Ever since I was a young teenager I wanted to know what it was like to be at the "end" of things. Hurry up! How does it end?!!
This translated to a lot of `starting up' to be able to get to the `end' sooner.
Though I'm in my mid 60's I don't have a sense of personal mortality. Not even a hint. I still see the times of TdF racers and say to myself: "When I retire I'll have more time to train. I can beat that time!"
In a `rational' universe that statement makes as much sense as what I said on a recent long 144 mile training ride. Stopping off at a country firehouse I asked the fire fighters: "You guys got any water?"
Looking, though, at the numbers I realize that I've probably got fewer years ahead of me than behind me.
And that gives me some pause: I now realize that the `end' of things presages nothing more than the `repetition' of things.
In a weird way that is reassuring.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Ride Across INdiana (RAIN) 2010
I left Chicago Saturday morning around 2:am and got to Terre Haute around 6:15am. (I had to stop along the way to take a 15 minute nap because I was having a hard time staying awake).
I parked at the Drury Inn in TH and biked the 7 miles to the start line but got there about 2 minutes late. That didn't matter though as my plan was to be the last person leaving, anyway. It seemed like 2000 riders piled out of a small country lane on to US 40, taking aboout 10 full minutes. I waited at the intersection of the country lane and US 40 just to watch the spectacle and saw several bents. When I was sure there was no more `juice in the orange' I just pulled out and rode up a small 4 - 5% quarter mile hill before the route smoothed out.
I saw a number of riders on bents and/or tandem bents yesterday on the Rice Across INdiana. It was a warm to hot day all day. Fortunately I didn't see any accidents, let alone near accidents.
We had a nice SWS tailwind of about 5 - 7 mph. Local drivers were mindful of the riders. And many people in the towns we passed through were happy to see us. About 30 miles out I saw a rider changing a flat tire while one of the townsfolk was holding up an electric fan next to him to keep him cool. What a riot!!
RAIN is a fun ride when riders are careful. A real challenge to riders is when the ride route bends south around Indianapolis into the rural residential neighborhoods. Narrow 2 lane roads with little shoulder. Lots of 90 degree turns -- and this is what makes for dangerous accidents.
I had two flat tires along the route, taking about 50 minutes to fix, total. And then I completely missed the second `rest stop' where I had intended to refill water bottles. This required me to stop at a local store to purchase water.
I finished the route (155 miles this year) in 8:04:00 riding time. Except for the two flat tires I spent only 11 minutes off the bike (water, bathroom). Elapsed time was 9:01:00.
I passed at least a dozen DF pace lines along the way. At a stoplight the leader of a paceline leaned over to me and said "You were really flying on that thing!" I responded: "Nickel body. Dollar bike." And we both had a good laugh.
I think my average mph was 19.40 for the course. This was my 11th RAIN and I think I finished it close to 2 hours 45 minutes faster than ever before. If it weren't for the clumsy starts, stops, spooky turns, etc, of that section around Indianapolis I think my time would have been about 30 minutes faster.
After about 100 miles, I was still passing pacelines. I realized then that because I missed the 2nd rest stop, bought water and canned soup at a local store along the way, purposely passed up the 3rd rest stop (the school) I must have been pedalling while the speeders were hanging out at rest stops.
After Dunreith (around 130 miles) I started to cramp up. Not sure what that was about but I doubled my hydration and ate two candy bars I picked up at Dunreith. I stopped at a closed small factory and filled the water bottles at a water faucet on the side of the building.
Cramping slowed me down for about 5 miles. Right quad, left abdominal muscle (I've concluded that the abdominal muscle is my warning system telling me to hydrate more). Had about two Endurolyte pills every 90 minutes.
Never had cramps on RAW (DNF'd). The fact that I had a crew and that the `dry heat' is actually easier to handle than the heat and humidity of the midwest ... makes hydration in the midwest particularly important.
I parked at the Drury Inn in TH and biked the 7 miles to the start line but got there about 2 minutes late. That didn't matter though as my plan was to be the last person leaving, anyway. It seemed like 2000 riders piled out of a small country lane on to US 40, taking aboout 10 full minutes. I waited at the intersection of the country lane and US 40 just to watch the spectacle and saw several bents. When I was sure there was no more `juice in the orange' I just pulled out and rode up a small 4 - 5% quarter mile hill before the route smoothed out.
