo/RAIN3.jpg
A closer look at my ugly ass:
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x26/DXchulo/RAIN4.jpg
Here's a link to a video of the start. You can get an idea of just how many riders show up for this great event: http://youtube.com/watch?v=sntTQXDBd6Y
The ride started out nervously, as usual, with lots of nervous slowing in the pack. I was in pretty good position, but I spent most of my time in Terre Haute moving up even closer to the front. Last year the lead group got away and I was too far back to do anything about it. I didn't want that to happen this time.
Luckily for me, it didn't. We ended up with a very large lead group. The pace was fast, but not insane. Everything was looking good, and my legs felt great. About the only thing that went wrong for me for the first 100 miles or so was that I lost 2 bottles out of my Profile Design Aqua rack after I hit a bumpy manhole cover when I was moving up by riding in the gutter very early on in the ride.
I was a little nervous about the detour around Indy. If the group was pushing hard through there it would only take one missed stop light at a busy intersection or something like that to lose them. So, right before we got off of 40 I made an effort to make it to the front of the pack. Everyone seemed to be taking it pretty easy through that detour, which was good. That was the toughest part of the ride for me last year. This time it didn't start getting tough until right before we rejoined 40 at Greenfield. The wind (crosswind at this point) was picking up and my legs were starting to feel it. I knew it would be easier back on 40, so that wasn't too bad.
As soon as we got back on 40 I could feel the tailwind and I knew 8 hours was in the bag easily. I was starting to think maybe I could stick with the lead group, who were probably going to get closer to 6:30. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but some guys in front of me were getting drinks from a car on the side of the road and a big gap opened up. This had been happening all day, so I didn't think much about it, but at this point the gap was large enough and my legs were fried enough that I wasn't able to close the gap. I made a good effort for at least 5 miles, even unsuccessfully trying to tuck in behind a few cars. I was making up ground for a while and thought I would actually catch up, but eventually I tired out and started losing ground. Even though I was dropped, I figured I'd be close to 7 hours, which was good enough for me. I turned my computer so I could only see the time of day, relaxed, and enjoyed the ride. I even stopped at the last stop to get one of their famous popsicles. When I saw the "10 miles to go" paint on the road I realized that I might be able to beat 7 hours if I pushed hard. I dug down and managed to make it. I think my official time was 6:58, but I'm not certain. All I know for sure is that I beat 7 hours.
I didn't feel too bad after the ride. Last year I was dehydrated and a little bit out of it, but this year I felt like I could have kept riding for a while, especially with that nice tailwind. All in all I'm very happy. I wouldn't have beat 7 hours without the tailwind, but I know I could have beat my 8 hour goal. I did a smart ride and actually did well on nutrition, which definitely wasn't the case on the 24-hour event I did last month.
I hope you all had a good ride. I'm looking forward to next year already!
CyLowe97
07-15-07, 11:01 AM
We took a few pictures at the starting line and a couple out on the road.
Check out the slideshow on flickr: 2007 RAIN Ride BFNIC photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/10082281@N05/sets/72157600836108018/)
The ride was a lot of fun. We rolled off near the very start of the line, which was a great decision. It kept us in the faster group through to first rest stop.
When we got to the second stop, I had 21.9 mph average for 60 miles, which is insane fast for my rec rider legs. That tailwind was a definite plus.
I rolled into Richmond and my cyclometer had 20.0 mph with a couple miles to go. Vanity and adrenaline took over and I hammered the last couple of miles to finish the 160.5 miles in a riding time of 7:58 (20.1 mph!) and a total time of 9:23 (those breaks add up quick, but were sure needed).
Great ride. Congratulations to everyone who completed it. More thoughts as they are collected.
Check out the slideshow on flickr: 2007 RAIN Ride BFNIC photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/10082281@N05/sets/72157600836108018/)
The ride was a lot of fun. We rolled off near the very start of the line, which was a great decision. It kept us in the faster group through to first rest stop.
When we got to the second stop, I had 21.9 mph average for 60 miles, which is insane fast for my rec rider legs. That tailwind was a definite plus.
I rolled into Richmond and my cyclometer had 20.0 mph with a couple miles to go. Vanity and adrenaline took over and I hammered the last couple of miles to finish the 160.5 miles in a riding time of 7:58 (20.1 mph!) and a total time of 9:23 (those breaks add up quick, but were sure needed).
Great ride. Congratulations to everyone who completed it. More thoughts as they are collected.
R900
07-15-07, 11:39 AM
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x26/DXchulo/RAIN1.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x26/DXchulo/RAIN4.jpg
Great Ride!
Wow, I can't believe we missed you, that's my SAG on the right in the first pic (with the 2 wheels on top), and that ME in the last pic with the OSU jersey.
More later...
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x26/DXchulo/RAIN4.jpg
Great Ride!
Wow, I can't believe we missed you, that's my SAG on the right in the first pic (with the 2 wheels on top), and that ME in the last pic with the OSU jersey.
More later...
Psimet2001
07-15-07, 11:59 AM
Great Ride!
Wow, I can't believe we missed you, that's my SAG on the right in the first pic (with the 2 wheels on top), and that ME in the last pic with the OSU jersey.
More later...
HAHAHA! I was going to say..."Wait a minute. That's R900 right next to him in that Ohio State jersey!":D
Wow, I can't believe we missed you, that's my SAG on the right in the first pic (with the 2 wheels on top), and that ME in the last pic with the OSU jersey.
More later...
HAHAHA! I was going to say..."Wait a minute. That's R900 right next to him in that Ohio State jersey!":D
Psimet2001
07-15-07, 12:11 PM
well 80% of the pack rode by me, so i can see how people might have been wondering about the guy with the taco'ed wheel.
i'm just pissed we were so fast and then it happened. i know i could have cut a couple hours off last year's time, and i'll be lucky if we ever get that nice of weather again.
anyway. thanks for the concern.
Were you the guy off on the left side of the road wearing a white jersey? We saw what looked like a wreck aftermath and I saw a guy in a white jersey kind of stumbling around looking dazed. There was another rider trying to help him out.
There were road scrapes across the back of the shoulders looked like on the jersey. If that was you then the deer explains it. We were just behind the main group at that point. Pretty early on.
i'm just pissed we were so fast and then it happened. i know i could have cut a couple hours off last year's time, and i'll be lucky if we ever get that nice of weather again.
anyway. thanks for the concern.
Were you the guy off on the left side of the road wearing a white jersey? We saw what looked like a wreck aftermath and I saw a guy in a white jersey kind of stumbling around looking dazed. There was another rider trying to help him out.
There were road scrapes across the back of the shoulders looked like on the jersey. If that was you then the deer explains it. We were just behind the main group at that point. Pretty early on.
JeniCincinnati
07-15-07, 01:18 PM
Why the hell do I look like such a retard in the picture with SmokinMiles? That's me in my 7 Hills kit with a dumb expression on my face.
Okay, so here's my report -
Met up with fellow BF members. Was a nice way to start the morning. Glad I took all of your advise and got there around 6. Last year, my friends and I were at the back of the start. I had brought two of my teammates and another friend. We had planned to stay together but you know how that can go...
The four of us stayed together until lunch. We caught a few pacelines but they would quickly fall apart on the rollers. Guess that's the difference between flatlanders and Cincinnatian's as even the road to my house is 15%! The four of us passed quite a few people that would jump on the back but never pull. They would leave a gap when we'd pull off the front. I even turned around and yelled "Isn't anyone else going to pull?" Lots of comments on my streamers as we motored passed others.
I was feeling great and realized I was on a sub 5 time for the centuy while at the lunch stop. A first for me. Two of our guys decided to ride at a little slower pace so it was just me and one other guy working together. Did it in 4:59:12.
The cross wind was ugly at times. I remember watching my heart rate monitor jump 20 beats as I was almost pushed backwards on the route around Indy. Who else said "F*&#" when we did that little detour after we got back on 40? That wind was brutal. But was INCREDIBLY fantastic when it was at your back.
Total time was 9:36
On bike time was 7:50
Average was 20.1
Next year I'd like to do less than 8. If I bring enough guys that will take turns pulling and NOT spend an hour and fifty minutes of the bike, it should be do-able.
Best news was that I took 3 hours and 4 minutes off of last years time! WooHoo!!
So.... who's doing the Hilly?
See you guys next year. Glad most of us came out unscathed.
Oh yeah - who was it that I talked to at the end of the ride? You yelled "Hey, Cincinnati" and we talked for a few minutes.
Jeni
Okay, so here's my report -
Met up with fellow BF members. Was a nice way to start the morning. Glad I took all of your advise and got there around 6. Last year, my friends and I were at the back of the start. I had brought two of my teammates and another friend. We had planned to stay together but you know how that can go...
The four of us stayed together until lunch. We caught a few pacelines but they would quickly fall apart on the rollers. Guess that's the difference between flatlanders and Cincinnatian's as even the road to my house is 15%! The four of us passed quite a few people that would jump on the back but never pull. They would leave a gap when we'd pull off the front. I even turned around and yelled "Isn't anyone else going to pull?" Lots of comments on my streamers as we motored passed others.
I was feeling great and realized I was on a sub 5 time for the centuy while at the lunch stop. A first for me. Two of our guys decided to ride at a little slower pace so it was just me and one other guy working together. Did it in 4:59:12.
The cross wind was ugly at times. I remember watching my heart rate monitor jump 20 beats as I was almost pushed backwards on the route around Indy. Who else said "F*&#" when we did that little detour after we got back on 40? That wind was brutal. But was INCREDIBLY fantastic when it was at your back.
Total time was 9:36
On bike time was 7:50
Average was 20.1
Next year I'd like to do less than 8. If I bring enough guys that will take turns pulling and NOT spend an hour and fifty minutes of the bike, it should be do-able.
Best news was that I took 3 hours and 4 minutes off of last years time! WooHoo!!
So.... who's doing the Hilly?
See you guys next year. Glad most of us came out unscathed.
Oh yeah - who was it that I talked to at the end of the ride? You yelled "Hey, Cincinnati" and we talked for a few minutes.
Jeni
aham23
07-15-07, 01:19 PM
ok boys, a few words of wisdom:
chipcom - sleevless and chipcom = the horror, the horror.
aham - never again attach a purse to your top tube again. never again.psimet - now that you have fancy schmancy assos bibs, you are not allowed to wear a jersey that's 2 sizes too large.
cylowe - do i have to beg? shave those pasty beanpoles.
other than that: :beer:
you are correct. it appaers i am beyond that point of needing a cycling man bag. it was holding my battery backup for my Garmin Edge 305. you see it only has 9 to 10 hours of battery life. i didnt need it. later.
chipcom - sleevless and chipcom = the horror, the horror.
aham - never again attach a purse to your top tube again. never again.psimet - now that you have fancy schmancy assos bibs, you are not allowed to wear a jersey that's 2 sizes too large.
cylowe - do i have to beg? shave those pasty beanpoles.
other than that: :beer:
you are correct. it appaers i am beyond that point of needing a cycling man bag. it was holding my battery backup for my Garmin Edge 305. you see it only has 9 to 10 hours of battery life. i didnt need it. later.
SmokinMiles
07-15-07, 01:36 PM
Nope, my feet still aren't touching the ground! I had the best ride across Indiana. I was hoping to cross the line under 10 hrs. I did WAY better. I finished in 8:38 (clock time....8:26 riding time...yes, I was only off my bike for 12 minutes and that included stops I had to make at lights) The finish line guy said I was somewhere between 5th and 7th female overall (he wasn't exactly sure) and 213 overall.
I started with the BFNIC group; it was awesome to see them all at the start plus JeniCinncinati's group. Chatted with aham and nvr as we rode off into the sunrise into a cool (58*) Indiana morning. I figured it would be a day for fast times. Right from the start, I felt good. Very rested and strong.
Rode the first 20 miles with chipcom to my hometown of Brazil where chip had already arranged to rendevous with his gorgeous wife, Cheri. Hated to leave his good company.
