Rev Rider

I was feeling grateful this morning as I pushed out of the house for the morning ride.  The sky was full of reds and golds as the new day was dawning.  Less than a mile into the ride, a fox ran across my path.  This fox was very fast and it wasn’t until it was nearly across the trail and into the woods on the other side that I noticed it.  A stealthy blur is what caught my eye.  I wonder if it was after prey.

Cardinals are some of the earliest birds I see.  They flit from about shoulder height to the ground and back again.  In the dim light they appear to be grey.  The blue jays make their presence known.  They shriek from the safety of the trees.  No other creatures seem to notice and so I ignore them too.  As I make my way to the bridge I encounter a couple of other riders on their way to work.  We gently speak our greetings so as not to upset the gradually waking day.

I wonder if the regular drivers crossing under the bridge note our grouping as much as the garbage truck drivers who pass by every morning on their appointed rounds.

Our group of riders push off, riding two abreast talking about the Tour de France, about upcoming rides, about rides past, and missed rides.  We catch up on important personal news.  It is great to connect with these guys.

Along the way we sweat, we huff and puff, we go fast or slow according to how we feel.  Today was a slower day as three of us rode and chatted about Clint’s upcoming 1200k ride in Alaska.  Several others decided to make it a faster day.  We didn’t see them for long.

Soon enough it was all over, and I was winding my way home.  The sun was bright and low in the sky.  The new day was here.

It sure beats being inside some warehouse gym watching television while pedaling to nowhere.

The added benefit with the Malaria campaign going on is that each day I ride, a bed net is purchased, reducing the incidence of Malaria for a family.

This Ride: 21.9 miles
Malaria Campaign: 812 miles
Funds Pledged: $406
Contributed in support: $1,437.60

Total = $1,843.60

I’m always amazed at how the same route with the same riders can be so very different from day to day.  Some days the effort is minimal and life is good.  That wasn’t this morning.  This morning was hard.  My heart rate was higher than usual.  By the end of the ride it was raining me (a friend used that phrase to talk about how much she was sweating … I liked it).  I was glad at least one other rider was willing to hang back with me the last half of the ride.  The stop at the coffee shop was a nice way to catch up.

I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t ride yesterday.  I found absolutely every excuse in the books to rest another day.  I was tired.  It was raining.  It might be wet.  I didn’t want to install the fenders.  Did I say I was tired?

On the Malaria Campaign front, this weekend saw additional gifts and pledges.  It also saw one donor cut in half a pledge.  The new pledges more than made up for that loss.

These Rides: 75.8 miles (past 3 rides)
Malaria Campaign: 790.1 miles
Funds Pledged: $395.05
Contributed in support: $1,437.60

Total = $1,830.65

I was asked recently how long it took after riding 200 miles before I was back on the bike.  The answer was pretty simple.  I was out again on Monday morning, as usual.  So, what does that make it … I guess about 38 hours.

Monday’s ride was an easy spin.

Half of Tuesday’s ride was an easy spin with a much faster 2nd half.

Today’s ride was a real struggle.  I didn’t have much energy.  It was sprinkling rain part of the time.  It was an effort to simply keep up with the others.  It felt rough enough that I’m sure that this will be the worst recovery day and that I’ll be building back up from here.

Two things got me out on the bike this morning.  The first was knowing that it was a special coffee ride.  The second was accumulating miles for the Malaria Campaign.  Both are decent motivators.

These Rides: 62 miles
Malaria Campaign: 714.4 miles
Funds Pledged: $307.19
Contributed in support: $1,170

On Saturday, I joined 9 other riders for what for me was an epic ride.  Before the day was done, 203.7 miles were logged in just under 15 hours.  This felt different than the Flèche, even though the Flèche is about 30 miles longer.  Of course, the Flèche is ridden in 24 hours … and really not any less.

For my first official 300k (plus an additional 27k) we had a 4:00 am start planned.  Temperatures hovered around 70° F and there were mostly cloudy skies.  In other words, perfect!  Several of the riders were doing a “training ride” in preparation for a 1200k in Alaska in mid-July.  Several others just joined in for the fun of it.  We pushed off into the dark morning just a couple of minutes after 4 am.

