Race starts at 7:00. I set my internal clock for 4:00 so we could eat something and roll out at 5:00. 1200 of my closest friends would be there to join me on this little ride. My body knows that I like to hit the snooze button, so it started at 1:00am, then at 2, then again at 3. I finally got up at 4.
I got out of bed and started getting everything together. Truth be told, I staged everything except my bike the night before. I filled my water bottles, had some coffee, made a batch of oatmeal, and I was set. I arrived in front of the Rosier's just before 5 and waited for the caravan to begin. We headed out at 5 and got to the starting area without incident.
The tour had us set up in "corrals" according to our estimated finish time. I suppose this was to let the faster riders be up front as not to run over the slower riders. I estimated my ride time to be 4 hours. Kate and Ron estimated 4-1/2. Geoff, Lance, and Jacob also gave a 4 hour time. Jake, Lance & I hung back to start with Kate & Ron while Geoff went to the forward corral. After some safety announcements and the salute to our country by Jimi Hendrix's version of the Star Spangled Banner, we were off.
The ride started out pretty slowly with everyone getting out of the chute, but once we were past that, we rolled pretty good. I was hanging with Jake at about 22mph as we passed some and were passed by others. As the riders thinned, Jake & I got in a group the was really rolling. We had a slight downhill and we were making good time. I decided it was my turn to pull and moved to the front (which felt really good). Once we turned and started North, the course took a slightly uphill direction. That's when the group pulled away from me. I was moving pretty good, I thought, they were just moving better.
I figured to make my 4 hour time, I had to average 17.5mph with this uphill, I was still hanging in there. Before I knew it, we were turning on to Cave Creek Road. I was surprised how quickly we got there. Of course this was still uphill. I was starting to slow a bit now. This part of Cave Creek Road was steeper than the hill we'd been climbing and I felt it. Since this hill was a little steeper, I decided to get out of the big chain ring. Ahhh, much better. Slower, but better. Before I knew it, we were turning to head south down Pima Road. I stopped quickly at the aid station to refill water bottles and grab a banana.
Pima Road from Cave Creek to Dynamite is slightly downhill (not as much as I've already climbed), with rolling hills. I was re-hydrated and recharged. I flew down Pima! At this point, since most of the groups had pulled away, I was on my own. I got behind a couple guys a few times, but mostly it was all me. Left turn on to Dynamite. I blazed through the intersection pulling away from the guy I was drafting. There was a photographer at the corner waiting. I hope that picture surfaces somewhere. Maybe on the TdS Facebook page.
Dynamite was the steepest climb so far. i downshifted to my middle chain ring for a bit and decided I needed to go lower. My front derailleur decided it didn't want to go. WTF? I tried again, nothing. Shit. I knew there was an even bigger climb ahead and without the "granny ring" it was going to suck. I just sucked it up and hammered. At the aid station at the top of this climb, I got off refilled my bottles, had a banana and checked out my bike for any obvious reason for this derailleur issue. I couldn't find anything. Anyway, it was time for the nice 9 mile downhill. There was a crash a little more than half way down and the ambulance had to come. I hope the guy I saw laying on the ground is OK. At the bottom of the hill, we started to make our way into fountain hills. Nice rolling hills. Due to pushing a higher gear, my legs were now cramping. It's only been 37 miles! I told my legs to "shut up" and keep going. They did, albeit, at a slower pace.
On the way out of fountain Hills, we turned West onto Shea Blvd. This road is about the same pitch as Dynamite as far as steepness. There's a slight bend in the road and then, BAM! We went from slightly steep to steep. Keeping in mind that I had no granny ring, I decided that I was going to have to power through. I made it to the top and enjoyed the downhill! Strangely enough, it's not as steep as "9 mile" hill, but I went faster somehow.
By this time, my legs were really hurting. As I coasted during the downhills, I massaged them as best I could. What the hell? I've only experienced cramping in my legs once before and that was climbing a steep hill on the single speed. I knew what was going on there. This was all new.
At the last aid station, Kate & Ron caught up to me. We chatted for a few seconds and decided to head back out. Only 8 miles to go. 8 miles uphill, that is. Who decided to put that in the route? I finished only a coupe minutes ahead of the Rosiers. My clock time was 4:26:15 and my chip time was 4:22:18 (it took that long to get through the chute). My actual riding time was 4:05:00. Out of 966 finishers, I was 732. Not the best results, but I finished. I enjoyed the experience and would do it again.
What did I learn? Probably my biggest lesson learned is that I need to ride more hills. Most of my training rides are pretty much flat. I ride starting out from my house and the east valley is pretty flat. I need to branch out a bit and ride more hills. I also didn't ride much in the month of September. That needs to change for the next race. As I write this, my butt is sore, my legs are tight, and I can't wait to get back on the bike.
Before I finish, I would like to thank the Scottsdale Police and MCSO for holding traffic for us so we can continue to roll. I would also like to thanks all the voluteers at the aid stations and finish line for all your work. The families and friends of riders along the route were awesome! Thanks you for shouting words of encouragement - they helped. And to the ride organizers, thank you for a well organized, fun ride. If you know anyone in the aforementioned categories, please thank them on my behalf.