Caught some pacelines to the 60 mile point and rode a new best for that mileage...3 hrs. My mom and dad (SAG extraordinaire) reloaded my water and I grabbed a baked potato from them and took off. Answered some questions from out of staters about when the course was going to get flat. Indiana really isn't flat.
STarted the section around Indy that I dreaded. I hated it last year but this year I was with a group and we all shared pulling and it was pleasant all the way to the lunch stop. The hardest part about this section is that unless you're with the lead group (that I'm assuming doesn't have to stop for lights) there are a gazillion stop lights and 4 way stops and the roads don't have much shoulder and are fairly highly traveled roads.
Pulled into the lunch stop to find the BFNIC group was there (or at least shider), grabbed a pop tart and an apple and zoomed on out. Shider and I chatted awhile and he rode off. The rest of the day I watched his lime green jersey in front of me. Seems like I could always see it in the distance.
Met my parents again on Route 40 at mile 110 and I knew then that I was going to smash my 10 hr goal. I still felt reasonably good, I wasn't cramping and we had a super nice tail wind. I passed shider right after I left my parents meeting up with his SAG and then was soon caught by aham who looked so fresh and energetic. The rest of the day we went back and forth as they made stops and then recaught me as I forged on through the last 50 miles. Every time I saw them it was a hugh mental lift. :)
I rode the last 70 miles (from the lunch stop on) alone. The pacelines that passed me were too fast and the tailwind was really quite sufficient anyway.
No one has yet mentioned the lovely construction detour at Dublin where we got to ride into the wall of wind for a mile or so to rejoin 40 at Cambridge City. No fun.
I didn't stop the last 50 miles and with 5 miles to go I realized I was going to be way under 9:00 !
This is supposedly a ride, not a race, but when there's a finish line at the end where you get a time, in my mind, it's a race. I really wanted to see how well I could do among the women and overall as well.
I had good luck munching baked potatoes and drinking Ensure (these are tried and true winners for me in my long distance running as well) I feel what helped me improve the most was riding hills more (I have a 30 mile hilly route in my weekly riding )and also doing all my long rides on tired legs. I would run long the day before my century rides to simulate that dead legs feeling that one gets on this ride to learn to ride through that feeling.
This was for me a personal best at the century mark as well. With my stops my time was 5:10 as I passed the century mark so probably right around 5 hrs riding time.
It was great to see shider looking over me at the finish. I sort of got off my bike and collapsed in the grass. My dad went to get me a Coke and I really didn't know if I could walk very well. My legs were really cramping. After the Coke and some rest and a chat with aham who still looked as fresh as a daisy, I might add, I realized I was actually feeling quite good and headed to the showers.
It wasn't long till all the others started rolling in from this forum and friends from my hometown as well. The finish line folks at this ride make everyone feel like they've just accomplished something really special. It doesn't matter if you're in the lead group or come in much later. Awesome. I loved watching people finish. So many people were so overcome with emotion at what they had accomplished. :)
Got to see Psimet and CYLowe along with meeting nvr's lovely family as well.
It was great having my parents out there to cheer me on and help me accomplish this goal.
I also got to thank another SAG lady who I saw all day long (her group must have been right behind me all day) She was an awesome cheerleader and kept yelling, "honey, there are hardly any ladies in front of you!" Very sweet.
Honestly, I still can't believe how nice the day was and how lucky we got to have a lovely day in mid July in Indiana!
Congrats to everyone who completed this ride at any pace.
(Jeni, I think I saw you guys finish but didn't get a chance to talk to you. Thanks for the shout out at Plainfield as well.)
Crystal
I started with the BFNIC group; it was awesome to see them all at the start plus JeniCinncinati's group. Chatted with aham and nvr as we rode off into the sunrise into a cool (58*) Indiana morning. I figured it would be a day for fast times. Right from the start, I felt good. Very rested and strong.
Rode the first 20 miles with chipcom to my hometown of Brazil where chip had already arranged to rendevous with his gorgeous wife, Cheri. Hated to leave his good company.
Caught some pacelines to the 60 mile point and rode a new best for that mileage...3 hrs. My mom and dad (SAG extraordinaire) reloaded my water and I grabbed a baked potato from them and took off. Answered some questions from out of staters about when the course was going to get flat. Indiana really isn't flat.
STarted the section around Indy that I dreaded. I hated it last year but this year I was with a group and we all shared pulling and it was pleasant all the way to the lunch stop. The hardest part about this section is that unless you're with the lead group (that I'm assuming doesn't have to stop for lights) there are a gazillion stop lights and 4 way stops and the roads don't have much shoulder and are fairly highly traveled roads.
Pulled into the lunch stop to find the BFNIC group was there (or at least shider), grabbed a pop tart and an apple and zoomed on out. Shider and I chatted awhile and he rode off. The rest of the day I watched his lime green jersey in front of me. Seems like I could always see it in the distance.
Met my parents again on Route 40 at mile 110 and I knew then that I was going to smash my 10 hr goal. I still felt reasonably good, I wasn't cramping and we had a super nice tail wind. I passed shider right after I left my parents meeting up with his SAG and then was soon caught by aham who looked so fresh and energetic. The rest of the day we went back and forth as they made stops and then recaught me as I forged on through the last 50 miles. Every time I saw them it was a hugh mental lift. :)
I rode the last 70 miles (from the lunch stop on) alone. The pacelines that passed me were too fast and the tailwind was really quite sufficient anyway.
No one has yet mentioned the lovely construction detour at Dublin where we got to ride into the wall of wind for a mile or so to rejoin 40 at Cambridge City. No fun.
I didn't stop the last 50 miles and with 5 miles to go I realized I was going to be way under 9:00 !
This is supposedly a ride, not a race, but when there's a finish line at the end where you get a time, in my mind, it's a race. I really wanted to see how well I could do among the women and overall as well.
I had good luck munching baked potatoes and drinking Ensure (these are tried and true winners for me in my long distance running as well) I feel what helped me improve the most was riding hills more (I have a 30 mile hilly route in my weekly riding )and also doing all my long rides on tired legs. I would run long the day before my century rides to simulate that dead legs feeling that one gets on this ride to learn to ride through that feeling.
This was for me a personal best at the century mark as well. With my stops my time was 5:10 as I passed the century mark so probably right around 5 hrs riding time.
It was great to see shider looking over me at the finish. I sort of got off my bike and collapsed in the grass. My dad went to get me a Coke and I really didn't know if I could walk very well. My legs were really cramping. After the Coke and some rest and a chat with aham who still looked as fresh as a daisy, I might add, I realized I was actually feeling quite good and headed to the showers.
It wasn't long till all the others started rolling in from this forum and friends from my hometown as well. The finish line folks at this ride make everyone feel like they've just accomplished something really special. It doesn't matter if you're in the lead group or come in much later. Awesome. I loved watching people finish. So many people were so overcome with emotion at what they had accomplished. :)
Got to see Psimet and CYLowe along with meeting nvr's lovely family as well.
It was great having my parents out there to cheer me on and help me accomplish this goal.
I also got to thank another SAG lady who I saw all day long (her group must have been right behind me all day) She was an awesome cheerleader and kept yelling, "honey, there are hardly any ladies in front of you!" Very sweet.
Honestly, I still can't believe how nice the day was and how lucky we got to have a lovely day in mid July in Indiana!
Congrats to everyone who completed this ride at any pace.
(Jeni, I think I saw you guys finish but didn't get a chance to talk to you. Thanks for the shout out at Plainfield as well.)
Crystal
chipcom
07-15-07, 01:37 PM
chipcom - sleevless and chipcom = the horror, the horror.
Did you miss the shot of my socks and sandals? That pic was just for you old pal, it's a Fred Hall of Fame shot! (I took the socks off when I stopped for a pee in Brazil when I knew the temps were ok for my lil piggies...it was only 58F at the start!) ;)
I got my a Lynyrd Skynyrd jersey for Lancaster...with sleeves!
Pics and a report in a few...just got home a little while ago.
Did you miss the shot of my socks and sandals? That pic was just for you old pal, it's a Fred Hall of Fame shot! (I took the socks off when I stopped for a pee in Brazil when I knew the temps were ok for my lil piggies...it was only 58F at the start!) ;)
I got my a Lynyrd Skynyrd jersey for Lancaster...with sleeves!
Pics and a report in a few...just got home a little while ago.
aham23
07-15-07, 02:09 PM
i like RAIN. its flat, its fast, and its well run. 07 had great weather and a great BF turnout. i travelled to the ride with Psi and Cy. much props to Psimet for organizing the logistics and all that jazz. much props to CyLowe for bringing the humor.
i had a fantastic ride. it pretty much played out like i had wanted, except for a couple extra mph on my average at the end:D . we arrived earlier then last year (my first was 06) and lined our group up at the front. we could have been on the front line, but opted for about 10 rows in.
the ride starts out fast. its downhill into Terre Haute and everyone is hopped up on excitement. miles 1 to 10 were nervous for me. speeding downhill into the sunrise and cold breeze in a large group had me searching for a sweet spot in the group.
miles 10 to 20 brought some more sun and some loose legs. i jumped up from the second group we were in to the main group. this was a large group and i was just hanging on the back. shider was right behind me, then right in front of me, then GONE. at mile 20 i got a text message from my legs; "hey dummy you have 140 to go and we dont like this current pace." needless to say i drifted back. at this point i wasnt sure if this was another Sudden Century style pop at mile 20 or just better cycling judgement.
miles 40 to 60 were fun. the entire BF group and maybe 15 others were pulled by shider. he did pull off once or twice. apparently cycling machines only need to float back 2 to 3 riders, wait 30 seconds, then charge back to the front and continue pulling. at the 60 mile SAG stop our pace was around 23 mph.
miles 60 to 90 were tough for me. the legs still didnt want to respond. the riders also start to spread out at this point and we were in a smaller group. shider had continued on at his breakneck pace while Psi, Cy & I eased up a bit, but only a bit. my legs still were unresponsive. i could ride in the pack with no issue, but pulling was putting me a in spot of bother.
mile 90ish was lunch. i ate. i tinkled. i drank. and i ate. i lead us out of the lunch stop in the wrong direction. appears there was a new route out of the lunch stop. luckily, last years marking were still on the ground and some other riders made the same mistake (or they followed us :eek: ?). one of the other riders was familar with the area and along with the 2006 markings we were back on route in no time.
after lunch i was giddy, energized, and ready to roll. clearly, it was powered by oreo cookies. ten of them to be exact. i think it was around mile 105, right after Psimet blew our group up, that we parted ways. i wasnt sprinting or putting myself out. i just spun it at a comfortable pace. from 105 to 125 i rode solo and i rode it fast. the legs just did NOT want to stop and the wind was encouraging the effort.
around mile 125 i passed smokinmiles. dispite hardly stopping, she was still flying down route 40. she mentioned shider was just up ahead. i looked up and sure enough there he was in his hard to miss bright yellow jersey. i put my head down and chased after him. not the smartest thing to do, but i was oreo cookie powered!
i caught him just before the 130 SAG stop. he was hurting a bit with some calf cramps. after a quick stop, we headed out for the finish together. we rode miles 130 to 160 fairly fast as we took our turns pulling towards the finish. the decent into Richmond was downhill, fast, and fun. we spun like crazy. like we had just started the ride. (oreo cookies GOOOOD!).
the numbers from my Garmin:
Total Time = 8:32:40
Ride Time = 7:35:00
Avg MPH = 21.2
Distance = 160.44
complete edge stats HERE (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3301370)
this is a four hour improvement over last year. yes there was a tailwind, but the all knowing Garmin has it at a SSW 9 mph avg with gust of 15. i do think there was a bit more wind then that, but definetly not a four hour wind. i think everyone in our group rode faster and better then they thought they would! a great effort by all.
later.
i had a fantastic ride. it pretty much played out like i had wanted, except for a couple extra mph on my average at the end:D . we arrived earlier then last year (my first was 06) and lined our group up at the front. we could have been on the front line, but opted for about 10 rows in.
