Davis Double Report
05-17-09, 02:45 PM
#26
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Wow. Sounds like an epic ride!
It's a good thing I didn't go. I went for a ride today, 76 miles, but I felt bonky the whole way. Drank lots of water, ate, etc. If I had gone yesterday, I would have been a disaster.
See ya'll next sat!
It's a good thing I didn't go. I went for a ride today, 76 miles, but I felt bonky the whole way. Drank lots of water, ate, etc. If I had gone yesterday, I would have been a disaster.
See ya'll next sat!
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05-17-09, 02:59 PM
#27
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My day started with a disaster, I was loading the truck outside my hotel in Dixon and I locked my keys and cell phone in the truck. I was supposed to be meeting everyone for a 4am start, sorry everyone!
Luckily a good samaritian at the hotel gave me a lift to the start, so I was on the road by 5am.
I was doing ok managed to get in to a group, once we hit Cobb Mountain everyone just went their own pace, Climbed ok but once i hit Resurrection, the heat hit me and it became a struggle, i was hydrated I had eaten plenty, had electrolytes, but I couldn't focus. Stopped a few times but I reached the rest stop, by this time I was a bit shaky and considering the temperature I was cold!!!
I sat in the shade of the first aid tent with a lot of other people and I was thinking of quitting (which is something I never do), when Dan arrived, he said he was going to rest a while, so I thought if I feel better by the time he leaves I would ride to the finish with him.
We set off and I felt a lot better, good fast descent and we had a good pace going. Thanks Dan I appreciate all the encouragement and having company when you don't feel a 100% is always better than riding on your own.
A nice surprise for me was at the next stop when Mark (Rumbutter) turned up with a spare key for my truck, he was also helping out as a volunteer , bringing ice, etc, that certainly boosted my spirits.
The last 25 miles Dan really put the pace up, we just wanted to finish, we ended up with a group of riders so we had plenty of light on the dark rides. Friendly atmosphere made a hard ride end on a good note and although I went through a bad patch at 130 miles I'm glad I persevered and finished.
My riding time was 13hrs 30 mins, total time just over 15 hours
Luckily a good samaritian at the hotel gave me a lift to the start, so I was on the road by 5am.
I was doing ok managed to get in to a group, once we hit Cobb Mountain everyone just went their own pace, Climbed ok but once i hit Resurrection, the heat hit me and it became a struggle, i was hydrated I had eaten plenty, had electrolytes, but I couldn't focus. Stopped a few times but I reached the rest stop, by this time I was a bit shaky and considering the temperature I was cold!!!
I sat in the shade of the first aid tent with a lot of other people and I was thinking of quitting (which is something I never do), when Dan arrived, he said he was going to rest a while, so I thought if I feel better by the time he leaves I would ride to the finish with him.
We set off and I felt a lot better, good fast descent and we had a good pace going. Thanks Dan I appreciate all the encouragement and having company when you don't feel a 100% is always better than riding on your own.
A nice surprise for me was at the next stop when Mark (Rumbutter) turned up with a spare key for my truck, he was also helping out as a volunteer , bringing ice, etc, that certainly boosted my spirits.
The last 25 miles Dan really put the pace up, we just wanted to finish, we ended up with a group of riders so we had plenty of light on the dark rides. Friendly atmosphere made a hard ride end on a good note and although I went through a bad patch at 130 miles I'm glad I persevered and finished.
My riding time was 13hrs 30 mins, total time just over 15 hours
05-17-09, 02:59 PM
#28
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Got to Davis Friday night, around 6:30 pm, and registered (as the group is leaving at 4 am). It was really nice to have pre-ride dinner at the same place where registration took place. This meant not having to drive to a restaurant, wait to get seated, wait for food, then getting back to the hotel and possibly getting to bed by 10 or 11 pm. This had to have saved 2 hours in the preparation over night (especially if we are to get up at 2:30 am). Major kudos to Davis for just doing this little bit.
With temps expected to be in high 90's, and low 100's, heat and hydration would become an issue. With this in mind, I decided to bring my camelback. I could also stuff a lot of junk in there.