I saw a number of riders on bents and/or tandem bents yesterday on the Rice Across INdiana. It was a warm to hot day all day. Fortunately I didn't see any accidents, let alone near accidents.
We had a nice SWS tailwind of about 5 - 7 mph. Local drivers were mindful of the riders. And many people in the towns we passed through were happy to see us. About 30 miles out I saw a rider changing a flat tire while one of the townsfolk was holding up an electric fan next to him to keep him cool. What a riot!!
RAIN is a fun ride when riders are careful. A real challenge to riders is when the ride route bends south around Indianapolis into the rural residential neighborhoods. Narrow 2 lane roads with little shoulder. Lots of 90 degree turns -- and this is what makes for dangerous accidents.
I had two flat tires along the route, taking about 50 minutes to fix, total. And then I completely missed the second `rest stop' where I had intended to refill water bottles. This required me to stop at a local store to purchase water.
I finished the route (155 miles this year) in 8:04:00 riding time. Except for the two flat tires I spent only 11 minutes off the bike (water, bathroom). Elapsed time was 9:01:00.
I passed at least a dozen DF pace lines along the way. At a stoplight the leader of a paceline leaned over to me and said "You were really flying on that thing!" I responded: "Nickel body. Dollar bike." And we both had a good laugh.
I think my average mph was 19.40 for the course. This was my 11th RAIN and I think I finished it close to 2 hours 45 minutes faster than ever before. If it weren't for the clumsy starts, stops, spooky turns, etc, of that section around Indianapolis I think my time would have been about 30 minutes faster.
After about 100 miles, I was still passing pacelines. I realized then that because I missed the 2nd rest stop, bought water and canned soup at a local store along the way, purposely passed up the 3rd rest stop (the school) I must have been pedalling while the speeders were hanging out at rest stops.
After Dunreith (around 130 miles) I started to cramp up. Not sure what that was about but I doubled my hydration and ate two candy bars I picked up at Dunreith. I stopped at a closed small factory and filled the water bottles at a water faucet on the side of the building.
Cramping slowed me down for about 5 miles. Right quad, left abdominal muscle (I've concluded that the abdominal muscle is my warning system telling me to hydrate more). Had about two Endurolyte pills every 90 minutes.
Never had cramps on RAW (DNF'd). The fact that I had a crew and that the `dry heat' is actually easier to handle than the heat and humidity of the midwest ... makes hydration in the midwest particularly important.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Pics
Some pics taken by Allan Duhm, my crew chief, from the Race Across the West.
http://picasaweb.google.com/psychling/RaceAcrossTheWest2010Photos#
These are pics taken by my son, James.
http://picasaweb.google.com/fallonmms/DFRaw02#
And this is a short video taken by my son, James.
http://picasaweb.google.com/fallonmms/DFRAW#
After about 415 miles in 28 hours I arrived at Congress, AZ. Time Station # 6. I was fine from the waist up. No heat problem. We had pretty much worked out the food problem. The `runs' had stopped running. I don't think I was dehydrated (no symptoms that I can recall but I DO think that one should hydrate more than I did -- electrolyte matters being equal). I just didn't have the legs for it. I wasn't dizzy. But when I stood up I couldn't recruit the dozens of autonomic small muscle movements we need to remain stable in the upright position. That, and a recognition that I didn't likely have the stamina to get past Mingus Mountain.
I'd done Yarnell Grade, Skull Valley, Mingus Mountain, through Sedona and up to Flagstaff in the past. It's important to know what you're doing. And when you decide to not do it ... it's based on knowledge, not loss of will.