the ride starts out fast. its downhill into Terre Haute and everyone is hopped up on excitement. miles 1 to 10 were nervous for me. speeding downhill into the sunrise and cold breeze in a large group had me searching for a sweet spot in the group.
miles 10 to 20 brought some more sun and some loose legs. i jumped up from the second group we were in to the main group. this was a large group and i was just hanging on the back. shider was right behind me, then right in front of me, then GONE. at mile 20 i got a text message from my legs; "hey dummy you have 140 to go and we dont like this current pace." needless to say i drifted back. at this point i wasnt sure if this was another Sudden Century style pop at mile 20 or just better cycling judgement.
miles 40 to 60 were fun. the entire BF group and maybe 15 others were pulled by shider. he did pull off once or twice. apparently cycling machines only need to float back 2 to 3 riders, wait 30 seconds, then charge back to the front and continue pulling. at the 60 mile SAG stop our pace was around 23 mph.
miles 60 to 90 were tough for me. the legs still didnt want to respond. the riders also start to spread out at this point and we were in a smaller group. shider had continued on at his breakneck pace while Psi, Cy & I eased up a bit, but only a bit. my legs still were unresponsive. i could ride in the pack with no issue, but pulling was putting me a in spot of bother.
mile 90ish was lunch. i ate. i tinkled. i drank. and i ate. i lead us out of the lunch stop in the wrong direction. appears there was a new route out of the lunch stop. luckily, last years marking were still on the ground and some other riders made the same mistake (or they followed us :eek: ?). one of the other riders was familar with the area and along with the 2006 markings we were back on route in no time.
after lunch i was giddy, energized, and ready to roll. clearly, it was powered by oreo cookies. ten of them to be exact. i think it was around mile 105, right after Psimet blew our group up, that we parted ways. i wasnt sprinting or putting myself out. i just spun it at a comfortable pace. from 105 to 125 i rode solo and i rode it fast. the legs just did NOT want to stop and the wind was encouraging the effort.
around mile 125 i passed smokinmiles. dispite hardly stopping, she was still flying down route 40. she mentioned shider was just up ahead. i looked up and sure enough there he was in his hard to miss bright yellow jersey. i put my head down and chased after him. not the smartest thing to do, but i was oreo cookie powered!
i caught him just before the 130 SAG stop. he was hurting a bit with some calf cramps. after a quick stop, we headed out for the finish together. we rode miles 130 to 160 fairly fast as we took our turns pulling towards the finish. the decent into Richmond was downhill, fast, and fun. we spun like crazy. like we had just started the ride. (oreo cookies GOOOOD!).
the numbers from my Garmin:
Total Time = 8:32:40
Ride Time = 7:35:00
Avg MPH = 21.2
Distance = 160.44
complete edge stats HERE (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/3301370)
this is a four hour improvement over last year. yes there was a tailwind, but the all knowing Garmin has it at a SSW 9 mph avg with gust of 15. i do think there was a bit more wind then that, but definetly not a four hour wind. i think everyone in our group rode faster and better then they thought they would! a great effort by all.
later.
chipcom
07-15-07, 02:17 PM
i doubt it was for me, but it certainly was Fredelicious. :D
Guys, did I say "Take a shot of my sandals for Botto" or what? :D
Guys, did I say "Take a shot of my sandals for Botto" or what? :D
SmokinMiles
07-15-07, 02:46 PM
Jeni, Awesome ride and congrats on your new century PR! Hope to see you again on another ride...Crystal
SmokinMiles
07-15-07, 02:50 PM
this is a four hour improvement over last year. yes there was a tailwind, but the all knowing Garmin has it at a SSW 9 mph avg with gust of 15. i do think there was a bit more wind then that, but definetly not a four hour wind. i think everyone in our group rode faster and better then they thought they would! a great effort by all.
later.
What an amazing improvement! And, no, there was not THAT good of a tailwind. You and shider made it look easy. Crystal
later.
What an amazing improvement! And, no, there was not THAT good of a tailwind. You and shider made it look easy. Crystal
nvr
07-15-07, 02:59 PM
Mikeat - glad to hear you're ok, relatively speaking. My wife kept asking me if I knew what happened. I guess all the SAGs were talking about the "deer accident" all day. Here's to hoping that your heal fast, and your repairs don't kill you.
Here's my ride report:
Well, as usual, I barely made it to the start in time. I've gotten a total of five hours of sleep during the previous two days running around and getting everything ready. I didn't account for the time change and that threw me for a loop. I called Psimet2001 when I parked the car and he told me everyone was way up front so I rode up to the back of the pack, and walked in the wet grass on the side all the way up front. I finally spotted the group behind me with three minutes to spare. Thanks to Cylowe97 for taking a pic of me at the start. It's the only pic I have from the event now since my 6yo deleted EVERYTHING before I could download the pics :( All the others weren't flattering anyways, but they did capture the moment. I wish I could've saved the one with me and the finish line sign.
We started off the line with our usual 20mph warmup. It was a big crowd, but I didn't feel squished. I was just trying to make my way up the left to keep with our group. I'd say we were going anywhere between 20-25mph through Terre Haute and on to the first rest stop. We had a great paceline going, with others jumping on and off. I told my wife to park down the road from the rest stops because I read that they could get really crowded and waste time. Maybe if I was in one of the back groups this would be true, but jumping off the front like we did, it wasn't neccessary. I know better for next year. I met the SAG down the road when a few minutes later the BF guys called out to me, I told them that I'd catch up, but I never did. Psimet2001 yelled out to me as I pulled into rest stop 2. At this point, my comp showed 65 miles with a 23mph avg. Big wow for me, I never would have expected to be doing so good. Like a dumb*****, I told my SAG to park up the hill. This turned out to be a very bad decision...It was out of view from the rest stop, wasn't along the route, and by the time I figured out what I've done it was too late. The group left and I was stuck by myself. Oh well, hello ipod. I tried joining a few pacelines that I caught up to, but they were going a little too slow for me. One group started going by and I jumped onto the back. They weren't in coordinated team kits and I yelled out if they minded if I rotated the line with them, and they actually told me it wasn't a good idea. Uh, ok then. I joined another big group as they passed, and finally made my way to the front to take my pull. That was a fun group, we were hauling between 23-26mph. I could see that the girl behind me was starting to leave a gap so I signaled that I was pulling off the front. I hung on the back again until I decided I wanted to go a little faster. I continued on my merry way wondering if I should be conserving a little energy. Nah, it's all or nothing! Made it to the 90mi lunch stop, avg speed 22.7. Killed 45 min there to placate my wife who just wanted me to rest and relax. Psimet2001-didn't I say marriages were full of compromises? As I left the parking lot, I saw some guys from my Sunday group ride show up. Yelled out some greetings to each other, and I was on my merry own way again. Hit some nasty crosswinds, but hooked up with another riding partner and rode through them together for the next 15 miles or so. My left leg was starting to cramp up behind the knee and I was starting to slow down a little and bid him good luck with the rest of his ride. I came up to a woman on a flat bar roadie cruising right along not too long after and we kept each other company until the final rest stop. My leg cramps were getting really bad, and I feared I would wuss out and not finish the ride. I kept telling myself that I HAVE to finish this. The hills in Richmond just killed what was left of my legs. The last five miles were utter torture. I was either pedaling with just my right foot clipped in, standing up to pedal, or coasting down the hills. I stopped 2 miles short of the finish and massaged my calfs. I have to finish. I have to finish. I have to finish. I rode the tiny .5% uphill to the final turn standing up, going 10mph and crossed the finish line to the smiles and happy cheers of my family. This was my biggest ride accomplishment to date and it felt GREAT to have made it. I can honestly say that I gave it my all. I had nothing left, I could barely walk with them to the car. SmokinMiles did spot me in the parking lot and came over for a chat. Congrats to her for her AWESOME time...I'll let her tell you the story, I won't spoil it. Congrats to all you guys , it's a long tough ride and your times are really great! I'm proud to be a part of this.
Final stats:
160.23 miles
8:03 ride time
19.9 mph avg
I think the total time was around 10:15....damn I guess they WERE long stops.
Lessons learned.....
SAG parks at rest stops with something distinct to quickly identify
Keep stops minimal, short and quick...I felt fine, and all I did was waste time
Keep my copy of map with ME
It was a learning experience for both me and my wife. We both plan on improving time and efficiency next year. I'm shooting for under 9 total time next year.
Here's my ride report:
Well, as usual, I barely made it to the start in time. I've gotten a total of five hours of sleep during the previous two days running around and getting everything ready. I didn't account for the time change and that threw me for a loop. I called Psimet2001 when I parked the car and he told me everyone was way up front so I rode up to the back of the pack, and walked in the wet grass on the side all the way up front. I finally spotted the group behind me with three minutes to spare. Thanks to Cylowe97 for taking a pic of me at the start. It's the only pic I have from the event now since my 6yo deleted EVERYTHING before I could download the pics :( All the others weren't flattering anyways, but they did capture the moment. I wish I could've saved the one with me and the finish line sign.
We started off the line with our usual 20mph warmup. It was a big crowd, but I didn't feel squished. I was just trying to make my way up the left to keep with our group. I'd say we were going anywhere between 20-25mph through Terre Haute and on to the first rest stop. We had a great paceline going, with others jumping on and off. I told my wife to park down the road from the rest stops because I read that they could get really crowded and waste time. Maybe if I was in one of the back groups this would be true, but jumping off the front like we did, it wasn't neccessary. I know better for next year. I met the SAG down the road when a few minutes later the BF guys called out to me, I told them that I'd catch up, but I never did. Psimet2001 yelled out to me as I pulled into rest stop 2. At this point, my comp showed 65 miles with a 23mph avg. Big wow for me, I never would have expected to be doing so good. Like a dumb*****, I told my SAG to park up the hill. This turned out to be a very bad decision...It was out of view from the rest stop, wasn't along the route, and by the time I figured out what I've done it was too late. The group left and I was stuck by myself. Oh well, hello ipod. I tried joining a few pacelines that I caught up to, but they were going a little too slow for me. One group started going by and I jumped onto the back. They weren't in coordinated team kits and I yelled out if they minded if I rotated the line with them, and they actually told me it wasn't a good idea. Uh, ok then. I joined another big group as they passed, and finally made my way to the front to take my pull. That was a fun group, we were hauling between 23-26mph. I could see that the girl behind me was starting to leave a gap so I signaled that I was pulling off the front. I hung on the back again until I decided I wanted to go a little faster. I continued on my merry way wondering if I should be conserving a little energy. Nah, it's all or nothing! Made it to the 90mi lunch stop, avg speed 22.7. Killed 45 min there to placate my wife who just wanted me to rest and relax. Psimet2001-didn't I say marriages were full of compromises? As I left the parking lot, I saw some guys from my Sunday group ride show up. Yelled out some greetings to each other, and I was on my merry own way again. Hit some nasty crosswinds, but hooked up with another riding partner and rode through them together for the next 15 miles or so. My left leg was starting to cramp up behind the knee and I was starting to slow down a little and bid him good luck with the rest of his ride. I came up to a woman on a flat bar roadie cruising right along not too long after and we kept each other company until the final rest stop. My leg cramps were getting really bad, and I feared I would wuss out and not finish the ride. I kept telling myself that I HAVE to finish this. The hills in Richmond just killed what was left of my legs. The last five miles were utter torture. I was either pedaling with just my right foot clipped in, standing up to pedal, or coasting down the hills. I stopped 2 miles short of the finish and massaged my calfs. I have to finish. I have to finish. I have to finish. I rode the tiny .5% uphill to the final turn standing up, going 10mph and crossed the finish line to the smiles and happy cheers of my family. This was my biggest ride accomplishment to date and it felt GREAT to have made it. I can honestly say that I gave it my all. I had nothing left, I could barely walk with them to the car. SmokinMiles did spot me in the parking lot and came over for a chat. Congrats to her for her AWESOME time...I'll let her tell you the story, I won't spoil it. Congrats to all you guys , it's a long tough ride and your times are really great! I'm proud to be a part of this.
