I survived. It's just a heck of a tough ride. It's 102+ miles with 10,000-11,000 feet of climbing. For Will and his AbB team it probably would have just been another day!! In the last 25 miles there is a 5 mile climb, 7 mile climb, 3 mile climb and then a 5 mile climb at the finish. Miss Lightweight and the 50/34 were perfect for the climbs and the grades on this route.

Lightning and storms woke me up in the middle of the night. Unfortunately neither let up until we were into the ride for about an hour. We had sunshine and clouds and then were treated to strong wind gusts and fog up on Mitchell.

I stayed with the lead group of 300 riders for the first 30 miles and then a gap opened up and things broke apart back where I was. I almost went down at one point-the closest I've come to going down on a ride of this magnitude in a large pack. I was in the large pack and noone pointed out a huge large dead cat in the road. I hit it squarely doing about 23 mph and went airborne. I came down with my front wheel turned slightly sideways but somehow managed to stay upright. Many little prayers were said following that one!!

I went completely braindead while doing the first 5 mile climb which was about 80 miles into the ride. I was about 1/2 up the 5 mile climb and I was really struggling with it. In fact I didn't know if I could even finish the ride I was having to work so hard and I had 20 more miles to go. I was really second guessing this compact crank thing. I was with a buddy who had a 39 crank and I had the 50/34. I noticed he was spinning faster than me but we were going the same speed. That couldn't be??? My cadence was like 60 and his was 80 and he had a 39 and mine was a 34. Then, I looked down and I saw that I was in my large chainring.........I immediately dropped that sucker down into the 34 and WOW what a difference it made. Boy was I killing my legs and my knees before that!!

My best previous time was 7 hrs 19 mins. My target was to see if I could get in under 7 hours and I was able to do that. My time was 6 hrs 54 mins which included 2 stops of roughly 4 mins each.

I also finished ahead of my brother by 4 mins and my neighbor (the one with the 39) by 3 mins so I guess I get to have bragging rights for a year.

I've been eating pretty good after the ride!! I might even allow myself a dark beer to celebrate finishing before 7 hrs.

Here are a few pics from the top of Mitchell I took afterward getting to the top:

The fellows dispensing warm Tomato Soup served with a large slice of bread
The search for bags
The Men's Locker-this was funny!
An anynomous rider just about to the finish
The last turn!
Clouds going by the tower
Breezy Day!

I'm looking forward to hearing from others on their big rides!