As promised, we all took off at 4 am. The goal was to finish the ride in daylight. We started out in pitch blackness, which was a challenge in itself. Since we took off before the supported start time, directions could be challenging. Normally, a yellow flashing light at an intersection would warn you about a turn, but the turn to the first rest stop was not there when we got there. This added an extra 1-2 miles to our ride. When we made the U-turn, we did see the flashing light, and the flagman. We all said "That wasn't there when we first approached it. Major failure on that course marshall!"
Probably the most famous rider in the double is this little girl, who rode stoker on the tandem with her dad. Someone asked her dad if she contributed any power during the ride, and he said no. That's quite impressive for him to pull the whole load, especially with all the climbs we did.
After a short stop, we continued, and got into a nice paceline. I was riding behind Pete, and didn't call out a big 6 inch pothole, that I couldn't avoid. Next thing ya know, 1 mile later, I flatted. The group went on ahead, while I fix my flat. I figure I should be able to catch up with them later ... NOT!!! Dang it ... if only the pothole was called out!
Sun came out as we do our first climb, up Monticello Dam. As always, fantastic view as we pass it.
I eventually caught up with Dan (LanceOldStrong), my roommate at the second rest stop. Good ... I didn't want to ride the rest of the double solo, and neither did he.
We rode together, trading leads for the next 50 miles or so. Everything was going fine, until just before reaching the rest stop before the Cobb Mountain climb. Two things happened ... first, a tandem flatted on a really fast descent, and wound up in a ditch on the other side of the road. They eventually had to be airlifted. Hope they come out okay. Second, on the flat stretch coming into the 4th rest stop, I leg cramps up. This was the first time my leg cramps up like that ... oh, this is not good, especially with the toughest part of the ride coming up. I had to stop off to the side of the road, and Dan comes along to help out with some very useful stretching exercise, and e-caps.
After a bit of rest, and re-fueling, we're off to Cobb. Dan went up ahead, and that's the last I saw of him. I struggle up Cobb Mountain climb, and the heat at this point was just getting unbearable. Not only was I battling leg cramps, and heat, but Cobb is 17% at some stretches. It got so bad, that I had to abandon my pride and get off the bike, and yes, walk it for about 1000 yards. There were about 20 others who suffered the same fate. In fact, one of the SAG drivers saw so many suffering, she parked her car halfway up, with water, and to douse our heads with water. That felt great. Why is it that the end is a lot further along than you were anticipating it to be?
I finally caught up with Dan at the lunch stop, but he was ready to roll, so we bid goodbye at that point. I was really hurting bad, and I just needed to take a long rest here, and more importantly, eat. So I devoured a full bowl of pasta salad, plus a turkey and roast beef sandwich. I was hoping this would be enough to take me through Resurrection, but it was not in the cards. Resurrection is not that tough a hill, but it is long and more gradual. The heat was getting to its peak in the low 100's, and that was draining my energy. I was in my granny gear, and still couldn't get more than 3 mph. I ended up stopping a few more times on that climb, and it was not even in the shade.
It's strange, I know it's hot, and need to stay hydrated, but no matter what I did, after taking a swig, my mouth still had this cotton dry feeling. It's like no matter how much fluids I intake, it wouldn't go in. It was also a bad sign that I didn't have to pee. I know I was drinking, as I did have to keep filling up my camelback, but I was still not staying hydrated enough. I wasn't cramping anymore, but I still couldn't get any power into my legs. I just couldn't turn the crank at all. All the preparations I made ... Wine Country in the rain, Primavera in the heat, and it all didn't prepare me for this. I guess I didn't have enough heat training.
At the Resurrection rest stop, I decided I cannot go anymore. I know there is a little down, then a little up, then it's 60 miles downhill or tailwind all the way back to the finish, so the climbing for the most part was done. I normally would have just gone on ahead, but my leg was cramping so badly, and energy was so low, I just couldn't go. Major failure here ... first time I've ever DNF'd and SAGged in a ride. What's worse, I'm sagging in, wearing a Triple Crown jersey. Oh well, I guess it's better to save it for another day. This just means no triple crown this year. The exact same sentiments were heard from other riders, and they were wearing Death Ride and Terrible Two jerseys!