Final stats:
160.23 miles
8:03 ride time
19.9 mph avg
I think the total time was around 10:15....damn I guess they WERE long stops.
Lessons learned.....
SAG parks at rest stops with something distinct to quickly identify
Keep stops minimal, short and quick...I felt fine, and all I did was waste time
Keep my copy of map with ME
It was a learning experience for both me and my wife. We both plan on improving time and efficiency next year. I'm shooting for under 9 total time next year.
SmokinMiles
07-15-07, 03:03 PM
Um...nvr...you are going to smash that 9 hr goal next year. Just a matter of handling the logistics.
Your wife and daughter are both so lovely! They looked so happy and proud of you :love: Glad I got to meet them and see you at the finish.
Congrats...Crystal
Your wife and daughter are both so lovely! They looked so happy and proud of you :love: Glad I got to meet them and see you at the finish.
Congrats...Crystal
R900
07-15-07, 03:06 PM
Wow, great reports. I only regret was not hooking up with more BF’ers, we had about 25+ from Richmond, so just keeping track of those guys was tough.
It’s was my first, and very pleased. Ate dinner at TumbleWeed and had a great baked potato. We stayed at the Drury, it was nice with lots of activity. Got ready for bed around 10. About 10:30 one of my buddies called, he forgot his shorts and jersey, luckily my over planning meant I had extras. So fell asleep shortly after 11. Awake at 2 am – WTF, stayed in bed until about 4’ish, and when down to the car for some pre-ride time wasting.
Had some eggs and a little Rice Chex at the Drury, and arrived at the start line about 6. Saw Chipcom first, but didn’t chat much, to stressed I guess. Stayed fairly close to the front, but got cut off and almost had to stop while we were getting up to speed. I must have been passed my 100+ riders. Saw the guy in the white shirt go down, he was off to my left a couple riders over, I heard something break, so I think he must have snapped a collar bone. I hung on to the mass and stayed with the police escort through down. The speed and large group just sucked you along, unfortunately the hills always get me so it made it hard to stay with the faster paceline. I started to fall back, but hung on until the first stop.
I don’t know if it was lack of sleep or what, but never felt that great in the morning, everyone kept asking if I was ok, given my pained expression. My stomach was a little upset, as I had left my Hammer gel at home, so was using some Carb Boom that didn’t seem to settle. My wife was an awesome SAG, we froze about 10 water bottles before leaving, so they were perfect to swap for cool water at each stop.
As lunch approached I still wasn’t feeling that good, so decided I would lay down for 20 minutes, well Kim had a baked potato waiting, so that with a PB sandwich, I felt better and took off. That must have done it because I felt stronger as the day wore on and started having a blast.
We added a couple extra stops, one when you got back on 40, and another at the Marathon station just east of Cambridge City. At the last stop I took one last bottle and dumped everything else. I know the route well so felt great, one hill pass Cambridge and home free. I felt strong, cruising along at 25+ sometimes without a paceline. As we approached Earlham, some recumbent went flying by, I thought hey this is my town, and “droped the hamer” hit 30 on the hill leading up the campus, but left the bent – bent.
I finished in 9:15 and was rider 300. I was off the bike for 60 minutes, and had an average speed of 19.5 mph. The tailwind was amazing.
Great event, had a blast, my wife was amazing, and I loved seeing my kids at the end.
I’ll post of pics later…
It’s was my first, and very pleased. Ate dinner at TumbleWeed and had a great baked potato. We stayed at the Drury, it was nice with lots of activity. Got ready for bed around 10. About 10:30 one of my buddies called, he forgot his shorts and jersey, luckily my over planning meant I had extras. So fell asleep shortly after 11. Awake at 2 am – WTF, stayed in bed until about 4’ish, and when down to the car for some pre-ride time wasting.
Had some eggs and a little Rice Chex at the Drury, and arrived at the start line about 6. Saw Chipcom first, but didn’t chat much, to stressed I guess. Stayed fairly close to the front, but got cut off and almost had to stop while we were getting up to speed. I must have been passed my 100+ riders. Saw the guy in the white shirt go down, he was off to my left a couple riders over, I heard something break, so I think he must have snapped a collar bone. I hung on to the mass and stayed with the police escort through down. The speed and large group just sucked you along, unfortunately the hills always get me so it made it hard to stay with the faster paceline. I started to fall back, but hung on until the first stop.
I don’t know if it was lack of sleep or what, but never felt that great in the morning, everyone kept asking if I was ok, given my pained expression. My stomach was a little upset, as I had left my Hammer gel at home, so was using some Carb Boom that didn’t seem to settle. My wife was an awesome SAG, we froze about 10 water bottles before leaving, so they were perfect to swap for cool water at each stop.
As lunch approached I still wasn’t feeling that good, so decided I would lay down for 20 minutes, well Kim had a baked potato waiting, so that with a PB sandwich, I felt better and took off. That must have done it because I felt stronger as the day wore on and started having a blast.
We added a couple extra stops, one when you got back on 40, and another at the Marathon station just east of Cambridge City. At the last stop I took one last bottle and dumped everything else. I know the route well so felt great, one hill pass Cambridge and home free. I felt strong, cruising along at 25+ sometimes without a paceline. As we approached Earlham, some recumbent went flying by, I thought hey this is my town, and “droped the hamer” hit 30 on the hill leading up the campus, but left the bent – bent.
I finished in 9:15 and was rider 300. I was off the bike for 60 minutes, and had an average speed of 19.5 mph. The tailwind was amazing.
Great event, had a blast, my wife was amazing, and I loved seeing my kids at the end.
I’ll post of pics later…
chipcom
07-15-07, 03:12 PM
OK, here's my ride report, also titled "Why there is no chivalry in cycling".
I pulled a bonehead move first thing and forgot my two water bottles sitting in the freezer at the hotel. No biggie, I had a spare and asked Cheri go back and get them after we got started, then meet me in Brazil (about mile 25 or so), rather than at the first feed stop.
I had on the sleeveless jersey I ordered...but now I see why you guys don't like sleeveless. I love my sleeveless shirts, but they are looser and have a LOT more room under the pits. This thing was tight and I didn't have all that empty space in the pits to let the air flow. So Botto was correct (he always is, cept when he aint'). I put some socks on at the last minute...my feet were feeling kind of cold as I was taking the bike for a little ride before the start, figured they'd get colder at 20mph. Usually 65 is my benchmark for wearing socks with sandals...it was 58. I prolly should have worn my leg warmers, but my legs felt fine after the first 5 miles or so.
http://www.chipcom.net/bikes/rain07/dan_cheri.jpg
I met up with some of our non-Fred BFers at the start. Here's a shot of Aham23, Psimet2001 and some old fat jarhead. (I was skinnier by the finish :eek:) JeniCincinatti is there too...you can see her hand, arm and gorgeous legs at the far left, cut off...that's what happens when you let your wife take a pic, the cute gals get cut out of the shot.
http://www.chipcom.net/bikes/rain07/bf_start.jpg
The start was a piece of cake...cept for all the folks that seem to have a problem holding a line while fumbling around getting clipped in. Pretty bad when an old fat fred like me has to holler "hold you line, dambit!". I managed to stay near the back of the rest of the BFers for a bit, but then lost them in traffic. As I was trying to keep them in sight to plan a way to bridge back, a sweet voice said 'Hi Chip". There was SmokinMiles, pretty as the morning, coming up next to me. We rode together for a while, but everytime I'd hang on the back of a group I'd look back to see her dropping off. So I'd slow down so she could bridge back up and wait for the next group to go my. I didn't mind, I figured it was probably a good thing not to go hammering too hard right off the bat and end up a bonked bowl of jello by noon. She told me it was OK to go ahead, because she 'knew her limitations', but being the chivalrous jarhead I am I just told her 'Nobody gets left behind'. So we rode and chatted for awhile until we got into Brazil, where Cheri was waiting with my missing water bottles. Turns out SmokinMiles grew up there and knew exactly where we were meeting. She bade me farewell as I pulled into the BP lot and told me I'd probably catch back up to her soon. HA, famous last words - I didn't see her again until I crossed the finish line. That girl might not be fast, but she's like the energizer bunny, she keeps riding, and riding and riding! :D It was great meeting you girlfriend...enjoyed being able to hang with you, since the guys dropped me like a bad headache!
It was a good thing I took it easy for that first 25 miles...because I was pretty much solo for the rest of the ride. Cheri waited for me at the first feed stop and Plainview, then I sent her on ahead to Greenfield, rather than have her try to meet me at the lunch stop, which I planned on bypassing. I managed to latch on to a couple of groups, but here's the funny thing...everytime we'd hit a hill I'd end up dropping them! Don't you Indiana folks do much climbing? I mean geeze, for a fat old dude like me to be dropping young skinny roadies on them little inclines is just wrong! :p ;) There was one rider who was doing about the same pace as I, and between the two of us we made good time into Plainfield, picking up and dropping small groups in the process.
When I got into Plainfield (about mile 66) and looked at my computer I was flabbergasted...I was doing a 21mph average speed, even after taking it fairly easy for the first 25! I can't take credit...that tailwind was great! Cheri met me at the little store in Plainfield that SmokinMiles mentioned, and I took the opportunity to eat some, since I planned on bypassing the lunch stop, then I sent Cheri ahead to Greenfield.
http://www.chipcom.net/bikes/rain07/rearview.jpg
I picked up that same rider out of Plainfield to the lunch stop, trying to make up for all the darn stops we had to make, so by the time I got to the lunch stop I changed my mind and stopped for a quick banana and a refill of my bottles. From there to Greenfield (and to the finish) I was solo, all the groups I caught were too slow and I didn't feel like hammering to keep up with those that passed me. As I passed 100 miles I saw that my average speed had dropped to around 19, but my ride time was 5:15...about 15 minutes faster than the one I had done a couple of weekends ago. Kewl. But I could feel that I was needing a break and was happy to get into Greenfield at about mile 110, where Cheri met me in a little park with some fresh fruit for lunch. That break put some life back into me and I set off for the finish knowing I'd make it. Just 50 miles to go...same as a commute to work and back...no problem!
http://www.chipcom.net/bikes/rain07/front_view.jpg
The last 50 miles was completely solo, but the tailwind was my friend...until I hit that detour in Dublin. When I made the turn the headwind hit me in the face like a brick wall and it was all I could do to keep a 14-15mph pace. That couple of miles seemed to take forever and I was so glad when I finally made the turn and had the wind back on my side. The rest of the ride was cake...even those loooong gradual hills where everyone else seemed to slow to a crawl. I caught a lot of people on those hills. Then finally I crossed the line....YAY...
Total time: 10 hours, or a minute or two less...it was 5:01pm when I remembered to check the time a couple minutes after I finished. I'll see what they gave me when they publish the results.
Distance: 160.05 miles
Average speed: 19.0 mph
Total ride time: 8:25
http://www.chipcom.net/bikes/rain07/finish1.jpg
It was great meeting you all...and it was a great ride. Maybe I'll do it again next year. :)
I pulled a bonehead move first thing and forgot my two water bottles sitting in the freezer at the hotel. No biggie, I had a spare and asked Cheri go back and get them after we got started, then meet me in Brazil (about mile 25 or so), rather than at the first feed stop.