I just didn't have the miles of training necessary for the entire RAW route. There's really not a lot of surprise to it. I knew it was a `long shot' but I really, really wanted to do it. And, I was very much looking forward to having my crew and I together to participate -- from the inside out -- in one of the world's most incredible endurance events.
http://picasaweb.google.com/psychling/RaceAcrossTheWest2010Photos#
These are pics taken by my son, James.
http://picasaweb.google.com/fallonmms/DFRaw02#
And this is a short video taken by my son, James.
http://picasaweb.google.com/fallonmms/DFRAW#
After about 415 miles in 28 hours I arrived at Congress, AZ. Time Station # 6. I was fine from the waist up. No heat problem. We had pretty much worked out the food problem. The `runs' had stopped running. I don't think I was dehydrated (no symptoms that I can recall but I DO think that one should hydrate more than I did -- electrolyte matters being equal). I just didn't have the legs for it. I wasn't dizzy. But when I stood up I couldn't recruit the dozens of autonomic small muscle movements we need to remain stable in the upright position. That, and a recognition that I didn't likely have the stamina to get past Mingus Mountain.
I'd done Yarnell Grade, Skull Valley, Mingus Mountain, through Sedona and up to Flagstaff in the past. It's important to know what you're doing. And when you decide to not do it ... it's based on knowledge, not loss of will.
I just didn't have the miles of training necessary for the entire RAW route. There's really not a lot of surprise to it. I knew it was a `long shot' but I really, really wanted to do it. And, I was very much looking forward to having my crew and I together to participate -- from the inside out -- in one of the world's most incredible endurance events.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
So much for the he-man mystique. Though I brought the bike and gear to work yesterday with the intention of riding after work through the night and day until 8pm tonight ... I just went home after work instead. Missed my wife. Working afternoons and evenings ... I don't see her enough. I was tired. Didn't want to be alone on the lonely dark roads. Wanted to be home with my honey and the dog.
Got up early this morning, out, drove the 60 miles to the country and started at 8:20am. Stopped at 6:30pm. Did 144 miles. Stopped at a country store, bought a ham and cheese sammich and brought it to the forest preserve where I park. Had a tasty pleasant lunch and took an hour nap in my truck there.
A good ride. Pushed it for quite a bit. Took my time at other times. Lots of nice folks on the road. Toodled around a few places I'd always been too much in a hurry to look at. A County Park. A country school complex.
Stopped to chat with a bunch of firemen sitting in the drive of the fire station in Burlington. I rolled up and said: "This is a stupid question to ask guys at a firehouse, but, do you have any water?" Offered me ice for my water bottles, too. Quintessential American country: "Hot enough for 'ya?"
A pickup truck with a few Mexican workers sitting in the back passed me on a long stretch of road and they and I broke out in big smiles and thumbs up and hand waves.
Can be very quiet and even lonely in the country prairie. Makes the infrequent contact with others that much more poignant.
Got up early this morning, out, drove the 60 miles to the country and started at 8:20am. Stopped at 6:30pm. Did 144 miles. Stopped at a country store, bought a ham and cheese sammich and brought it to the forest preserve where I park. Had a tasty pleasant lunch and took an hour nap in my truck there.
A good ride. Pushed it for quite a bit. Took my time at other times. Lots of nice folks on the road. Toodled around a few places I'd always been too much in a hurry to look at. A County Park. A country school complex.
Stopped to chat with a bunch of firemen sitting in the drive of the fire station in Burlington. I rolled up and said: "This is a stupid question to ask guys at a firehouse, but, do you have any water?" Offered me ice for my water bottles, too. Quintessential American country: "Hot enough for 'ya?"
A pickup truck with a few Mexican workers sitting in the back passed me on a long stretch of road and they and I broke out in big smiles and thumbs up and hand waves.
Can be very quiet and even lonely in the country prairie. Makes the infrequent contact with others that much more poignant.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Why I Don't Take Pictures / Videos / Photographs
No pictures. I don't take pictures.
Somehow I don't feel the need to memorialize in digital format what mother nature meant my memory to do, i.e., to distort, exaggerate and romanticize.
Every time I look at pictures of me I feel `let down.' Jowels. Mortality marches on.
When I look at my family, friends and associates I'm bouyed. I am reminded of their kindness and generosity. Their good humor.
One's perceptions float around in a pool of neural connections, weird chemicals and electrical farts. The ultimate good purpose of this `pool' is:
Pictures take away from memory too often. And the stories we tell ourselves are too important to leave alone, without a context of sensation, meaning, and value.
Somehow I don't feel the need to memorialize in digital format what mother nature meant my memory to do, i.e., to distort, exaggerate and romanticize.
