I am at mile 162.8; I just rode the last 22miles by myself! The temperature is finally fading from triple digits and I refill my water bottles I wonder how on earth I am going to get through the final 42miles of this event!
It has been a long day in the saddle so to speak and started at 5.45am at the Davis Veterans Memorial Hall, I was with my friend Tammy who battles with MS and had planned on starting at 5am but a little hiccup in early morning directions left us later than anticipated!
The first 23miles had been fairly fast paced and my polar CS 600 was showing an average of 23miles per hour, it helped that I had caught on to a train of 6 strong cyclists, must have looked funny when it was my time to pull having 6 guys behind me trying to draft my thin frame! By mile 56 I had climbed Cardiac Hill and the day was beginning to warm up considerably! I was very impressed with the organization and safety as on every turn there were volunteers with flags and when I crossed the Monticello Dam a good police presence. At this aid station I decided to buy water as the amount of riders at this station was amazing! Cyclists were slapping on sunscreen, asking for iced water and the hard part had not even begun yet! I even used the winery port a potties as the queue would have been 30more minutes! I was so grateful I had extra endurolytes, gel and Perpetuem with me!
By the time mile 95 appeared it was in the high 90s and according to my Polar monitor it would reach 110 degrees! The mistake I made at this station was to use the water.. which tasted funny, not thinking about it I set off for the 8.8 mile climb which went from an elevation of 1105 to 2810 feet! Fondly named Cobb Mountain! Oh my! It was hot, and in some parts steep! There seemed to be cyclists every where off their bikes, walking, resting or trying to puke! I refused to be a statistic and kept grinding up the incline I had sweat dripping into my face, my Rudy project glasses shielding my eyes from the ferocious glare of the sun. Just as I thought I had neared the top another turn revealed another climb! It was on this climb I saw an SC VELO jersey in front of me, it was my friend Brent we exchanged friendly banter and finally I rolled into the rest stop, not wanting to stay long I ended up there a good 20 odd minutes, the first thing I did was change my water unfortunately I would have to part with precious Hammer Fuel, I made up two fresh bottles and persuaded Brent to get back on his bike as he looked far to relaxed in a chair! I could not believe there were still 2 miles of climbing left and then a brutally steep downhill!
The traffic was light, and as I was descending out of no where dozen porches passed me! There were also a lot of snakes out that day sunning them selves on the side of the road! Unfortunately a tandem blew out its front tire and both riders ended up on back boards heading for the hospital! This really made me cautious of how fast I descended! At mile 117 I rolled in to the rest stop, here the organizers were busy getting ice and tube socks! We all sat to rest in the shade with these socks full of ice wrapped around our necks to cool us off and we still had one more climb to do! At this point I was concerned about my friend Tammy and thought to call her as her MS is not good in heat and that climb would be an awful experience. To my relief Tammy had decided to call it a day at mile 95, still a remarkable feat considering the heat and Cardiac Hill! I avoided the smorgasbord of food offered and stayed with my liquid nutrition; I left this stop with Brent and his brother.
The traffic became more intense as we rode along the Highway then another dreaded climb began, it was not as bad as Cobb Mountain in grade but it was 17 miles long, it was hot and the road had traffic, I kept telling myself nearly there, I would sight a cyclist in front of me and work to pass them, just as I thought I could go no further a mirage of an aid station appeared on Walker Ridge Summit! Here I needed ice, there was tired over heated cyclists some with their shoes off and soaking their feet in baby swimming pools of iced water! Yes it really was a hot day for cycling! I took advantage of a tube sock full of ice and wrapped it around my neck! When I set off for a very steep descent it felt great having the cool sock on! It was so hot that the asphalt seemed to radiate the heat under my glasses; even the downhill offered no relief. I tried to focus on the route, it really was a beautiful place to do a 200 mile bike ride, the view was breathtaking I had cycled passed vineyards, creeks and beautiful green rolling landscapes. I came to reality as there was a road crew directing cyclists around newly laid asphalt, then I was on my own for a while, I wish I could have cycled into the small creek I could see, there was SAG vehicles passing me with tired cyclists who had called it a day, I kept on forward and now find my self at mile 162.8!
I had run out of Perpetuem (think bad water and fresh bottles) I still had Hammergel and endurolytes, I so badly wanted to call it a day! I was surrounded by cyclists in various stages of tiredness I sprayed my legs and neck with Kool n Fit, sort of made me feel good, then Brent rolled in and I burst out laughing! Believe me after 12 hours of riding a bike you can see humor in the strangest of places, he looked at me and asked what I was laughing at and I replied I thought I felt bad until I saw you roll in! Luckily he is a veteran of doubles, even though he looked wasted he took the bait and I followed his wheel for the next 18 miles which was flat and fast! Having company in the final miles was great, there were two more rest stations and with all double the last one usually has cup a noodles, boiled potatoes hot chocolate! We stopped and topped up our stomachs, the cool temperatures refreshing, it was time to put on our rear lights and head lights, night was closing in and there was 19 miles left, Life is good I thought I could see Davis so close, and then drat…Brent stopped at the Plainfield Fire Station! Another 15 minutes! I could not believe he chowed through two grilled cheese sandwiches and 2 cups of chili!! There was only 7 miles left to go!!!
The last 7 miles seemed forever then we were unclipping the adventure of 205 miles was over! It had been a long day with many cyclists caving into the heat, snakes, blown out tires and brutal climbs! I personally was happy to disconnect from my saddle! Now it was all over and I went in to the finish hall to sign in. I was greeted by my friend Tammy who was happy with her 95 miles of riding. My hat goes off to Davis Bike Club who organize this event, every aid station was well manned, porta potties available, and SAG support unbelievable! Volunteers on all corners and plenty of ice for the hot weather!
Thanks to Avon of Puerto Rico this ride raised $1435 for a cure for Breast Cancer, my thanks to Hammer Nutrition, Serfas tires, Polar Monitors, Rudy Project helmets and glasses, Profile-Design, Fuel Belt, Kool n Fit, my friend Tammy and her husband Dan for driving down there, and of course my Husband Al!