I had on the sleeveless jersey I ordered...but now I see why you guys don't like sleeveless. I love my sleeveless shirts, but they are looser and have a LOT more room under the pits. This thing was tight and I didn't have all that empty space in the pits to let the air flow. So Botto was correct (he always is, cept when he aint'). I put some socks on at the last minute...my feet were feeling kind of cold as I was taking the bike for a little ride before the start, figured they'd get colder at 20mph. Usually 65 is my benchmark for wearing socks with sandals...it was 58. I prolly should have worn my leg warmers, but my legs felt fine after the first 5 miles or so.
http://www.chipcom.net/bikes/rain07/dan_cheri.jpg
I met up with some of our non-Fred BFers at the start. Here's a shot of Aham23, Psimet2001 and some old fat jarhead. (I was skinnier by the finish :eek:) JeniCincinatti is there too...you can see her hand, arm and gorgeous legs at the far left, cut off...that's what happens when you let your wife take a pic, the cute gals get cut out of the shot.
http://www.chipcom.net/bikes/rain07/bf_start.jpg
The start was a piece of cake...cept for all the folks that seem to have a problem holding a line while fumbling around getting clipped in. Pretty bad when an old fat fred like me has to holler "hold you line, dambit!". I managed to stay near the back of the rest of the BFers for a bit, but then lost them in traffic. As I was trying to keep them in sight to plan a way to bridge back, a sweet voice said 'Hi Chip". There was SmokinMiles, pretty as the morning, coming up next to me. We rode together for a while, but everytime I'd hang on the back of a group I'd look back to see her dropping off. So I'd slow down so she could bridge back up and wait for the next group to go my. I didn't mind, I figured it was probably a good thing not to go hammering too hard right off the bat and end up a bonked bowl of jello by noon. She told me it was OK to go ahead, because she 'knew her limitations', but being the chivalrous jarhead I am I just told her 'Nobody gets left behind'. So we rode and chatted for awhile until we got into Brazil, where Cheri was waiting with my missing water bottles. Turns out SmokinMiles grew up there and knew exactly where we were meeting. She bade me farewell as I pulled into the BP lot and told me I'd probably catch back up to her soon. HA, famous last words - I didn't see her again until I crossed the finish line. That girl might not be fast, but she's like the energizer bunny, she keeps riding, and riding and riding! :D It was great meeting you girlfriend...enjoyed being able to hang with you, since the guys dropped me like a bad headache!
It was a good thing I took it easy for that first 25 miles...because I was pretty much solo for the rest of the ride. Cheri waited for me at the first feed stop and Plainview, then I sent her on ahead to Greenfield, rather than have her try to meet me at the lunch stop, which I planned on bypassing. I managed to latch on to a couple of groups, but here's the funny thing...everytime we'd hit a hill I'd end up dropping them! Don't you Indiana folks do much climbing? I mean geeze, for a fat old dude like me to be dropping young skinny roadies on them little inclines is just wrong! :p ;) There was one rider who was doing about the same pace as I, and between the two of us we made good time into Plainfield, picking up and dropping small groups in the process.
When I got into Plainfield (about mile 66) and looked at my computer I was flabbergasted...I was doing a 21mph average speed, even after taking it fairly easy for the first 25! I can't take credit...that tailwind was great! Cheri met me at the little store in Plainfield that SmokinMiles mentioned, and I took the opportunity to eat some, since I planned on bypassing the lunch stop, then I sent Cheri ahead to Greenfield.
http://www.chipcom.net/bikes/rain07/rearview.jpg
I picked up that same rider out of Plainfield to the lunch stop, trying to make up for all the darn stops we had to make, so by the time I got to the lunch stop I changed my mind and stopped for a quick banana and a refill of my bottles. From there to Greenfield (and to the finish) I was solo, all the groups I caught were too slow and I didn't feel like hammering to keep up with those that passed me. As I passed 100 miles I saw that my average speed had dropped to around 19, but my ride time was 5:15...about 15 minutes faster than the one I had done a couple of weekends ago. Kewl. But I could feel that I was needing a break and was happy to get into Greenfield at about mile 110, where Cheri met me in a little park with some fresh fruit for lunch. That break put some life back into me and I set off for the finish knowing I'd make it. Just 50 miles to go...same as a commute to work and back...no problem!
http://www.chipcom.net/bikes/rain07/front_view.jpg
The last 50 miles was completely solo, but the tailwind was my friend...until I hit that detour in Dublin. When I made the turn the headwind hit me in the face like a brick wall and it was all I could do to keep a 14-15mph pace. That couple of miles seemed to take forever and I was so glad when I finally made the turn and had the wind back on my side. The rest of the ride was cake...even those loooong gradual hills where everyone else seemed to slow to a crawl. I caught a lot of people on those hills. Then finally I crossed the line....YAY...
Total time: 10 hours, or a minute or two less...it was 5:01pm when I remembered to check the time a couple minutes after I finished. I'll see what they gave me when they publish the results.
Distance: 160.05 miles
Average speed: 19.0 mph
Total ride time: 8:25
http://www.chipcom.net/bikes/rain07/finish1.jpg
It was great meeting you all...and it was a great ride. Maybe I'll do it again next year. :)
SmokinMiles
07-15-07, 03:22 PM
mikeat,
So glad you're ok and I absolutely understand your disappointment. It was a gorgeous day but, man, have you ever got a story for the grandkids!
So glad you're ok and I absolutely understand your disappointment. It was a gorgeous day but, man, have you ever got a story for the grandkids!
Dewbert
07-15-07, 03:36 PM
Well, folks, here's my brief ride report. This was my 2nd rain ride and I was woefully under-trained. I went into it with the idea that if I made it to Plainfield, I'd be about 8 miles from home and could get a nap in while everyone else was pedaling to Richmond. However, when I got there, I was feeling pretty good and managed to make the rest of the ride. I actually felt pretty good until about mile 125 or so, then I started playing those mind games that we all know and love. I sucked down a gel and some water and before long, the legs stopped burning and the tailwind (blessed tailwind) picked up a little and I sort of just cruised on into Richmond. Last year I did the ride in about 12:20. This year I came in just under 11:00 actual time and 9:09 on the computer (too much time at the SAGS methinks!). I averaged about 18mph and feel pretty good. Makes me glad I lost the 100 pounds so that I can enjoy rides like this.
Here are a couple of shots of my riding buddy and me. Chipcom, didn't we ride together for a while? I sort of recall a conversation about us being socially acceptable wheel suckers! :D
Before the ride (I'm on the left):
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u128/dewbertpix/gettingstarted.jpg
Loafing at lunch (I'm GLAD my wife brought the chair!):
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u128/dewbertpix/lunchstop.jpg
Here are a couple of shots of my riding buddy and me. Chipcom, didn't we ride together for a while? I sort of recall a conversation about us being socially acceptable wheel suckers! :D
Before the ride (I'm on the left):
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u128/dewbertpix/gettingstarted.jpg
Loafing at lunch (I'm GLAD my wife brought the chair!):
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u128/dewbertpix/lunchstop.jpg
DXchulo
07-15-07, 04:35 PM
Great Ride!
Wow, I can't believe we missed you, that's my SAG on the right in the first pic (with the 2 wheels on top), and that ME in the last pic with the OSU jersey.
More later...
That's crazy. The first picture was taken right next to my car.
It's too bad I didn't meet up with any of you guys. Sounds like most of you had a great time.
Wow, I can't believe we missed you, that's my SAG on the right in the first pic (with the 2 wheels on top), and that ME in the last pic with the OSU jersey.
More later...
That's crazy. The first picture was taken right next to my car.
It's too bad I didn't meet up with any of you guys. Sounds like most of you had a great time.
PacersGuy
07-15-07, 04:48 PM
Oh yeah - who was it that I talked to at the end of the ride? You yelled "Hey, Cincinnati" and we talked for a few minutes.
Jeni
that was ME!
it was good to see some faces/jerseys i recognized and take a minute to chat with everyone. :)
like many others - i was really grateful for the tailwind. also, glad i started up front and rode as hard as i could for the first 100. i had a couple of really fast groups to work with and it paid off in the end. smoked last year's time by over 3 hours.
total time: 8:03 (well under goal)
riding time 7:24
avg speed 21.5
not doing the hilly this year (probably)
headed down to louisville next weekend for a hilly 140, with about 10K of climbing. that should be a challenging day.
steve
Jeni
that was ME!
it was good to see some faces/jerseys i recognized and take a minute to chat with everyone. :)
like many others - i was really grateful for the tailwind. also, glad i started up front and rode as hard as i could for the first 100. i had a couple of really fast groups to work with and it paid off in the end. smoked last year's time by over 3 hours.
total time: 8:03 (well under goal)
riding time 7:24
avg speed 21.5
not doing the hilly this year (probably)
headed down to louisville next weekend for a hilly 140, with about 10K of climbing. that should be a challenging day.
steve
SmokinMiles
07-15-07, 05:43 PM
[QUOTE=chipcom]
I managed to stay near the back of the rest of the BFers for a bit, but then lost them in traffic. As I was trying to keep them in sight to plan a way to bridge back, a sweet voice said 'Hi Chip". There was SmokinMiles, pretty as the morning, coming up next to me. We rode together for a while, but everytime I'd hang on the back of a group I'd look back to see her dropping off. So I'd slow down so she could bridge back up and wait for the next group to go my. I didn't mind, I figured it was probably a good thing not to go hammering too hard right off the bat and end up a bonked bowl of jello by noon. She told me it was OK to go ahead, because she 'knew her limitations', but being the chivalrous jarhead I am I just told her 'Nobody gets left behind'. So we rode and chatted for awhile until we got into Brazil, where Cheri was waiting with my missing water bottles. Turns out SmokinMiles grew up there and knew exactly where we were meeting. She bade me farewell as I pulled into the BP lot and told me I'd probably catch back up to her soon. HA, famous last words - I didn't see her again until I crossed the finish line. That girl might not be fast, but she's like the energizer bunny, she keeps riding, and riding and riding! :D It was great meeting you girlfriend...enjoyed being able to hang with you, since the guys dropped me like a bad headache!
QUOTE]
Ah, yes, chivalry....you have revealed what I was not going to! That you are such a sweetie. I wasn't going to mention it too overtly as to not ruin your badarse reputation around here! :D I'm glad Cheri had a good day sagging. I should have mentioned when I told you "I know my limitations" that I also know my strengths....that when others need rest, I can keep plowing on. Endurance, alas, is my strength. :D Tell Cheri I'll join her sagging next year. I can show her more great spots across Indiana. I'm not riding RAIN again.
Also, "So Botto was correct (he always is, cept when he aint')." This made me spew iced white rasperry tea all over my monitor. Too funny.
It was great getting to know you. Hope to see you and Cheri at another ride. Crystal
I managed to stay near the back of the rest of the BFers for a bit, but then lost them in traffic. As I was trying to keep them in sight to plan a way to bridge back, a sweet voice said 'Hi Chip". There was SmokinMiles, pretty as the morning, coming up next to me. We rode together for a while, but everytime I'd hang on the back of a group I'd look back to see her dropping off. So I'd slow down so she could bridge back up and wait for the next group to go my. I didn't mind, I figured it was probably a good thing not to go hammering too hard right off the bat and end up a bonked bowl of jello by noon. She told me it was OK to go ahead, because she 'knew her limitations', but being the chivalrous jarhead I am I just told her 'Nobody gets left behind'. So we rode and chatted for awhile until we got into Brazil, where Cheri was waiting with my missing water bottles. Turns out SmokinMiles grew up there and knew exactly where we were meeting. She bade me farewell as I pulled into the BP lot and told me I'd probably catch back up to her soon. HA, famous last words - I didn't see her again until I crossed the finish line. That girl might not be fast, but she's like the energizer bunny, she keeps riding, and riding and riding! :D It was great meeting you girlfriend...enjoyed being able to hang with you, since the guys dropped me like a bad headache!
QUOTE]
Ah, yes, chivalry....you have revealed what I was not going to! That you are such a sweetie. I wasn't going to mention it too overtly as to not ruin your badarse reputation around here! :D I'm glad Cheri had a good day sagging. I should have mentioned when I told you "I know my limitations" that I also know my strengths....that when others need rest, I can keep plowing on. Endurance, alas, is my strength. :D Tell Cheri I'll join her sagging next year. I can show her more great spots across Indiana. I'm not riding RAIN again.
Also, "So Botto was correct (he always is, cept when he aint')." This made me spew iced white rasperry tea all over my monitor. Too funny.