Every time I look at pictures of me I feel `let down.' Jowels. Mortality marches on.
When I look at my family, friends and associates I'm bouyed. I am reminded of their kindness and generosity. Their good humor.
One's perceptions float around in a pool of neural connections, weird chemicals and electrical farts. The ultimate good purpose of this `pool' is:
- to protect us from past painful experiences,
- to stimulate pleasure without the use of drugs (legal or otherwise),
Pictures take away from memory too often. And the stories we tell ourselves are too important to leave alone, without a context of sensation, meaning, and value.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Recently I was asked a few questions about some things on RAW. I'm posting the questions and replies here:
First, I actually rode 415 miles. At Borrego Springs there is a roundabout with about 5 exits, all poorly marked. I was flying along and decided, without crew concurrence, to take the exit that seemed right. Five miles later the crew pulls up beside me and tells me I took the wrong exit. I rode back. My crew did their best to identify the next exit but it was wrong. About 6 miles later they tell me to stop. The load the bike into the van and drive me back to the roundabout. There we scan a little sign ("S1") that corresponds to the route book. And I'm off. Bonus miles.
1. What would you change specifically about your nutrition plan?
Emphatically:
A) I would not focus so exclusively on liquid fuel.
- In an effort to reduce the volume of liquid fuel I increased the concentration of calories, i.e., the maltodextrin/Sustained Energy mix was too dense. It was a thick syrup. My gut couldn't process so dense a concoction.
- I used a 70 oz bladder for water. It was a mistake to use Hammer Electrolyte powder in the water mix. Hammer Electrolyte powder doesn't fully dissolve (I learned). A semi-concretized sludge accumulates at the bottom of the bladder. Every bladder refill accumulated more Hammer sludge. In no time I was drinking a very concentrated muck of Hammer sludge. By the time we figured this out I was 5 bladders into the race and already suffering the runs. It took 5 `flushings' of teh bladder and a lot of shaking to clear out the sludge. From that point on I put nothing but water in the bladder, popping only Hammer Electrolyte pills (2 per hour).
- I drank an Ensure every hour or two, until after about 14 hours. Ensure, added to the above stuff, was just more too concentrated stuff.
My expectation was that my intestines could absorb this intense mix, that my body would burn it off, and my kidneys and ureters would send it out as pee. I was wrong. My intestines were overwhelmed by the concentrated formula and instead of sending it all to my ureters it simply resulted in the runs.
In the future I will rely less on concentrated liquid fuel and begin eating solids (real solids ... not peanut butter or semi-viscous energy bars) from the start. The liquid fuel will be much, much less concentrated. Frankly, I like meat and beef jerky.
2. How did you feel on the climbs?
I don't really think there were any real climbs, except for a few miles up over the coastal mountains and into Henshaw. And these were short, mild, fairly straightaway 6 - 7%ers.
(Though I stopped at Congress I've previously ridden to Prescott, up Mingus Mountain, up to Flagstaff. I knew what to expect, which is why I made the decision to stop at Congress.)
The climbs started at Congress, up Yarnell Grade. And still, though there were only a few `feet' of 9 - 10% climbs, there were no switchbacks, making it much easier to navigate.
On past YG the only other climb to Prescott was past Skull Valley, up into the Prescott National Forest (not a `tree' forest; a scrub high desert `brush' forest). In the PNF it was 4-7%ers at worst, excellent road, no switchbacks. But it was endless climbing for about 14 miles.
3. When you make your next attempt when your situation will actually allow you to train more optimally, how might you train?
First, I'd spend more time training. I could do that in Chicago if I didn't have a job. Chicago -- the midwest prairies -- isn't the `best' training for accomplishing a good performance on RAAM/RAW but when you do it 300 - 400 miles per week for 9 months you'll build endurance/capacity.
Second, I don't just want to `finish' RAW/RAAM if I do it next time. I want to go fast. Go fast. Fast.
I want to add heat, switchbacks, and lots of climbing to the `time' I put into the training. Can't do that in the prairie. (No matter what anyone tells you ... pushing into a 20mph prairie wind doesn't simulate climbing or switchbacks).