I did hook up with John (Dauphin) on the rest stops. Good to see him for a change. He was not suffering as bad as I was, but he was still willing to accept a spritz from the gal at the rest stop. I'm not sure who had more fun, the spritzer or John?
It was a long day ... 136 miles and 7500 feet climbing, and my leg still under recovery, so no riding today.
More pics at https://spingineer.smugmug.com/galler...38801460_ziCMU
With temps expected to be in high 90's, and low 100's, heat and hydration would become an issue. With this in mind, I decided to bring my camelback. I could also stuff a lot of junk in there.
As promised, we all took off at 4 am. The goal was to finish the ride in daylight. We started out in pitch blackness, which was a challenge in itself. Since we took off before the supported start time, directions could be challenging. Normally, a yellow flashing light at an intersection would warn you about a turn, but the turn to the first rest stop was not there when we got there. This added an extra 1-2 miles to our ride. When we made the U-turn, we did see the flashing light, and the flagman. We all said "That wasn't there when we first approached it. Major failure on that course marshall!"
Probably the most famous rider in the double is this little girl, who rode stoker on the tandem with her dad. Someone asked her dad if she contributed any power during the ride, and he said no. That's quite impressive for him to pull the whole load, especially with all the climbs we did.
After a short stop, we continued, and got into a nice paceline. I was riding behind Pete, and didn't call out a big 6 inch pothole, that I couldn't avoid. Next thing ya know, 1 mile later, I flatted. The group went on ahead, while I fix my flat. I figure I should be able to catch up with them later ... NOT!!! Dang it ... if only the pothole was called out!
Sun came out as we do our first climb, up Monticello Dam. As always, fantastic view as we pass it.
I eventually caught up with Dan (LanceOldStrong), my roommate at the second rest stop. Good ... I didn't want to ride the rest of the double solo, and neither did he.
We rode together, trading leads for the next 50 miles or so. Everything was going fine, until just before reaching the rest stop before the Cobb Mountain climb. Two things happened ... first, a tandem flatted on a really fast descent, and wound up in a ditch on the other side of the road. They eventually had to be airlifted. Hope they come out okay. Second, on the flat stretch coming into the 4th rest stop, I leg cramps up. This was the first time my leg cramps up like that ... oh, this is not good, especially with the toughest part of the ride coming up. I had to stop off to the side of the road, and Dan comes along to help out with some very useful stretching exercise, and e-caps.
After a bit of rest, and re-fueling, we're off to Cobb. Dan went up ahead, and that's the last I saw of him. I struggle up Cobb Mountain climb, and the heat at this point was just getting unbearable. Not only was I battling leg cramps, and heat, but Cobb is 17% at some stretches. It got so bad, that I had to abandon my pride and get off the bike, and yes, walk it for about 1000 yards. There were about 20 others who suffered the same fate. In fact, one of the SAG drivers saw so many suffering, she parked her car halfway up, with water, and to douse our heads with water. That felt great. Why is it that the end is a lot further along than you were anticipating it to be?
I finally caught up with Dan at the lunch stop, but he was ready to roll, so we bid goodbye at that point. I was really hurting bad, and I just needed to take a long rest here, and more importantly, eat. So I devoured a full bowl of pasta salad, plus a turkey and roast beef sandwich. I was hoping this would be enough to take me through Resurrection, but it was not in the cards. Resurrection is not that tough a hill, but it is long and more gradual. The heat was getting to its peak in the low 100's, and that was draining my energy. I was in my granny gear, and still couldn't get more than 3 mph. I ended up stopping a few more times on that climb, and it was not even in the shade.
It's strange, I know it's hot, and need to stay hydrated, but no matter what I did, after taking a swig, my mouth still had this cotton dry feeling. It's like no matter how much fluids I intake, it wouldn't go in. It was also a bad sign that I didn't have to pee. I know I was drinking, as I did have to keep filling up my camelback, but I was still not staying hydrated enough. I wasn't cramping anymore, but I still couldn't get any power into my legs. I just couldn't turn the crank at all. All the preparations I made ... Wine Country in the rain, Primavera in the heat, and it all didn't prepare me for this. I guess I didn't have enough heat training.