It was great getting to know you. Hope to see you and Cheri at another ride. Crystal
R900
07-15-07, 05:46 PM
Here are a few of my pics:
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN1.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN2.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN3.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN4.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN5.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN6.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN7.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN8.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN9.jpg
So what's the plan for next year...
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN1.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN2.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN3.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN4.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN5.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN6.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN7.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN8.jpg
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN9.jpg
So what's the plan for next year...
R900
07-15-07, 06:18 PM
Garmin Stats:
Distance: 159.79 mi
Elapsed Time: 8:10:45
Avg Pace: 3.04/mi
Avg Speed: 19.5 mph
Max Speed: 38.0 mph
Calories: 12,016 cal
Avg Heartrate: 145 bpm
Max Heartrate: 177 bpm
Avg Cadence: 78 rpm
Ascent: 4,134 ft
Distance: 159.79 mi
Elapsed Time: 8:10:45
Avg Pace: 3.04/mi
Avg Speed: 19.5 mph
Max Speed: 38.0 mph
Calories: 12,016 cal
Avg Heartrate: 145 bpm
Max Heartrate: 177 bpm
Avg Cadence: 78 rpm
Ascent: 4,134 ft
PAlt
07-15-07, 06:23 PM
Smokinmiles,
Think I passed you 3 times on the post-lunch stop section on 40. Was the guy in the A4+ jersey on Litespeed Tuscany who said "You're forcing me to pass you again";) . Great ride, you were looking good!
Think I passed you 3 times on the post-lunch stop section on 40. Was the guy in the A4+ jersey on Litespeed Tuscany who said "You're forcing me to pass you again";) . Great ride, you were looking good!
matthew_deaner
07-15-07, 06:24 PM
This was my first RAIN. Here is my ride report… unfortunately, I don’t have any pix, so it might be a bit boring.
A friend (Keith) and I rode in from Bloomington to Terre Haute on Friday morning, and stayed at the Econolodge (right by the Drury Inn where seemingly every one else stayed, but much cheaper). We arrived early to volunteer at the RAIN registration; we’re both members of the Bloomington Bicycle Club, who organizes the event. We worked the 1:00-5:00 volunteer shift and had dinner at the Coffee Cup family restaurant near the motel. It was cheap and good. I went to bed early at about 8:45 because I had a persistent summer cold, and the ride in from Bloomington had me tired out.
Keith and I woke up at 5:00 and had breakfast at the hotel. I employed my usual pre-ride breakfast strategy of eating all I could hold… ended up having two waffles, a bowl of cereal, two muffins, and a cereal bar. The hotel didn’t have any fruit which was sort of a bummer.
We left the hotel at 6:15 and rode about 8-miles to the start of the ride. I took up a position near the front of the pack, since I expected to remain with the lead group for as long as I could.
I did not have sag support, and did not plan to stop except to pee, so I packed all my food with me. I took a bunch of hammer gel and clif bars, and packed four water bottles. I knew going into this ride without vehicular support would keep me from staying with the lead pack for the duration of the ride… after all, four bottles of water wouldn’t last me for 7-hours, and I would lose the pack when I stopped to refill… but I thought I would make the best of it and hang with the lead group until short on water. My riding buddy, Keith, was in a similar situation, and packed a ton of food in a Bob the Builder backpack that he strapped onto his rack. It was an amusing sight.
The beginning of the ride was uneventful, except I thought I heard an accident from further back in the pack shortly into the ride. I was glad that I had picked a starting position towards the front of the pack because, with the police escort, there was no need to stop for the traffic lights and it was easy to negotiate a position towards the very front of the pack for when the police car peeled off and turned us loose on highway 40. Once the police escort departed, I took my place among a huge lead group that took up an entire lane on 40. Some riders rode in the second lane, blocking traffic. It was unfortunate to see this behavior, I believe that too much of that could mean the end of RAIN some time in the future, and in the very least, it gives cyclists a bad name. Cars were driving in the grass to pass the group… it was a crazy situation.
Anyway, the lead group set a reasonable pace of 25-30, but the group kept surging and it was hard to keep a constant speed. There were no pacelines. I was feeling good in spite of my cold. The cool temperatures reduced my water consumption, so I thought that I could hang with the lead group until the lunch stop before needing to refill.
Once we got to Plainfield, the route departed US40 and became a bit confusing. The lead group ran stoplights when they could. At one point, the lead group missed a detour and actually cut almost a mile off the route. So nearly all the top times in RAIN are, to some extent, illegitimate. I feel bad that I missed this road marking… but in a big pack like that it’s hard to see the Dan Henrys.
This is something that was new to me… if the group stopped, folks would just whip it out and go to the bathroom right in the road. There was a girl of 12-13 on the back of a tandem that really got an eyeful! I rode through some guy’s steamy puddle about 30-miles east of Plainfield… it was gross.
Since this was my first rain, I really didn’t know where the lunch stop was, and I missed it. I didn’t realize that I had gone by it until the group was east of Indy. This was disastrous for me, since I was out of water and 35-miles from the next stop. I grimly decided to stay with the main group for as long as I could. As the group got back on US40, at about mile 110, the pace quickened, and folks started getting dropped. I was feeling the effects of dehydration, and wasn’t up to staying at a pace of 25+. I got shelled at mile 118. I continued to ride on, and was counting the miles before the next rest stop, which was at mile 130. At about mile 122, my pace slowed to about 18mph and I guess I looked like death. A rider from Team Bolla gave me some water from his sag… I wish I had gotten the guy’s name… I owe him big time. I felt a little better after the water and my pace slowly improved. At mile 130, I loaded up on Gatorade at the last rest stop. Before I knew it, I had drank three waterbottles of Gatorade in 10-miles. I obviously overdid it, and I got a wicked stomachache and my headache got worse.
At about mile 145, I ran into RAAM rider Dave Tanner. He let me tag along behind his back wheel all the way to the finish. The post-ride food was perfect… there was PBJ and lots of cookies and high-carb stuff there. They even had showers.
Final stats:
Ride Time: 6:53:48
Total Time: 6:59
Avg. Speed: 23.1
Distance: 159.02 (Remember, the lead group missed a detour that would have added almost a mile to the route)
A friend (Keith) and I rode in from Bloomington to Terre Haute on Friday morning, and stayed at the Econolodge (right by the Drury Inn where seemingly every one else stayed, but much cheaper). We arrived early to volunteer at the RAIN registration; we’re both members of the Bloomington Bicycle Club, who organizes the event. We worked the 1:00-5:00 volunteer shift and had dinner at the Coffee Cup family restaurant near the motel. It was cheap and good. I went to bed early at about 8:45 because I had a persistent summer cold, and the ride in from Bloomington had me tired out.
Keith and I woke up at 5:00 and had breakfast at the hotel. I employed my usual pre-ride breakfast strategy of eating all I could hold… ended up having two waffles, a bowl of cereal, two muffins, and a cereal bar. The hotel didn’t have any fruit which was sort of a bummer.
We left the hotel at 6:15 and rode about 8-miles to the start of the ride. I took up a position near the front of the pack, since I expected to remain with the lead group for as long as I could.
I did not have sag support, and did not plan to stop except to pee, so I packed all my food with me. I took a bunch of hammer gel and clif bars, and packed four water bottles. I knew going into this ride without vehicular support would keep me from staying with the lead pack for the duration of the ride… after all, four bottles of water wouldn’t last me for 7-hours, and I would lose the pack when I stopped to refill… but I thought I would make the best of it and hang with the lead group until short on water. My riding buddy, Keith, was in a similar situation, and packed a ton of food in a Bob the Builder backpack that he strapped onto his rack. It was an amusing sight.
The beginning of the ride was uneventful, except I thought I heard an accident from further back in the pack shortly into the ride. I was glad that I had picked a starting position towards the front of the pack because, with the police escort, there was no need to stop for the traffic lights and it was easy to negotiate a position towards the very front of the pack for when the police car peeled off and turned us loose on highway 40. Once the police escort departed, I took my place among a huge lead group that took up an entire lane on 40. Some riders rode in the second lane, blocking traffic. It was unfortunate to see this behavior, I believe that too much of that could mean the end of RAIN some time in the future, and in the very least, it gives cyclists a bad name. Cars were driving in the grass to pass the group… it was a crazy situation.
Anyway, the lead group set a reasonable pace of 25-30, but the group kept surging and it was hard to keep a constant speed. There were no pacelines. I was feeling good in spite of my cold. The cool temperatures reduced my water consumption, so I thought that I could hang with the lead group until the lunch stop before needing to refill.
Once we got to Plainfield, the route departed US40 and became a bit confusing. The lead group ran stoplights when they could. At one point, the lead group missed a detour and actually cut almost a mile off the route. So nearly all the top times in RAIN are, to some extent, illegitimate. I feel bad that I missed this road marking… but in a big pack like that it’s hard to see the Dan Henrys.
This is something that was new to me… if the group stopped, folks would just whip it out and go to the bathroom right in the road. There was a girl of 12-13 on the back of a tandem that really got an eyeful! I rode through some guy’s steamy puddle about 30-miles east of Plainfield… it was gross.
Since this was my first rain, I really didn’t know where the lunch stop was, and I missed it. I didn’t realize that I had gone by it until the group was east of Indy. This was disastrous for me, since I was out of water and 35-miles from the next stop. I grimly decided to stay with the main group for as long as I could. As the group got back on US40, at about mile 110, the pace quickened, and folks started getting dropped. I was feeling the effects of dehydration, and wasn’t up to staying at a pace of 25+. I got shelled at mile 118. I continued to ride on, and was counting the miles before the next rest stop, which was at mile 130. At about mile 122, my pace slowed to about 18mph and I guess I looked like death. A rider from Team Bolla gave me some water from his sag… I wish I had gotten the guy’s name… I owe him big time. I felt a little better after the water and my pace slowly improved. At mile 130, I loaded up on Gatorade at the last rest stop. Before I knew it, I had drank three waterbottles of Gatorade in 10-miles. I obviously overdid it, and I got a wicked stomachache and my headache got worse.
At about mile 145, I ran into RAAM rider Dave Tanner. He let me tag along behind his back wheel all the way to the finish. The post-ride food was perfect… there was PBJ and lots of cookies and high-carb stuff there. They even had showers.
Final stats:
Ride Time: 6:53:48
Total Time: 6:59
Avg. Speed: 23.1
Distance: 159.02 (Remember, the lead group missed a detour that would have added almost a mile to the route)
PacersGuy
07-15-07, 06:46 PM
forgot to add at least a couple of pics!
before the ride - you can see chipcom behind me
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/PacersGuy/RAIN%202007/IMGP1446.jpg
after the ride with a couple of riders that i rolled with for about 70 miles - thanks to these guys for being great riding partners. the guy on the right got a 22nd place in the national time trials in his age group - not sure of the distance, but he's a very strong rider.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/PacersGuy/RAIN%202007/DSC00036.jpg
before the ride - you can see chipcom behind me
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/PacersGuy/RAIN%202007/IMGP1446.jpg
after the ride with a couple of riders that i rolled with for about 70 miles - thanks to these guys for being great riding partners. the guy on the right got a 22nd place in the national time trials in his age group - not sure of the distance, but he's a very strong rider.
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/PacersGuy/RAIN%202007/DSC00036.jpg
nvr
07-15-07, 08:17 PM
http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/RAIN4.jpg
That's my SAG vehicle on the side...8 years old/216,000 miles/runs like a champ, but I digress.
SmokinMiles - Thanks for the nice comments. They were really a great help. I thought they would've been bored driving around and waiting for me, but I learned of their day long adventure during dinner. Turns out they got lost a few times, and barely made it to each stop right before I did. They're looking forward to next year just as much as I am. I think I'll start collecting keychains :D
That's my SAG vehicle on the side...8 years old/216,000 miles/runs like a champ, but I digress.
