Saturday, June 25, 2011

The Next Step

The Tahoe ride is over, but my Road to the Century continues. Next weekend I have a metric century, The Delaware Doublecross - http://www.whiteclaybicycleclub.org/Events-WCBC/doublecross.htm

One thing just about everyone knows about Delaware (assuming they know it even exists), is that it's small! Many bicycle clubs have rides that cross their state, or cross the state and come back (doublecross) - these rides usually take days. In Delaware, we can do that in a mere metric century (about 62 miles)!

I have yet to finish a metric century, but for some reason I'm not concerned about finishing this one - perhaps it's because I rode 45 of the toughest miles I've ever experienced a few weeks ago! 62 flat, sea level miles seems like nothing!

On the century front, I've signed up for another century - once again, upon flat, sea level terrain. September 10 - The Amish Country Bike Tour - http://www.visitdover.com/amishcountrybiketour/

While most in this area are aware of the Amish of Lancaster County, many people don't know that we have an Amish settlement here in Delaware, just west of Dover. This ride includes a rest stop manned by the Amish, complete with pies and cookies! My kind of ride!

So the quest continues - and the training too. In fact, I'm heading out shortly to get a nice ride in today.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

The Finish Line

This ranks up there with some of the worst days I’ve ever had. I can honestly say I did not enjoy myself during this ride. Yes, the views were lovely, but there are lovely views in many places. The air was so thin I could not breathe after the first big climb (800 feet). It felt like I was breathing through a plastic bag with a pinhole in it. I was truly scared I wouldn’t be able to catch my breath. When I finally recovered, another hill appeared to take whatever air I had left in my lungs right back out.

Oh and did I mention it rained for about 75% of the ride, and it sleeted and hailed too, for good measure. When it wasn’t raining, it was still cold. I think the high was about 50F (and that didn't hit until well into the ride). So there were precious few times I was warm (with my three layers on) and most of the time I was just soaked to the core.

I did get through about 43 miles before I needed help. I had some motorized assistance up the 1,000 foot climb, and even downhill for most of the way. I was dropped off about 2 miles from the finish. And then I crossed the finish line.

The Road to the Century continues… but never again in Tahoe…

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Panic attack

I'm in my hotel room, the night before the ride, and I can hardly breathe. Tears are rolling down my face and I'm freaking out. I feel like I don't belong here. I know my sane side is saying that I've trained as hard as I could and I'll be able to make it so long as I don't stop pedaling. But my chest is tight, and my crazy side is trying to get me out of this. I just want to hide, or run, or do anything else but this. Damn my keen sense of flight.

I know I'll talk myself down from this ledge - or my teammates will (assuming they find me..hehe). But right now I'm not feeling like I can do this......

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Packed and ready to go

My suitcase is packed and sitting in my car. My computer bag is sitting waiting for my computer. I leave in about 2 hours for the airport and I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

For those who have been following me, you'll likely remember all the *LOUSY* weather I've faced on my many training rides - the 28 degree weather on the Icicle Metric in March; the 40+ MPH winds at the Ocean to Bay in April; the pouring rain during the Diabetes ride in May - not to mention the regular cold and wet weather we've had this whole spring here in Delaware. Well....it looks like that was meant to train me for America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride. From the AMBBR website:
.....
As of Tuesday, May 31, 2011:
Weather Forecast for Sunday, June 5, 2011.
Mostly Cloudy with 40% chance of showers or thunderstorms. Day-time high temperatures – 50-55F

At this time, the 20th Annual America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride will take place, Rain or Shine, as nearly 1600 Team In Training members are scheduled to travel from 59 different cities in the US / Canada and participate in the event. There is no option to reschedule this event.

Bike the West will do everything possible to provide for the Safety and Welfare of all participants, including the possibility of delaying the Start Time and/or altering the course routes, and providing additional SAG Transport Support for the course.

Please be prepared and dress accordingly for the possibility of showers.

We are also working on alternate indoor facilities if inclement weather should presents itself on June 5.
.....

Whee. Well, here goes. At worst, sounds like I might be doing 100 miles of laps around a velodrome...I'm actually laughing as I type this. What a crazy journey!