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09-10-08, 12:59 AM
http://www.lotojaclassic.com/
http://www.lotojaclassic.com/pdf/2008_RACE_BIBLE.pdf
http://www.milliseconds.com/ResultsQuery2.php?varRaceID=1107&urlVarType=Age%20Division%20is
Deb and I just finished lotoja (206miles) for the second and last time on the tandem (Minert). Trained hard with lots/tons of climbing. We were in citizen tandem, started together with licensed tandems, 13 tandems total, second pack out, 3 minutes behind the Cat 1/2/3s. Passed them 20 miles out. (For the first 50 miles of this race I always think about what we've got to do to put ourselves in position to win our category.) Four teams rolled through the Preston (home of Napolean Dynomite, we even saw uncle Rico's van there) feed zone, and as we started the rollers at the base of the first climb two tandems rocketed past us at 10mph over our speed. Eventually the Cat 1/2/3s and M45+ passed us before we stopped at the neutral FZ just before Strawberry Summit for a racing potty break (both of us behind the busy portapottys). Then gave up those thousands of feet decending fast and curvy, then fast downhill rollers, passing dozens of singles. That climb strung out most of the tandems so we were solo at this point. (Now we're just hoping to finish.)
We were going to take musette bag handoffs to save time but had to stop briefly at the Montpelier FZ to get leg warmers off. Pedaling out I realized my quads were shot. I mean gone, no power, no speed. Kept going, cardio working hard but making slow progress. Deb was hammered but had enough to get us over the Geneva summit, then we gave up the altitude with another 50+ decent that went straight to the base of the third and last climb. This was killer. I was getting sick from hours of over exertion, breathing too fast, but not producing power. I told Deb I thought I had just enough to help us get over the top but couldn't continue at that level of output. We weren't even half way yet and we might have to quit. But pedal stoke by pedal stroke we made it over Salt River Summit.
A licensed tandem, a really nice couple Steve and Amy, caught us at the end of that last descent. I asked how they were doing. They said they had been suffering solo for many miles. I told them I was shot, but pulled in behind them looking for help to get to Afton. After about 10 minutes I had recovered enough to take a weak pull. We decided to work together to help each other to the finish line. At the Afton FZ I laid down next to the bike while Deb took care of business and our great support crew switched out bottles and food. So much for rolling throught he feedzones. Struggled back to upright and pedaled out with our new partners. Worked together, each time it was our turn to pull I knew we had nothing, but we went up and somehow found enough for one more pull. Made it through the cross/headwind to Alpine Junction FZ where I laid down again for a minute. Our support crew was super again switching out supplies and throwing us back out on the road.
Now ~50 miles left starting up the gentle rolling climb of Snake River Canyon. As always, a great tailwind and moderate grades made this the best part of the course. But each of our two teams struggled many times, and the other would back off and pick up the sufferer again keeping each other going. As we entered the hole, or the valley, we were greeted by the usual headwind. We were shot again and they towed us for about 10 miles, at which time Steve bonked. Deb gave him some secret weapon (boiled red potatoes) and we stepped up to tow them. About 3 miles to the finish he recovered and took point again. Got passed by another licensed tandem in a surprise attack just before the finish. Whatever.
We rolled over the finish line at Teton Village side by side, thanking each other for the help. We all felt the only way we finished was with each other's (and God's) help.
So many single riders said words of encouragement as they passed by on those brutal climbs, and many support crews did the same as they drove by. Deb was super woman, never complaining, offering encouragement when she could, never giving up. I'm a lucky man. But neither of us can face that again.
http://www.lotojaclassic.com/pdf/2008_RACE_BIBLE.pdf
http://www.milliseconds.com/ResultsQuery2.php?varRaceID=1107&urlVarType=Age%20Division%20is
Deb and I just finished lotoja (206miles) for the second and last time on the tandem (Minert). Trained hard with lots/tons of climbing. We were in citizen tandem, started together with licensed tandems, 13 tandems total, second pack out, 3 minutes behind the Cat 1/2/3s. Passed them 20 miles out. (For the first 50 miles of this race I always think about what we've got to do to put ourselves in position to win our category.) Four teams rolled through the Preston (home of Napolean Dynomite, we even saw uncle Rico's van there) feed zone, and as we started the rollers at the base of the first climb two tandems rocketed past us at 10mph over our speed. Eventually the Cat 1/2/3s and M45+ passed us before we stopped at the neutral FZ just before Strawberry Summit for a racing potty break (both of us behind the busy portapottys). Then gave up those thousands of feet decending fast and curvy, then fast downhill rollers, passing dozens of singles. That climb strung out most of the tandems so we were solo at this point. (Now we're just hoping to finish.)
We were going to take musette bag handoffs to save time but had to stop briefly at the Montpelier FZ to get leg warmers off. Pedaling out I realized my quads were shot. I mean gone, no power, no speed. Kept going, cardio working hard but making slow progress. Deb was hammered but had enough to get us over the Geneva summit, then we gave up the altitude with another 50+ decent that went straight to the base of the third and last climb. This was killer. I was getting sick from hours of over exertion, breathing too fast, but not producing power. I told Deb I thought I had just enough to help us get over the top but couldn't continue at that level of output. We weren't even half way yet and we might have to quit. But pedal stoke by pedal stroke we made it over Salt River Summit.
A licensed tandem, a really nice couple Steve and Amy, caught us at the end of that last descent. I asked how they were doing. They said they had been suffering solo for many miles. I told them I was shot, but pulled in behind them looking for help to get to Afton. After about 10 minutes I had recovered enough to take a weak pull. We decided to work together to help each other to the finish line. At the Afton FZ I laid down next to the bike while Deb took care of business and our great support crew switched out bottles and food. So much for rolling throught he feedzones. Struggled back to upright and pedaled out with our new partners. Worked together, each time it was our turn to pull I knew we had nothing, but we went up and somehow found enough for one more pull. Made it through the cross/headwind to Alpine Junction FZ where I laid down again for a minute. Our support crew was super again switching out supplies and throwing us back out on the road.
Now ~50 miles left starting up the gentle rolling climb of Snake River Canyon. As always, a great tailwind and moderate grades made this the best part of the course. But each of our two teams struggled many times, and the other would back off and pick up the sufferer again keeping each other going. As we entered the hole, or the valley, we were greeted by the usual headwind. We were shot again and they towed us for about 10 miles, at which time Steve bonked. Deb gave him some secret weapon (boiled red potatoes) and we stepped up to tow them. About 3 miles to the finish he recovered and took point again. Got passed by another licensed tandem in a surprise attack just before the finish. Whatever.
We rolled over the finish line at Teton Village side by side, thanking each other for the help. We all felt the only way we finished was with each other's (and God's) help.
So many single riders said words of encouragement as they passed by on those brutal climbs, and many support crews did the same as they drove by. Deb was super woman, never complaining, offering encouragement when she could, never giving up. I'm a lucky man. But neither of us can face that again.