At the Resurrection rest stop, I decided I cannot go anymore. I know there is a little down, then a little up, then it's 60 miles downhill or tailwind all the way back to the finish, so the climbing for the most part was done. I normally would have just gone on ahead, but my leg was cramping so badly, and energy was so low, I just couldn't go. Major failure here ... first time I've ever DNF'd and SAGged in a ride. What's worse, I'm sagging in, wearing a Triple Crown jersey. Oh well, I guess it's better to save it for another day. This just means no triple crown this year. The exact same sentiments were heard from other riders, and they were wearing Death Ride and Terrible Two jerseys!
I did hook up with John (Dauphin) on the rest stops. Good to see him for a change. He was not suffering as bad as I was, but he was still willing to accept a spritz from the gal at the rest stop. I'm not sure who had more fun, the spritzer or John?
It was a long day ... 136 miles and 7500 feet climbing, and my leg still under recovery, so no riding today.
More pics at https://spingineer.smugmug.com/galler...38801460_ziCMU
Last edited by spingineer; 05-17-09 at 03:36 PM.
05-17-09, 03:19 PM
#29
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Great ride!
...In all a memorable ride. It was fun meeting lots of new people. I hadn't ridden the stretch between the construction and Guinda before. I was riding an endorphin high through there (I think my buddy wanted to just kill me since this was his absolute lowest point). That stretch was my all-time favorite for the ride. The geological formations were amazing.
...In all a memorable ride. It was fun meeting lots of new people. I hadn't ridden the stretch between the construction and Guinda before. I was riding an endorphin high through there (I think my buddy wanted to just kill me since this was his absolute lowest point). That stretch was my all-time favorite for the ride. The geological formations were amazing.
kjfitz-I lead a ride occasionally from the casino up 16 through the canyon to 20 and back. Next time will be in the fall. You're welcome to join us...
05-17-09, 03:55 PM
#30
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All of you guys are awesome or nuts, I'm not sure which.
05-17-09, 06:06 PM
#31
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You are all incredibly crazy!! Kudos to each and every one who climbed on a bike that day! I can't even comprehend doing 200 miles in one shot, and neither can my butt.
You're all too 'htfu' for words in my mind. 
As far as the tandem, at headquarters, we were told they hit a pothole, the handlebars twisted/ torqued sideways, and the stoker may have gone a bit airborne, and came down hard. Got a call from the hospital later that they were 'okay' but we didn't know if that meant after being patched up, and the extent of being patched up ~ but we were all relieved to hear they were 'ok'.
You're all too 'htfu' for words in my mind. As far as the tandem, at headquarters, we were told they hit a pothole, the handlebars twisted/ torqued sideways, and the stoker may have gone a bit airborne, and came down hard. Got a call from the hospital later that they were 'okay' but we didn't know if that meant after being patched up, and the extent of being patched up ~ but we were all relieved to hear they were 'ok'.
05-17-09, 06:24 PM
#32
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Thanks for the news overthere; sad to hear about the accident. The road immediately after the last rest stop had developed some very dramatic potholes. We too saw a victim there, already being attended to - hopefully only for technical problems. This little stoker wore the biggest smile all day long.
Thanks to all the volunteers !!!; many of them braved the heat all day long. We cyclists did at least have some air flow - when not climbing resurrection.
Thanks to all the volunteers !!!; many of them braved the heat all day long. We cyclists did at least have some air flow - when not climbing resurrection.
05-17-09, 06:24 PM
#33
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Thanks for the update, Overthere. I've been on a few rides with the couple on the tandem, and it's good to hear they are 'ok'.
05-17-09, 06:52 PM
#34
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Wow, congrats to everyone who rode yesterday! 