Keep it rubber side down!
I got out of bed and started getting everything together. Truth be told, I staged everything except my bike the night before. I filled my water bottles, had some coffee, made a batch of oatmeal, and I was set. I arrived in front of the Rosier's just before 5 and waited for the caravan to begin. We headed out at 5 and got to the starting area without incident.
The tour had us set up in "corrals" according to our estimated finish time. I suppose this was to let the faster riders be up front as not to run over the slower riders. I estimated my ride time to be 4 hours. Kate and Ron estimated 4-1/2. Geoff, Lance, and Jacob also gave a 4 hour time. Jake, Lance & I hung back to start with Kate & Ron while Geoff went to the forward corral. After some safety announcements and the salute to our country by Jimi Hendrix's version of the Star Spangled Banner, we were off.
The ride started out pretty slowly with everyone getting out of the chute, but once we were past that, we rolled pretty good. I was hanging with Jake at about 22mph as we passed some and were passed by others. As the riders thinned, Jake & I got in a group the was really rolling. We had a slight downhill and we were making good time. I decided it was my turn to pull and moved to the front (which felt really good). Once we turned and started North, the course took a slightly uphill direction. That's when the group pulled away from me. I was moving pretty good, I thought, they were just moving better.
I figured to make my 4 hour time, I had to average 17.5mph with this uphill, I was still hanging in there. Before I knew it, we were turning on to Cave Creek Road. I was surprised how quickly we got there. Of course this was still uphill. I was starting to slow a bit now. This part of Cave Creek Road was steeper than the hill we'd been climbing and I felt it. Since this hill was a little steeper, I decided to get out of the big chain ring. Ahhh, much better. Slower, but better. Before I knew it, we were turning to head south down Pima Road. I stopped quickly at the aid station to refill water bottles and grab a banana.
Pima Road from Cave Creek to Dynamite is slightly downhill (not as much as I've already climbed), with rolling hills. I was re-hydrated and recharged. I flew down Pima! At this point, since most of the groups had pulled away, I was on my own. I got behind a couple guys a few times, but mostly it was all me. Left turn on to Dynamite. I blazed through the intersection pulling away from the guy I was drafting. There was a photographer at the corner waiting. I hope that picture surfaces somewhere. Maybe on the TdS Facebook page.
Dynamite was the steepest climb so far. i downshifted to my middle chain ring for a bit and decided I needed to go lower. My front derailleur decided it didn't want to go. WTF? I tried again, nothing. Shit. I knew there was an even bigger climb ahead and without the "granny ring" it was going to suck. I just sucked it up and hammered. At the aid station at the top of this climb, I got off refilled my bottles, had a banana and checked out my bike for any obvious reason for this derailleur issue. I couldn't find anything. Anyway, it was time for the nice 9 mile downhill. There was a crash a little more than half way down and the ambulance had to come. I hope the guy I saw laying on the ground is OK. At the bottom of the hill, we started to make our way into fountain hills. Nice rolling hills. Due to pushing a higher gear, my legs were now cramping. It's only been 37 miles! I told my legs to "shut up" and keep going. They did, albeit, at a slower pace.
On the way out of fountain Hills, we turned West onto Shea Blvd. This road is about the same pitch as Dynamite as far as steepness. There's a slight bend in the road and then, BAM! We went from slightly steep to steep. Keeping in mind that I had no granny ring, I decided that I was going to have to power through. I made it to the top and enjoyed the downhill! Strangely enough, it's not as steep as "9 mile" hill, but I went faster somehow.
By this time, my legs were really hurting. As I coasted during the downhills, I massaged them as best I could. What the hell? I've only experienced cramping in my legs once before and that was climbing a steep hill on the single speed. I knew what was going on there. This was all new.
At the last aid station, Kate & Ron caught up to me. We chatted for a few seconds and decided to head back out. Only 8 miles to go. 8 miles uphill, that is. Who decided to put that in the route? I finished only a coupe minutes ahead of the Rosiers. My clock time was 4:26:15 and my chip time was 4:22:18 (it took that long to get through the chute). My actual riding time was 4:05:00. Out of 966 finishers, I was 732. Not the best results, but I finished. I enjoyed the experience and would do it again.
What did I learn? Probably my biggest lesson learned is that I need to ride more hills. Most of my training rides are pretty much flat. I ride starting out from my house and the east valley is pretty flat. I need to branch out a bit and ride more hills. I also didn't ride much in the month of September. That needs to change for the next race. As I write this, my butt is sore, my legs are tight, and I can't wait to get back on the bike.
Before I finish, I would like to thank the Scottsdale Police and MCSO for holding traffic for us so we can continue to roll. I would also like to thanks all the voluteers at the aid stations and finish line for all your work. The families and friends of riders along the route were awesome! Thanks you for shouting words of encouragement - they helped. And to the ride organizers, thank you for a well organized, fun ride. If you know anyone in the aforementioned categories, please thank them on my behalf.
Keep it rubber side down!
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