RAIN Ride Reports
 

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.

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.

Yikes! I'm just happy you weren't hurt as badly as you could have been!

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).

.... :o

Sorry to hear of your misfortune, but glad to hear you were not seriously hurt and that your funny bone is intact.

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.

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.

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.

Wow! I'm really sorry to hear that. Get better soon.
JeniCincinnati

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/x...hulo/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/x...hulo/RAIN3.jpg

A closer look at my ugly ass:

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...hulo/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!

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

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.

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

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.

Why the hell do I look like such a ****** 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

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.

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

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.

Rain 2007
 

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

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.

Guys, did I say "Take a shot of my sandals for Botto" or what? :D

Jeni, Awesome ride and congrats on your new century PR! Hope to see you again on another ride...Crystal

What an amazing improvement! And, no, there was not THAT good of a tailwind. You and shider made it look easy. Crystal

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.

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

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…