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Countries I've ridden in: US, Canada, Ireland, UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, China, Singapore, Malaysia
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Countries I've ridden in: US, Canada, Ireland, UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, China, Singapore, Malaysia
States I've ridden in: Illinois, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, California, Nevada, Missouri, Colorado
05-17-09, 07:00 PM
#35
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05-17-09, 07:33 PM
#36
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05-17-09, 07:48 PM
#37
Don't mince words
I finished my first double! 206 miles. I had a couple of missed turns here and there which added 3 miles to the 203 mile course. 14:10 ride time.
Thank you very much Pete for hanging out at the finish to greet me. You are a prince.
I got a room in Dixon last night with my family who surprised me at the finish. My wife called me when I was at the last rest stop (25 miles out) and let me know she was there. Boy did that bring the legs back to more than full strength. A woman at the hotel this morning told me her bike computer registered 127 degrees on road temperature yesterday.
The last 65 miles were some of the best times I have ever had on a bike. At the stop at the top of Resurrection grade, Britpower asked me to ride with her and make sure she finished.
We cooled down in the shade drank a bunch, forced some food down and set off with her on my wheel.
I would make a good domestique I think. I can't climb worth beans but the big diesel engine can pull a line all day. Once Britpower's legs came back I kept picking up the speed, being careful not to put her in difficulty or ride off without her.The line I was pulling grew and grew and we rolled into Davis with 10 or 12 riders shooting along in our slipstream. It felt pretty epic.
Britpower helped me more than I helped her I think. Having a mission gave me a higher calling than just limping to the finish and the objective of making sure such a strong rider as her finished in good shape gave me so much motivation it was incredible.
I feel great today, just tired. I used Perpetuom, Endurolytes, Nuun and drank constantly so not one cramp all day. I adjusted my pace to the conditions on Cobb Mountain and Resurrection Grade and I saved energy for a strong finish. I am very satisfied with my effort.
Congrats to Pete, Britpower and Curtis.
Thank you very much Pete for hanging out at the finish to greet me. You are a prince.
I got a room in Dixon last night with my family who surprised me at the finish. My wife called me when I was at the last rest stop (25 miles out) and let me know she was there. Boy did that bring the legs back to more than full strength. A woman at the hotel this morning told me her bike computer registered 127 degrees on road temperature yesterday.
The last 65 miles were some of the best times I have ever had on a bike. At the stop at the top of Resurrection grade, Britpower asked me to ride with her and make sure she finished.
We cooled down in the shade drank a bunch, forced some food down and set off with her on my wheel.
I would make a good domestique I think. I can't climb worth beans but the big diesel engine can pull a line all day. Once Britpower's legs came back I kept picking up the speed, being careful not to put her in difficulty or ride off without her.The line I was pulling grew and grew and we rolled into Davis with 10 or 12 riders shooting along in our slipstream. It felt pretty epic.
Britpower helped me more than I helped her I think. Having a mission gave me a higher calling than just limping to the finish and the objective of making sure such a strong rider as her finished in good shape gave me so much motivation it was incredible.
I feel great today, just tired. I used Perpetuom, Endurolytes, Nuun and drank constantly so not one cramp all day. I adjusted my pace to the conditions on Cobb Mountain and Resurrection Grade and I saved energy for a strong finish. I am very satisfied with my effort.
Congrats to Pete, Britpower and Curtis.
Congratulations to all!
05-17-09, 08:29 PM
#38
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05-17-09, 08:43 PM
#39
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05-17-09, 08:51 PM
#40
Lance Legweak
Spingineer, everything you described sounds like heat exhaustion. Sometimes your body just can't cool down. If you didn't have to urinate that's because you were perspiring so fast it didn't collect (and with exercise, at least for short term the body stops having to urinate). Your electrolytes were depleted, so Gatorade or similar can help, but the biggest problem is that it can take up to two weeks to get acclimated to a new temperature. The fact that you were able to do what you did under these conditions tells of your good physical condition, so don't go beating yourself up. I rode a couple of hours the other day, and it was only in the 80's, and I stayed well hydrated, yet the heat still got to me, so riding hills in 90+ to 100 degree heat is going to be brutal!
Next time hydrate really well before the ride then make sure you sip water or a Gatorade type product, usually watered down 50%, for several hours after you're done. If you drink too much too fast you'll just pee it out.