SmokinMiles - Thanks for the nice comments. They were really a great help. I thought they would've been bored driving around and waiting for me, but I learned of their day long adventure during dinner. Turns out they got lost a few times, and barely made it to each stop right before I did. They're looking forward to next year just as much as I am. I think I'll start collecting keychains :D
R900
07-15-07, 08:21 PM
That's my SAG vehicle on the side...8 years old/216,000 miles/runs like a champ, but I digress.
SmokinMiles - Thanks for the nice comments. They were really a great help. I thought they would've been bored driving around and waiting for me, but I learned of their day long adventure during dinner. Turns out they got lost a few times, and barely made it to each stop right before I did. They're looking forward to next year just as much as I am. I think I'll start collecting keychains :D
My wife had a great time sagging as well, and already taking about next year. I'm not as committed, but we will see...
SmokinMiles - Thanks for the nice comments. They were really a great help. I thought they would've been bored driving around and waiting for me, but I learned of their day long adventure during dinner. Turns out they got lost a few times, and barely made it to each stop right before I did. They're looking forward to next year just as much as I am. I think I'll start collecting keychains :D
My wife had a great time sagging as well, and already taking about next year. I'm not as committed, but we will see...
SmokinMiles
07-15-07, 09:23 PM
Smokinmiles,
Think I passed you 3 times on the post-lunch stop section on 40. Was the guy in the A4+ jersey on Litespeed Tuscany who said "You're forcing me to pass you again";) . Great ride, you were looking good!
Yes!! I remember you quite well! It is so cool for folks to be checking in. You really brightened those last miles with your friendliness, smiles and words of encouragement. Thanks for the note. You had a fine ride yourself.
Crystal
Think I passed you 3 times on the post-lunch stop section on 40. Was the guy in the A4+ jersey on Litespeed Tuscany who said "You're forcing me to pass you again";) . Great ride, you were looking good!
Yes!! I remember you quite well! It is so cool for folks to be checking in. You really brightened those last miles with your friendliness, smiles and words of encouragement. Thanks for the note. You had a fine ride yourself.
Crystal
delmont425
07-15-07, 09:57 PM
Short ride report: total time, 7:22. Avg speed, 22.4 mph (from my Polar CS200). Best of the 3 consecutive RAIN rides I've done. Rode in the pack until the Putnam Co. hills (I live there; I know them there hills) where the pack started to string out. Rode to the lunch stop with a new friend from Bloomington. From there, rode solo until about Dunreith; then met up with an 18-year-old from Ohio who impressed the socks off of me by his riding and his beyond-his-years maturity. Great ride, great event--hope to see everyone there again next year!
Psimet2001
07-15-07, 11:24 PM
Well...let's see. This year was a good year. I had a feeling that we were going to have a good tailwind, and indeed we did.
As others mentioned we rolled up to the start very early. On the rollup we came across shider and Chipcom. As we sat around spewing nervous chatter waiting for the start people started rolling up and introducing each other. I got some crap about not shaving my legs. I finally had to explain that the wife drew the line in the sand.
I was handed CyLowe's camera at some point. Chipcom asked me to take a shot of his socks/sandals so that botto would know that Chip was keeping it real Fred style. The last couple of minutes were nerve racking. I was still hoping to see nvr at the start, and as it was he called with about 6 minutes to the start and said he was under the overpass....(about 600 riders back) :eek: When he showed I finally settled in and put my mind to starting.
Even though we were only 6-10 rows back it was still a bit of a traffic jam. We fragmented early on. I was hanging on to shider and hoping we still had people with us. I thought Chipcom was right behind me, but turned finally to see it was aham.
When we finally got to those early rollers I could see the 2-laned lead group heading up the roller ahead as we were getting into the valleys in between. It sounds like (from where people descibe certain events happening with relation to them) we were in the middle of most of the people here.
Shider pulled forever. I seem to always find myself riding 2nd wheel to him. Waiting to see him pull off, but feeling like I am working at the front already. He just doesn't like not being in front. His friend from his home club that was riding with us kept yelling at him to take a break. Shider would just ignore it or drop back a few spots for 30 seconds (never getting into the actual line or draft) and then rocket back up to the front. Sick.
We bum rushed the first stop. It was basically empty when we got there. No lines anywhere. A quick wiz, a PB&J and we were gone. Waved to our SAG as we went past.
The next section was even faster it semed. The few times I looked down at my computer, all I saw was 30mph or over. I still had my compact on from the HHH ride (was waiting on a new chain from someone :rolleyes:), and quickly found that I ran out of gears :eek:.
We came into the second stop on fire. I remember my avg being in the 23-24 mph range. Some of the comments I had heard from aham and cylowe while riding made me think that this was where we were going to let the rabbits go. Shider said, "l'm ready to roll." I said, "see you later." Aham got this puppy look on his face. I had only refilled my bottles, and still hadn't even gotten anything to eat and we were over already 60 miles into the ride.
I figured WTF and asked if I could get 5 seconds to eat a PB&J. Shider said, "5, 4, 3..." As I choked it down I yelled at cylowe to get rollin. Shider was already out of the parking lot as we started to get going. I looked for nvr, but didn't see his SAG on the way out. Had a pretty good feeling that was going to be the last we saw him.
I started taping the gels and started feeling a little iffy around 80 miles in. I hate the section around Indy. I always do. All 3 times I've done this ride I've hated that section. I was ready for the lunch stop. I just hadn't gotten anything real in me food wise and knew I was just setting myself up for a massive bonk if I didn't get anything.
Filled the bottles, got a sandwich, sat down next to Shider just in time for him to get up. I sat there long enough to see SmokinMiles roll in. I turned around and she was gone. I scarfed down my turkey sandwich (couldn't even finish it all), and a bananna and asked the guys if they could stick around long enough for me to wizz. Saw a dude in the bathroom with a "R900" written on his number. Noticed the OSU jersey, but didn't say anything because...well...he had his hands full, and I'm not a toilet talker.
We headed out the same way we headed out the last two years, which was not the actual route. Right out of the parking lot I said, "is this he right way? I don't see any riders up there." Someone said "yeah"...
Well after getting to a corner that had no markings we stopped. A group collected at the intersection, and luckily one guy had a map, and enough knowledge of the area to point us in the right direction. From there we used the old route markings to get back on course.
Not too long after that aham started pushing forward. I still felt pretty good (aham keeps telling me I had just blown up the group on my last pull), but looked back and noticed that cylowe was not looking his best. I floated back and in the process aham got a gap, and went through a yellow light. I knew that was the last we were going to see of him.
That was right around when I looked down and noticed that I had just turned a sub-5 hour century. 4:43 to be exact. Not bad. Cylowe said he hit a century a few miles back (my computer always reads low - frame flex - sensor drop out) so the time was probably even better. Definitely my best.
Had our SAG meet us at where 40 picks back up again. Every year I have needed water there. While I still had water this year, it wouldn't have lasted to the next stop at 130. Filled the bottles and got back going.
I didn't feel too hot around 120 miles in. My knee which had been twitching all day just gave up on me. I had a shooting sharp pain on every pedal stroke. I had to resort to bursts of 5-8 revs followed by the same amount of time coasting. Rinse. Repeat.
I still had tons of energy, and my guads felt good, but I just couldn't drope the hamer anymore :rolleyes:. The last stop couldn't have come quick enough. I felt good at the stop, apart from the knee. Potty break, grabbed 2 chilled banannas, and filled bottles. Ran about 20 minutes or so.
Once back out I "clocked" the tailwind at 20mph about 3-4 times (felt no air moving at all, flags still flying, and the computer said "20"). That detour into the wind, can't remember if it was before the last break or not, was just horrid. I swept all of my gears, and thought about turning around and taking 40 through the construction zone.
My knee was shot at the end of the day. I kept trying to pull, but cylowe would let me get along side, and then speed up and match pace. So I ended up wheel sucking for a large chunk of the end. SAG called at under 10 miles left and told me aham had finished. Once in Richmond cylowe took off on a hill. My knee just couldn't take it anymore. I was still close until I got caught by a light on a downhill (ARRGGGHH!). Got caught by another light on the same downhill. After that it was a nice easy roll in.
All said and done I did better than last year (12:20ish last year). This was the perfect storm of weather conditions for this ride so I feel sorry for anyone who rode this as their first attempt. They will grossly under-estimate the ride next year.
Total Time: 9:29:30 (off of my HRM which I forgot to stop for about 5-10 minutes after the end)
Ride Time: 7:52:54
Calories: 5577 (FWIW)
Avg HR: 139 (<-- extremely low for me)
Avg Speed: 20.0
It ws great seeing everyone, and I find it funny that we all basically rode at the same pace, but rest time separated us. Next year I plan on preparing for super quick stops. Preset bottles again, and food/gels in my own little musette bags. That way maybe I won't be the anchor dragger.
As others mentioned we rolled up to the start very early. On the rollup we came across shider and Chipcom. As we sat around spewing nervous chatter waiting for the start people started rolling up and introducing each other. I got some crap about not shaving my legs. I finally had to explain that the wife drew the line in the sand.
I was handed CyLowe's camera at some point. Chipcom asked me to take a shot of his socks/sandals so that botto would know that Chip was keeping it real Fred style. The last couple of minutes were nerve racking. I was still hoping to see nvr at the start, and as it was he called with about 6 minutes to the start and said he was under the overpass....(about 600 riders back) :eek: When he showed I finally settled in and put my mind to starting.
Even though we were only 6-10 rows back it was still a bit of a traffic jam. We fragmented early on. I was hanging on to shider and hoping we still had people with us. I thought Chipcom was right behind me, but turned finally to see it was aham.
When we finally got to those early rollers I could see the 2-laned lead group heading up the roller ahead as we were getting into the valleys in between. It sounds like (from where people descibe certain events happening with relation to them) we were in the middle of most of the people here.
Shider pulled forever. I seem to always find myself riding 2nd wheel to him. Waiting to see him pull off, but feeling like I am working at the front already. He just doesn't like not being in front. His friend from his home club that was riding with us kept yelling at him to take a break. Shider would just ignore it or drop back a few spots for 30 seconds (never getting into the actual line or draft) and then rocket back up to the front. Sick.
We bum rushed the first stop. It was basically empty when we got there. No lines anywhere. A quick wiz, a PB&J and we were gone. Waved to our SAG as we went past.
The next section was even faster it semed. The few times I looked down at my computer, all I saw was 30mph or over. I still had my compact on from the HHH ride (was waiting on a new chain from someone :rolleyes:), and quickly found that I ran out of gears :eek:.
We came into the second stop on fire. I remember my avg being in the 23-24 mph range. Some of the comments I had heard from aham and cylowe while riding made me think that this was where we were going to let the rabbits go. Shider said, "l'm ready to roll." I said, "see you later." Aham got this puppy look on his face. I had only refilled my bottles, and still hadn't even gotten anything to eat and we were over already 60 miles into the ride.
I figured WTF and asked if I could get 5 seconds to eat a PB&J. Shider said, "5, 4, 3..." As I choked it down I yelled at cylowe to get rollin. Shider was already out of the parking lot as we started to get going. I looked for nvr, but didn't see his SAG on the way out. Had a pretty good feeling that was going to be the last we saw him.
I started taping the gels and started feeling a little iffy around 80 miles in. I hate the section around Indy. I always do. All 3 times I've done this ride I've hated that section. I was ready for the lunch stop. I just hadn't gotten anything real in me food wise and knew I was just setting myself up for a massive bonk if I didn't get anything.
Filled the bottles, got a sandwich, sat down next to Shider just in time for him to get up. I sat there long enough to see SmokinMiles roll in. I turned around and she was gone. I scarfed down my turkey sandwich (couldn't even finish it all), and a bananna and asked the guys if they could stick around long enough for me to wizz. Saw a dude in the bathroom with a "R900" written on his number. Noticed the OSU jersey, but didn't say anything because...well...he had his hands full, and I'm not a toilet talker.