Within a few miles, we were comfortable with the pace and the route.  Since the last time I had ridden the first part of this route, the state had re-paved the road through Grasonville and Kent Narrows.  It was a delight to be running on smooth pavement on what was previously very much filled with potholes.  Conversation was nearly non-stop as we could ride 2 X 2 on these lonely roads in the wee hours of Saturday morning.  We fell easily into a rhythm and worked with each other trusting one another’s riding skills.  In the 15 hours of the ride I never noted one near-miss or potential collision with another rider.  Each of these riders had spent hundreds of hours in the saddle in group rides and maintained an awareness of just where the other riders were.

As the sun began to bring light to the skies, we watched the fields and forests emerge from the darkness.  We spotted our one and only deer just before sunrise.  By the time we arrived at our first control in Chestertown it was fully light.  We arrived just a few minutes after the control “opened” since we were making such good time on smooth roads with wide shoulders.  We stowed some of the reflective gear that was no longer needed, topped off our fluids, draining other fluids, and grabbed a quick bite to eat.  Then we pushed off for the next short leg to Millington.  Dan was riding a fixie and on this stretch, he moved out in front and set a quick pace.  He later commented that it was easier to maintain the momentum if he was in front.  It was fast enough that one rider was grumbling a little about the pace, but I was enjoying it.  We were flying down the road and my heart rate was in a very comfortable zone.  It was the kind of day and ride that made me believe I could continue on forever.  I love that feeling!

We were all in fine shape at the information control in Millington and opted to simply continue, now heading south toward Salisbury.  The winds were still very light and not a factor at all.  We could see rain clouds ahead, but they dumped whatever moisture they held before we got under them.  There were a few stretches with damp pavement, but otherwise the ride was completely dry.  The thick clouds allowed me to keep the sunscreen in the bag and it was quite a while before I thought to dig out my sunglasses.  We stopped for more fluids just outside Greensboro and I was amazed at the efficiency of these experienced riders.  Everyone knew exactly what was needed before entering the store and there was no wasted time waiting for someone to figure out what they needed.

Our next stop (this ride was really marked by the stops) was a brief one in Federalsburg for more fluids, bathroom, etc.  We split up a bit here.  Some of us stopped in a McDonald’s, some at a convenience store, and a few just kept riding on.  Moving out of Federalsburg we were in two groups, and when we arrived at the information control in Eldorado, we caught the lead riders.  From Eldorado, it was simply a fast ride to Salisbury.  A couple of the riders struggled a bit over the last 20 stretch into Salisbury and crossing Route 50 on a Saturday morning in the summer was not our idea of fun, but we all made it without becoming hood ornaments.  When we finally arrived at the control in Salisbury we had a sub 7 hour 30 minute 200k under our belts.  My previous best on a 200k was just over 8 hours, so this was really feeling good to me.

At the control, we had some decisions to make.  The sun was now out and the temperatures were increasing.  We had ridden a quick 200k with 127 to go.  Some of the group (3) decided to get a sandwich and keep going.  The remaining 7 of us decided on a nice sit-down lunch in air conditioning at Brew River.  That was a great choice.  We entered about the time the restaurant was opening for lunch and were a smelly, noisy bunch.  I think we spent about 45 minutes to an hour there.  Then it was time for sunscreen, new application of anti-chafing cream, and off we went.

The next 30 miles seemed long to me.  I had some stomach cramping from the chicken salad I ate for lunch.  The temperatures were rapidly climbing into the 90’s.  We had spent a long time on the bike.  As we were moving along, Clint suggested we try a rolling pace line.  I had always wanted to try that, and we started to get it to work pretty well when all of a sudden my rear tire seemed like it slid on the white line.  I had very little control and quickly figured out that I had a flat tire.  We grabbed a shady spot and in no time had the tube replaced and wheel back on the bike rolling again.  This was the only flat on the day.  Not bad for a combined 2000+ miles!