Hopefully next year I'll be able to join you, but for this year I was too hot just volunteering for a couple of hours at the finish! My hats off to you and all participants.
Dan'o :} Formerly a Certified Athletic Trainer and EMT.
Next time hydrate really well before the ride then make sure you sip water or a Gatorade type product, usually watered down 50%, for several hours after you're done. If you drink too much too fast you'll just pee it out.
Hopefully next year I'll be able to join you, but for this year I was too hot just volunteering for a couple of hours at the finish! My hats off to you and all participants.
Dan'o :} Formerly a Certified Athletic Trainer and EMT.
05-17-09, 09:42 PM
#41
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I'm back from my very good REI bike mechanics class. I've loved reading all the reports and I'll add mine, without being too redundant I hope.
I enjoyed dinner with BritPower, LanceOldStrong and Taxi777. The pasta was so much better than normal ride pasta we actually talked to the cook about it.
I was thrilled to have a chance to chat with the jersey designer. As you might know, the jersey and its high-quality design were major motivations for me doing this ride. I even got a copy of the poster using the design, so I'm double happy.
We met to leave 4 a.m., and I felt kinda bad that BritPower wasn't there with us, but I knew if I was going to survive I needed to launch on time. I figured she'd pass me at some point anyway...
I like riding in the dark with lights. It's magical seeing the sky lighten and eventually see the sunrise. We joked and laughed and rolled pretty well. I swear the corner marshal and sign weren't there when we rolled past the turn, even though both were on our return.
Then, well, I blame it all on LanceOldStrong, who set a blistering pace for many miles. As the sun got light enough to see my speedometer I saw we were well above 20 for an extended period. For several minutes we were running at 27. This is not a speed I ride on level ground. I eventually got smart enough to let them go before permanent damage was done, though I do think that later I paid dearly for the mornings speed run.
I caught them at rest stop 2 (or was it 3) afer the lake. I hate stopping, so I grabbed water and rode off alone.
I rode a smart Cobb (for me) I took it easy from the start. Last year I had to stop three times on the way up to let my heart rate settle. This year, no stopping. No speed, but no stopping.
I met Pete, and we descended together and hit lunch together.
Again, I'm afraid if I waited too long I'll stop moving, so I left quickly, figuring Pete would catch me like he always does.
The ride from lunch to the next rest stop was harder than last year. I've never hurt so badly, or for so long, on a bike. I'm pleased I didn't stop at all, but it was ride-ugly survival-style riding, barely turning the pedals. I'd miscalculated the distance to the rest stop and kept thinking--for five steep miles -- it was right around the next bend. I think that's why I made it, I kept thinking I was almost there.
I was almost ready to leave when Pete sagged in. I was amazed. But seeing me alive seemed to cure him. I think he likes me. He rested a moment, decided he didn't want to wait to be sagged in, and he took off. Even though he seemed beat moments before, I couldn't keep up with him going uphill the next half mile. Go figure.
We limped down the valley and into the next rest stop. Again, I left early and eventually Pete came by on a paceline. We hit the next rest stops together, and rolled in together for the second time in two years.
NOTES:
I'm amazed how hard it is to think when I'm that hot and tired. Just doing the tasks I'd dreamed about riding uphill: Get water, hit restroom, sunscreen up, adjust computer, record for podcast, make a photo were SO hard to remember, and I had trouble figuring out what to do first, second, and third.
I got through on Hammer products (HEED and Perpetium). I didn't eat real food at all until mile 140, where I had a half of peanut butter sandwich. All teh drinking that liquid and not having to deal with chew food worked for me.
Smarter this year: I didn't just fill my bottles at the rests. I drank more than 1 full bottle, then refilled and left.
I am still beat and find myself having odd mental lapses. Hope I'm better Monday!
More photos, in no order, without captions...
I enjoyed dinner with BritPower, LanceOldStrong and Taxi777. The pasta was so much better than normal ride pasta we actually talked to the cook about it.
I was thrilled to have a chance to chat with the jersey designer. As you might know, the jersey and its high-quality design were major motivations for me doing this ride. I even got a copy of the poster using the design, so I'm double happy.
