So I did my own Death Ride today. It was a solo 103 mile jaunt with 9800 feet or so of climbing. This was actually my first century!! I linked some of the frequent loops I do to get over the century mark. I started at 5:35 AM in damp cool conditions (temp range for the ride was 44 – 55F). I was properly dressed except my toes were a little cold. Riding in Vermont is a joy. I never hit a traffic light, the small amount of traffic that passes you is courteous, and the scenery is spectacular.

I felt pretty good over the first climb but held back from my usual pace because I knew what was coming. I recorded my fastest speed ever (46.8 MPH) on that decent. The second climb starts at a 20% grade. It softened the legs pretty good. I knew I was in trouble on the long decent after the second climb when my speed was not comparable to my usual rides. Some of the steep short climbs were a struggle at the 60 – 70 mile mark. Then the last 600 foot climb did me in. I was struggling to stay upright at 3.3 MPH. It took all I had to crest that climb. The greater the suffering the greater the sense of accomplishment!!

I finished with 7:00:23 saddle time with an average speed of 14.8 MPH. Not as fast as I had expected but I finished. I stopped only three times. Once, for a couple of minutes, to move trash to my CamelBak, once to pee on the side of the road, and once to retrieve the water bottle that bounced out of my cage after hitting a large pot hole.

I ate 4 Cliff Bars and 4 Hammer Gels. I drank 36 oz of Accelerade and 56 oz of water (2.72 liters of fluid total). I will not drink Accelerade again. Lactose intolerance and milk protein do not mix. It upset my tummy. I need to find a soy based drink. I never felt hungry or thirsty and did not come close to bonking (I have bonked in the past and know how one feels for days after). My legs felt tired and without energy for the end of the ride. I may try an easy 40 miler tomorrow and see how I feel.

Enjoy The Ride
Hammer





(Camara date is wrong)