A short while after the flat, I was having more trouble holding the pace of the group.  I knew I was starting to overheat.  I was hydrating as much as I dared, but I still watched my heart rate increase, a sure sign that I was starting to get into some trouble.  By the time we arrived in Federalsburg for the control, I chose to stop just short of the control at a convenience store for iced water to pour over my head and to get some ice cream into me to help me cool down.  Dan and Mike also stopped here.  We sat outside in the shade, and reflecting on it now, it might have been better to sit at the McDonald’s in the air conditioning.  I was singularly focused on getting the cold water on my head to cool the core down.

The guys who went on to the McDonald’s were getting impatient on us.  When I felt as though my core temperature had dropped enough, we rode the quarter mile to the McDonald’s and it was there that Mike and I decided that we needed some more cooling and encouraged the others to go ahead.  About 10 minutes in air conditioning was all I could handle.  I started to get quite chilly.  Mike and I pressed on, and it was clear to me that we both simply needed to back off the pace in this heat.  The thermometer was reading just over 95° F and occasionally we had to push into a bit of light wind.  Our speed came down some since we didn’t have the whole group to work with, but we made much better time than I anticipated.

We stopped in Denton for more cold fluids, a banana, and I think I remember eating a Snicker’s bar.  The ice cream choices were pretty lame.  We lingered in Denton for a little longer than I wanted to, but there was no real need to push it.  We made good time to the information control in Ridgely and from there were on very familiar roads.  The heat was still oppressive and neither of us complained a bit when one of us made the request to stop in the shade for a few minutes a couple of times.

The miles continued to pass by.  We encountered less wind than we anticipated as we headed west.  I was grateful for that!  At mile 186 we noted we had covered 300k in 13 hours and 44 minutes, just about 15 minutes more than the time limit RUSA has for a 200k.  Both of us celebrated that accomplishment with still another drink of fluids.  The ride into Queenstown was hard for me … and I think for Mike too.  Once we crossed Highway 50 for the last time and with about 8 miles to go, we calculated that we were probably just outside finishing in 15 hours.  Mike was really struggling and I convinced him to draft as I attempted to get us in under the 15 hour mark.  I pulled.  My heart rate spiked.  I pulled some more.  I kept an eye on the rear view mirror and made sure that Mike was with me.  Eventually, I could press the pace no longer, and I let Mike take the lead.  By then, the horse could smell the barn and he had rested just enough that he put on a speed that was hard for me to keep up.  When I crested the bridge over Highway 50 he was a good 75 yards ahead of me.  I kicked it with all I had, caught him at the traffic circle, and we rode in together to the finish with an official time of 14 hours 58 minutes.  We made it!

Lori was there to greet our finish as were some of the others.  The group of 5 that left before us in Federalsburg arrived 38 minutes ahead of us.  Dan was struggling with some dehydration issues and would take about 2 hours before he was recovered enough to drive home.  I slammed down a chocolate milk, then changed clothes and we all gathered at Ram’s Head in Stevensville for food, drink, and celebration.  This was a very good day on the bike.

I was pleased with the nutrition and fluid choices I made.  I drank more water than I usually do.  I took two e-caps every time the second toe on my right foot started to give me evidence that it was about to cramp.  I used about 4-5 bottles of Rocktane, and only about 2-3 gels.  That seemed to work for me.  I was bloated at the finish.  My stomach hadn’t really emptied all the fluids from the last 30 miles.  No sunburn.  I had a hot spot on the outside bottom of my left foot, a little residual left Achilles tendon pain and some right knee pain that wasn’t any worse than when I started the ride.  My palms have some bruising, which is pretty typical for me on these long rides.

Again, this was a very good day on the bike.  It felt like an accomplishment and gives me more confidence for the upcoming 600k (375 miles) in October.

I’ll give an update about the Malaria Campaign in an upcoming post.

This Ride: 203.7 miles
Total for June: 652.4 miles
2013 Miles: 3188.3
Total since 1/1/2010: 22,961.2 miles

As I approach the end of the month, I’m increasingly aware of two things.  One is that I’m riding pretty fast these days (for the most part) and two, that I don’t have nearly the miles logged as I would like.  The first is intentional.  The second is unintentional.

This morning, in an attempt to erase the “slow” day yesterday, I hit the pedals hard for the first 4 miles, then kept the pressure up for the rest.  My warm-up was very fast.  The rest of the ride was pretty quick too.