Retiring and moving to Prescott in the next 18 -24 months will give me the time, terrain and climate to train right.
4. Would you mind sharing some details and maybe some pictures of your bike?
I'm not that impressed with the differences between my Ti Aero and all the carbon fibre out there. No question the CFs offer benefits. But none so particular that would make more than .5% difference on a 750 mile, multiday race.
What matters is training, fuel, hydration and crew. And some ability to manage altitude (I must have some Tibetan ancestors because I have never been affected by altitude).
I ride a Bacchetta ti Aero. Zipp 404s. Schwalbe Ultremos. 56 big ring up front with two smaller rings. (the 56 made a huge difference when I had a tailwind). An 11-34 nine speed cassette in the back. Although I had a headrest I found that I didn't really use it except to anchor the Fastback pouch into which I put the bladder.
I won't use a bladder anymore. Nor a headrest. Instead I'm more likely to use a cage mount bottle holder attached to the hard shell seat. Even though the bottles will hold only 24 oz (as opposed to the 70 oz bladder) they will be easier and faster to replace than the bladder.
I have pics of my bike, the crew, clothing strategies in the heat, etc., at my picasa site:
http://picasaweb.google.com/psychlin...est2010Photos#
My son took a video: (the first minute is him videoing me snoring at night before the race ... his way of proving to me that I snore )
http://picasaweb.google.com/fallonmms/DFRAW#
5. What did you use for night lighting, and did you feel it was adequate?
Minimalist.
I used one Planet Bike blinkie for the back and one Planet bike headlight. I wanted the least weight possible, knowing that at night I'd have the crew vehicle (rules: bike can't move at night without follow van right behind it).
---------------------
I had a great time. I got several questions answered; several assumptions proven wrong; several assumptions verified.
Now I'm off to ride a 100+ in the prairie land.
First, I actually rode 415 miles. At Borrego Springs there is a roundabout with about 5 exits, all poorly marked. I was flying along and decided, without crew concurrence, to take the exit that seemed right. Five miles later the crew pulls up beside me and tells me I took the wrong exit. I rode back. My crew did their best to identify the next exit but it was wrong. About 6 miles later they tell me to stop. The load the bike into the van and drive me back to the roundabout. There we scan a little sign ("S1") that corresponds to the route book. And I'm off. Bonus miles.
1. What would you change specifically about your nutrition plan?
Emphatically:
A) I would not focus so exclusively on liquid fuel.
- In an effort to reduce the volume of liquid fuel I increased the concentration of calories, i.e., the maltodextrin/Sustained Energy mix was too dense. It was a thick syrup. My gut couldn't process so dense a concoction.
- I used a 70 oz bladder for water. It was a mistake to use Hammer Electrolyte powder in the water mix. Hammer Electrolyte powder doesn't fully dissolve (I learned). A semi-concretized sludge accumulates at the bottom of the bladder. Every bladder refill accumulated more Hammer sludge. In no time I was drinking a very concentrated muck of Hammer sludge. By the time we figured this out I was 5 bladders into the race and already suffering the runs. It took 5 `flushings' of teh bladder and a lot of shaking to clear out the sludge. From that point on I put nothing but water in the bladder, popping only Hammer Electrolyte pills (2 per hour).
- I drank an Ensure every hour or two, until after about 14 hours. Ensure, added to the above stuff, was just more too concentrated stuff.
My expectation was that my intestines could absorb this intense mix, that my body would burn it off, and my kidneys and ureters would send it out as pee. I was wrong. My intestines were overwhelmed by the concentrated formula and instead of sending it all to my ureters it simply resulted in the runs.
In the future I will rely less on concentrated liquid fuel and begin eating solids (real solids ... not peanut butter or semi-viscous energy bars) from the start. The liquid fuel will be much, much less concentrated. Frankly, I like meat and beef jerky.
2. How did you feel on the climbs?
I don't really think there were any real climbs, except for a few miles up over the coastal mountains and into Henshaw. And these were short, mild, fairly straightaway 6 - 7%ers.
(Though I stopped at Congress I've previously ridden to Prescott, up Mingus Mountain, up to Flagstaff. I knew what to expect, which is why I made the decision to stop at Congress.)