We met to leave 4 a.m., and I felt kinda bad that BritPower wasn't there with us, but I knew if I was going to survive I needed to launch on time. I figured she'd pass me at some point anyway...
I like riding in the dark with lights. It's magical seeing the sky lighten and eventually see the sunrise. We joked and laughed and rolled pretty well. I swear the corner marshal and sign weren't there when we rolled past the turn, even though both were on our return.
Then, well, I blame it all on LanceOldStrong, who set a blistering pace for many miles. As the sun got light enough to see my speedometer I saw we were well above 20 for an extended period. For several minutes we were running at 27. This is not a speed I ride on level ground. I eventually got smart enough to let them go before permanent damage was done, though I do think that later I paid dearly for the mornings speed run.
I caught them at rest stop 2 (or was it 3) afer the lake. I hate stopping, so I grabbed water and rode off alone.
I rode a smart Cobb (for me) I took it easy from the start. Last year I had to stop three times on the way up to let my heart rate settle. This year, no stopping. No speed, but no stopping.
I met Pete, and we descended together and hit lunch together.
Again, I'm afraid if I waited too long I'll stop moving, so I left quickly, figuring Pete would catch me like he always does.
The ride from lunch to the next rest stop was harder than last year. I've never hurt so badly, or for so long, on a bike. I'm pleased I didn't stop at all, but it was ride-ugly survival-style riding, barely turning the pedals. I'd miscalculated the distance to the rest stop and kept thinking--for five steep miles -- it was right around the next bend. I think that's why I made it, I kept thinking I was almost there.
I was almost ready to leave when Pete sagged in. I was amazed. But seeing me alive seemed to cure him. I think he likes me. He rested a moment, decided he didn't want to wait to be sagged in, and he took off. Even though he seemed beat moments before, I couldn't keep up with him going uphill the next half mile. Go figure.
We limped down the valley and into the next rest stop. Again, I left early and eventually Pete came by on a paceline. We hit the next rest stops together, and rolled in together for the second time in two years.
NOTES:
I'm amazed how hard it is to think when I'm that hot and tired. Just doing the tasks I'd dreamed about riding uphill: Get water, hit restroom, sunscreen up, adjust computer, record for podcast, make a photo were SO hard to remember, and I had trouble figuring out what to do first, second, and third.
I got through on Hammer products (HEED and Perpetium). I didn't eat real food at all until mile 140, where I had a half of peanut butter sandwich. All teh drinking that liquid and not having to deal with chew food worked for me.
Smarter this year: I didn't just fill my bottles at the rests. I drank more than 1 full bottle, then refilled and left.
I am still beat and find myself having odd mental lapses. Hope I'm better Monday!
More photos, in no order, without captions...
Last edited by cccorlew; 05-17-09 at 11:53 PM.
05-17-09, 10:02 PM
#42
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05-17-09, 10:25 PM
#44
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I did hook up with John (Dauphin) on the rest stops. Good to see him for a change. He was not suffering as bad as I was, but he was still willing to accept a spritz from the gal at the rest stop. I'm not sure who had more fun, the spritzer or John?
More pics at https://spingineer.smugmug.com/galler...38801460_ziCMU
More pics at https://spingineer.smugmug.com/galler...38801460_ziCMU
05-18-09, 08:37 AM
#46
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Congratulations to everyone who even started the double. I've been there when the temps have been over 100, it's not fun. With temps like that it just makes it a long miserable day.
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Make mine a double!
Make mine a double!
05-18-09, 09:35 AM
#47
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Man was it busy. Congrats to all those that were out there. Didn't have much time to take pictures but managed to snap a couple. Here are the relevant ones.
05-18-09, 09:48 AM
#48
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Wow! Congrats to all. I never road longer than 125 miles so such a ride seems daunting even under clement conditions. Under such a heat I cannot even comprehend how you can go the full 200 miles.
BRAVO!
BRAVO!
05-18-09, 10:06 AM
#49
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Nice photos. I'm thinking you caught my emotional states pretty darn well.
05-18-09, 10:23 AM
#50
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Good job you all. That is some epic heat to ride through.