We headed out the same way we headed out the last two years, which was not the actual route. Right out of the parking lot I said, "is this he right way? I don't see any riders up there." Someone said "yeah"...
Well after getting to a corner that had no markings we stopped. A group collected at the intersection, and luckily one guy had a map, and enough knowledge of the area to point us in the right direction. From there we used the old route markings to get back on course.
Not too long after that aham started pushing forward. I still felt pretty good (aham keeps telling me I had just blown up the group on my last pull), but looked back and noticed that cylowe was not looking his best. I floated back and in the process aham got a gap, and went through a yellow light. I knew that was the last we were going to see of him.
That was right around when I looked down and noticed that I had just turned a sub-5 hour century. 4:43 to be exact. Not bad. Cylowe said he hit a century a few miles back (my computer always reads low - frame flex - sensor drop out) so the time was probably even better. Definitely my best.
Had our SAG meet us at where 40 picks back up again. Every year I have needed water there. While I still had water this year, it wouldn't have lasted to the next stop at 130. Filled the bottles and got back going.
I didn't feel too hot around 120 miles in. My knee which had been twitching all day just gave up on me. I had a shooting sharp pain on every pedal stroke. I had to resort to bursts of 5-8 revs followed by the same amount of time coasting. Rinse. Repeat.
I still had tons of energy, and my guads felt good, but I just couldn't drope the hamer anymore :rolleyes:. The last stop couldn't have come quick enough. I felt good at the stop, apart from the knee. Potty break, grabbed 2 chilled banannas, and filled bottles. Ran about 20 minutes or so.
Once back out I "clocked" the tailwind at 20mph about 3-4 times (felt no air moving at all, flags still flying, and the computer said "20"). That detour into the wind, can't remember if it was before the last break or not, was just horrid. I swept all of my gears, and thought about turning around and taking 40 through the construction zone.
My knee was shot at the end of the day. I kept trying to pull, but cylowe would let me get along side, and then speed up and match pace. So I ended up wheel sucking for a large chunk of the end. SAG called at under 10 miles left and told me aham had finished. Once in Richmond cylowe took off on a hill. My knee just couldn't take it anymore. I was still close until I got caught by a light on a downhill (ARRGGGHH!). Got caught by another light on the same downhill. After that it was a nice easy roll in.
All said and done I did better than last year (12:20ish last year). This was the perfect storm of weather conditions for this ride so I feel sorry for anyone who rode this as their first attempt. They will grossly under-estimate the ride next year.
Total Time: 9:29:30 (off of my HRM which I forgot to stop for about 5-10 minutes after the end)
Ride Time: 7:52:54
Calories: 5577 (FWIW)
Avg HR: 139 (<-- extremely low for me)
Avg Speed: 20.0
It ws great seeing everyone, and I find it funny that we all basically rode at the same pace, but rest time separated us. Next year I plan on preparing for super quick stops. Preset bottles again, and food/gels in my own little musette bags. That way maybe I won't be the anchor dragger.
DXchulo
07-16-07, 05:10 AM
This was my first RAIN. Here is my ride report… unfortunately, I don’t have any pix, so it might be a bit boring.
...
...
You know what, I share your disappointment in the behavior of the lead group. They sacrifice common sense for a little bit of speed.
I was annoyed with people riding in the left lane just like you were. If you have to ride in the left lane to pass then you've failed at your positioning. It's really that simple. I rode in the gutter on the right a couple times early on, but I was careful to take a long look ahead to make sure it was safe. I also noticed SAGs riding slowly in the left lane, which annoyed me as well. 40 isn't super busy, but it has its busy spots and usually has a steady flow of traffic, and with the construction on I-70 it's just not cool to impede traffic too much.
I'm also annoyed at the way they ran stop lights on the Indy detour. The light's red, they go, and then they yell thanks to the cars. Yeah, thanks for stopping when we didn't give you any choice. :rolleyes:
I'm not sure why guys were peeing in the middle of the road in busy areas. At the very least a big grassy shoulder was never too far away. I managed to hold it for 7 hours and I'm still living to tell about it.
My biggest problem is that guys treat this like the Tour de France or something and overdo it with support vehicles. It seemed like some guys were grabbing bottles at least once an hour. Don't they have 2 bottle cages? I got a kick at how bad some of the SAGs/riders seemed to be at passing/grabbing bottles. I saw a ton of them get dropped.
Worst of all, I saw a lot of gel wrappers being littered. That's bull****. I did the ride on 8 gels. Each empty wrapper was put safely in my jersey pocket. It's really not that hard.
Maybe they should have a police escort the whole way? It might cut down on a little bit of the stupid behavior.
...
...
You know what, I share your disappointment in the behavior of the lead group. They sacrifice common sense for a little bit of speed.
I was annoyed with people riding in the left lane just like you were. If you have to ride in the left lane to pass then you've failed at your positioning. It's really that simple. I rode in the gutter on the right a couple times early on, but I was careful to take a long look ahead to make sure it was safe. I also noticed SAGs riding slowly in the left lane, which annoyed me as well. 40 isn't super busy, but it has its busy spots and usually has a steady flow of traffic, and with the construction on I-70 it's just not cool to impede traffic too much.
I'm also annoyed at the way they ran stop lights on the Indy detour. The light's red, they go, and then they yell thanks to the cars. Yeah, thanks for stopping when we didn't give you any choice. :rolleyes:
I'm not sure why guys were peeing in the middle of the road in busy areas. At the very least a big grassy shoulder was never too far away. I managed to hold it for 7 hours and I'm still living to tell about it.
My biggest problem is that guys treat this like the Tour de France or something and overdo it with support vehicles. It seemed like some guys were grabbing bottles at least once an hour. Don't they have 2 bottle cages? I got a kick at how bad some of the SAGs/riders seemed to be at passing/grabbing bottles. I saw a ton of them get dropped.
Worst of all, I saw a lot of gel wrappers being littered. That's bull****. I did the ride on 8 gels. Each empty wrapper was put safely in my jersey pocket. It's really not that hard.
Maybe they should have a police escort the whole way? It might cut down on a little bit of the stupid behavior.
SmokinMiles
07-16-07, 06:18 AM
[I hate the section around Indy. I always do. All 3 times I've done this ride I've hated that section. I was ready for the lunch stop.]
I hate this part, too, as you'll read in my report. Mentally, it is just so hard and one loses so much momentum there so for all of us to ride our best centuries, I'd say we did pretty darn good.
I can just see aham's puppy look. I'm telling you... he and shider looked great the last 50 miles. I got shider out of the lunch stop going the right direction. Even though he hadn't done the ride before he started out of there the wrong, or old way, which makes me think he had seen riders going that direction.
I might also add that I highly recommend the musette bags as opposed to having your sag stuff potatoes into a little Bento Box on the tube with one's phone in it. I speak from experience. :D
Your are organizer extraordinaire! Thanks for getting us all together. It was great starting up front and getting through Terre Haute without the stoplights.
Crystal
I hate this part, too, as you'll read in my report. Mentally, it is just so hard and one loses so much momentum there so for all of us to ride our best centuries, I'd say we did pretty darn good.
I can just see aham's puppy look. I'm telling you... he and shider looked great the last 50 miles. I got shider out of the lunch stop going the right direction. Even though he hadn't done the ride before he started out of there the wrong, or old way, which makes me think he had seen riders going that direction.
I might also add that I highly recommend the musette bags as opposed to having your sag stuff potatoes into a little Bento Box on the tube with one's phone in it. I speak from experience. :D
Your are organizer extraordinaire! Thanks for getting us all together. It was great starting up front and getting through Terre Haute without the stoplights.
Crystal
R900
07-16-07, 06:27 AM
Crystal,
While I didn't meet everyone, it seems we at least pass one another at different times, but I haven't seen you pic so I'm not sure. Any pics?
While I didn't meet everyone, it seems we at least pass one another at different times, but I haven't seen you pic so I'm not sure. Any pics?
SmokinMiles
07-16-07, 07:33 AM
Crystal,
While I didn't meet everyone, it seems we at least pass one another at different times, but I haven't seen you pic so I'm not sure. Any pics?
I'm in the pictures that CyLowe posted earlier in the thread. 2007 Rain Ride BFNIC, I think he has it labeled. I'm the blonde in the blue outfit. I bet we passed at some point :)
While I didn't meet everyone, it seems we at least pass one another at different times, but I haven't seen you pic so I'm not sure. Any pics?
I'm in the pictures that CyLowe posted earlier in the thread. 2007 Rain Ride BFNIC, I think he has it labeled. I'm the blonde in the blue outfit. I bet we passed at some point :)
chipcom
07-16-07, 07:56 AM
forgot to add at least a couple of pics!
before the ride - you can see chipcom behind me
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/PacersGuy/RAIN%202007/IMGP1446.jpg
OMG I got caught smoochin! :eek:
before the ride - you can see chipcom behind me
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa162/PacersGuy/RAIN%202007/IMGP1446.jpg
OMG I got caught smoochin! :eek:
SmokinMiles
07-16-07, 07:58 AM
OMG I got caught smoochin! :eek:
No smoochin where we were....just looking at hairy legs and crumpled up bib numbers!
No smoochin where we were....just looking at hairy legs and crumpled up bib numbers!
chipcom
07-16-07, 08:02 AM
Chipcom asked me to take a shot of his socks/sandals so that botto would know that Chip was keeping it real Fred style.
See botto, we was thinkin of you! :p
See botto, we was thinkin of you! :p
SmokinMiles
07-16-07, 08:03 AM
Well, folks, here's my brief ride report. This was my 2nd rain ride and I was woefully under-trained. I went into it with the idea that if I made it to Plainfield, I'd be about 8 miles from home and could get a nap in while everyone else was pedaling to Richmond. However, when I got there, I was feeling pretty good and managed to make the rest of the ride. I actually felt pretty good until about mile 125 or so, then I started playing those mind games that we all know and love. I sucked down a gel and some water and before long, the legs stopped burning and the tailwind (blessed tailwind) picked up a little and I sort of just cruised on into Richmond. Last year I did the ride in about 12:20. This year I came in just under 11:00 actual time and 9:09 on the computer (too much time at the SAGS methinks!). I averaged about 18mph and feel pretty good. Makes me glad I lost the 100 pounds so that I can enjoy rides like this.
Here are a couple of shots of my riding buddy and me. Chipcom, didn't we ride together for a while? I sort of recall a conversation about us being socially acceptable wheel suckers! :D
Before the ride (I'm on the left):
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u128/dewbertpix/gettingstarted.jpg
Loafing at lunch (I'm GLAD my wife brought the chair!):
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u128/dewbertpix/lunchstop.jpg
Awesome ride, Dewbert, and your weight loss is quite inspirational. I LOVE that picture of you and your buddy lounging. That is priceless. Really captures the essence of how darn exhausting the day is. Your wife is a keeper...bringing a lounger like that for you. :) Crystal
Here are a couple of shots of my riding buddy and me. Chipcom, didn't we ride together for a while? I sort of recall a conversation about us being socially acceptable wheel suckers! :D
Before the ride (I'm on the left):
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u128/dewbertpix/gettingstarted.jpg
Loafing at lunch (I'm GLAD my wife brought the chair!):
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u128/dewbertpix/lunchstop.jpg
Awesome ride, Dewbert, and your weight loss is quite inspirational. I LOVE that picture of you and your buddy lounging. That is priceless. Really captures the essence of how darn exhausting the day is. Your wife is a keeper...bringing a lounger like that for you. :) Crystal
R900
07-16-07, 08:06 AM
I'm in the pictures that CyLowe posted earlier in the thread. 2007 Rain Ride BFNIC, I think he has it labeled. I'm the blonde in the blue outfit. I bet we passed at some point :)
Crystal, You should have said; cute blonde with the great smile. I'm guessing you passed me early and never looked back. Congrats on a great ride, gotta do it next year!
Crystal, You should have said; cute blonde with the great smile. I'm guessing you passed me early and never looked back. Congrats on a great ride, gotta do it next year!
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