The climbs started at Congress, up Yarnell Grade. And still, though there were only a few `feet' of 9 - 10% climbs, there were no switchbacks, making it much easier to navigate.
On past YG the only other climb to Prescott was past Skull Valley, up into the Prescott National Forest (not a `tree' forest; a scrub high desert `brush' forest). In the PNF it was 4-7%ers at worst, excellent road, no switchbacks. But it was endless climbing for about 14 miles.
3. When you make your next attempt when your situation will actually allow you to train more optimally, how might you train?
First, I'd spend more time training. I could do that in Chicago if I didn't have a job. Chicago -- the midwest prairies -- isn't the `best' training for accomplishing a good performance on RAAM/RAW but when you do it 300 - 400 miles per week for 9 months you'll build endurance/capacity.
Second, I don't just want to `finish' RAW/RAAM if I do it next time. I want to go fast. Go fast. Fast.
I want to add heat, switchbacks, and lots of climbing to the `time' I put into the training. Can't do that in the prairie. (No matter what anyone tells you ... pushing into a 20mph prairie wind doesn't simulate climbing or switchbacks).
Retiring and moving to Prescott in the next 18 -24 months will give me the time, terrain and climate to train right.
4. Would you mind sharing some details and maybe some pictures of your bike?
I'm not that impressed with the differences between my Ti Aero and all the carbon fibre out there. No question the CFs offer benefits. But none so particular that would make more than .5% difference on a 750 mile, multiday race.
What matters is training, fuel, hydration and crew. And some ability to manage altitude (I must have some Tibetan ancestors because I have never been affected by altitude).
I ride a Bacchetta ti Aero. Zipp 404s. Schwalbe Ultremos. 56 big ring up front with two smaller rings. (the 56 made a huge difference when I had a tailwind). An 11-34 nine speed cassette in the back. Although I had a headrest I found that I didn't really use it except to anchor the Fastback pouch into which I put the bladder.
I won't use a bladder anymore. Nor a headrest. Instead I'm more likely to use a cage mount bottle holder attached to the hard shell seat. Even though the bottles will hold only 24 oz (as opposed to the 70 oz bladder) they will be easier and faster to replace than the bladder.
I have pics of my bike, the crew, clothing strategies in the heat, etc., at my picasa site:
http://picasaweb.google.com/psychlin...est2010Photos#
My son took a video: (the first minute is him videoing me snoring at night before the race ... his way of proving to me that I snore )
http://picasaweb.google.com/fallonmms/DFRAW#
5. What did you use for night lighting, and did you feel it was adequate?
Minimalist.
I used one Planet Bike blinkie for the back and one Planet bike headlight. I wanted the least weight possible, knowing that at night I'd have the crew vehicle (rules: bike can't move at night without follow van right behind it).
---------------------
I had a great time. I got several questions answered; several assumptions proven wrong; several assumptions verified.
Now I'm off to ride a 100+ in the prairie land.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Stopped but not finished - RAW 2010
I've not visited this blog since the last of May. The Race Across the West 2010 has come and gone and I'm so deep into my job and work that I'm just coming up for air.
First, I stopped at Time Station 6, Congress, Arizona, 392 miles into the 860 mile route. I think elapsed time was 28 hours. But riding (on the bike) time was 25 hours. I could try to be `cute' and say that I had all my questions answered before I had to do the rest of the Race. The fact is, though, that I was certain that I had nothing left.
Simple fact is that my assessment in March, that the whole RAW route would be more than I could train for by June, was correct. But I waaaannnnted to be in RAW, anyway. My training regimen was spot-on. I did the power work. I rode the long weekends. I just didn't have enough time to do more of it so that my endurance was there. The 392 miles that I did do, however, I think I did very well. A good start.
I owe a lot of people. I owe my wife, my family and my crew more than I can say. They supported me in every way possible. My son, David, drove the support van from Chicago all the way to San Diego. He had to fly back home but my other son, James, flew into San Diego to crew for me on the Race.
Allan Duhm was my crew chief and Jeff Clark was my mechanic. They were a solid size `10' to my size `5.' I could not have had a more informed, good natured, take-no-prisoners crew. They were supportive, demanding, accepting, whacky and made me feel like I didn't have to do anything but ride the bike.
After I stopped at Congress we all packed up and drove the 45 miles up Yarnell Grade, through Skull Valley and into Prescott, where my wife was waiting in a house we have in Prescott. Everybody had a good meal, drinks, conversation, showers, a comfy and clean bed for the night. Heaven!
The next morning Allan and James were able to rearrange their flight home from Durango to Phoenix. Jeff was off in a rented car to Durango where he had his bike shipped from home so that he could spend a few days on his own exploring the mountain bike heaven of Durango.
I recovered in 2.5 days and got back on the bike, riding from Prescott to Congress and back up Yarnell Grade, through Skull Valley and Prescott. Did these routes several times over the following week on my own. The area is an absolute `valhalla' for all kinds of cycling.
I had no cramps. The heat (103 - 107) didn't get to me. I hydrated well. My preparation --- for 400 miles --- was perfection. My fuel (nutrition) didn't `work.' Too much intensely rich liquid nutrition caused me to have a hard time, i.e., I had the `runs.' I was worried it might progress to dehydration but .... I didn't allow that. Next time I'll be more informed and experienced.
It's quite clear to me that my work life doesn't permit me to train for racing and competition. I might have been better prepared if I didn't live in a major urban city that freezes over in the winter. But I still think that I work too many hours to be able to compete at the level of which I'm capable. Two years and I won't be working anymore.
More, later. But .. would I do it all over again, knowing what I now know? Is the Pope Catholic?! Does a donkey have a tail?! Does a bear **** in the woods?!
- Dan
First, I stopped at Time Station 6, Congress, Arizona, 392 miles into the 860 mile route. I think elapsed time was 28 hours. But riding (on the bike) time was 25 hours. I could try to be `cute' and say that I had all my questions answered before I had to do the rest of the Race. The fact is, though, that I was certain that I had nothing left.
Simple fact is that my assessment in March, that the whole RAW route would be more than I could train for by June, was correct. But I waaaannnnted to be in RAW, anyway. My training regimen was spot-on. I did the power work. I rode the long weekends. I just didn't have enough time to do more of it so that my endurance was there. The 392 miles that I did do, however, I think I did very well. A good start.
I owe a lot of people. I owe my wife, my family and my crew more than I can say. They supported me in every way possible. My son, David, drove the support van from Chicago all the way to San Diego. He had to fly back home but my other son, James, flew into San Diego to crew for me on the Race.
Allan Duhm was my crew chief and Jeff Clark was my mechanic. They were a solid size `10' to my size `5.' I could not have had a more informed, good natured, take-no-prisoners crew. They were supportive, demanding, accepting, whacky and made me feel like I didn't have to do anything but ride the bike.
After I stopped at Congress we all packed up and drove the 45 miles up Yarnell Grade, through Skull Valley and into Prescott, where my wife was waiting in a house we have in Prescott. Everybody had a good meal, drinks, conversation, showers, a comfy and clean bed for the night. Heaven!
The next morning Allan and James were able to rearrange their flight home from Durango to Phoenix. Jeff was off in a rented car to Durango where he had his bike shipped from home so that he could spend a few days on his own exploring the mountain bike heaven of Durango.
I recovered in 2.5 days and got back on the bike, riding from Prescott to Congress and back up Yarnell Grade, through Skull Valley and Prescott. Did these routes several times over the following week on my own. The area is an absolute `valhalla' for all kinds of cycling.
I had no cramps. The heat (103 - 107) didn't get to me. I hydrated well. My preparation --- for 400 miles --- was perfection. My fuel (nutrition) didn't `work.' Too much intensely rich liquid nutrition caused me to have a hard time, i.e., I had the `runs.' I was worried it might progress to dehydration but .... I didn't allow that. Next time I'll be more informed and experienced.
It's quite clear to me that my work life doesn't permit me to train for racing and competition. I might have been better prepared if I didn't live in a major urban city that freezes over in the winter. But I still think that I work too many hours to be able to compete at the level of which I'm capable. Two years and I won't be working anymore.
More, later. But .. would I do it all over again, knowing what I now know? Is the Pope Catholic?! Does a donkey have a tail?! Does a bear **** in the woods?!
- Dan
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