Part of what I’m doing these days is an exercise strategy I read about in the New York Times.  It seems that just four minutes of exercise at 90% of maximum heart rate three times a week is enough to increase your ability to use oxygen more efficiently (cardio vascular fitness).  Now, I’ll be the first to admit that 4 minutes at this level of exercise is very hard work.  But it is my goal, and on the bike it requires more speed.  I think I came pretty close to 4 minute stretches today on a couple of the sections of the route.

But, that is enough of that.  Tomorrow and Friday the plan is for a much easier pace.  I’m riding a 327k ride on Saturday.  For the metric system challenged, that’s just over 200 miles.  We have a 4:00 am start in Chester, MD and nearly a dozen of us are planning to ride at least part of the ride together.  Easy spins are the order for the next two days.

This will be month 11 in my quest for another R-12 award.  I just need to finish the ride.  Watch here for a report sometime this weekend.

This Ride: 22.1 miles
Malaria Campaign: 421.4 miles
Funds Pledged: $147.49
Contributed in support: $600

Remind me to never resume riding with the 5:45 group on a Tuesday after two days of lounging on a beach.  This was not pretty this morning.

It started out ok.  I got up.  I was out the door in time.  The temperature was warm.  We had a good group at the Rusty Bridge and even met a couple of new guys who promised to be out with us later in the week.

We had an easy pace the first third of the ride.  That was good too, because on Jennings Road we encountered two adult deer.  They crossed our path twice, once immediately after a turn.  We had to brake to avoid them.

It was on Old County Road where I fell behind and never caught up again.  My heart and lungs were screaming.  Later, Bryan reminded me that a body at rest tends to stay at rest.  I guess it is true.  I watched tail lights draw away from me slowly.  I had a decent pace, but there was no way I could close the gap.

The stop for coffee at The Big Bean saved the day.  I caught some flack from the guys for being slow but it was all good.

I picked up a contribution to the Malaria Campaign over the weekend, along with a pledge!  It is slow but sure.

This Ride: 19.2 miles
Malaria Campaign: 399.3 miles
Funds Pledged: $139.75
Contributed in support: $600

The title sums up the morning.

I rode the fixie with half a dozen others to breakfast in Annapolis.  We had a nice, easy, conversational pace the whole way down.  After breakfast, we eased over to the RAAM finish line, and after waiting only a couple of minutes, got to see David Misch from Austria finish 5th in the RAAM Solo division.  He looked pretty good for having ridden 3,000 miles in 9 1/2 days.

Following that excitement, we made our way back home, and then Mike and I rode to the Airport where he was going to work.  After dropping him off, I proceeded back to pick up my car at the hospital.    I struggled a bit on the fixie this morning.  I’m simply tired.

And so ends an uneventful week of riding.  I won’t be back on the bike until Tuesday and will appreciate the rest.  My left Achilles tendon is a bit sore and can use the break.  I only had 130 miles on the week.  I need to get that much higher as I ramp up for a big October.

This Ride: 47.1 miles
Malaria Campaign: 380.1 miles
Funds Pledged: $125.43
Contributed in support: $100

2013: 2916.1 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 22,689 miles

The title describes two different rides.  Wednesday’s ride was fast, my fastest this year with heart rates higher than they should be and wheels spinning like crazy.  This morning’s ride became supportive as we had a long-time rider join the 5:45 ride for the first time in a long time and the other guys were too fast for him to hold on to.  Doug and I rode back from the south end of the trail together, mostly because I told him at the start that he would not be dropped.  It was an enjoyable chat with someone I’ve only occasionally ridden with.

The Race Across America (RAAM) first place solo rider finished yesterday with a record setting pace and the first sub 8 day crossing of the continental US.  I was able to witness this amazing finish.  Over the next 5 days, riders will be completing the race.  It is always a great time to be in Annapolis.

We picked up another supporter of the Malaria Campaign yesterday!  I’ve got to get a little more proactive in promotion of the project.

These Rides: 43.6 miles
Malaria Campaign: 333.1 miles
Funds Pledged: $109.92
Contributed in support: $100

Had I know that it was going to be Coconut Macadamia Coffee this morning, I might have been able to go faster!  But alas, speed was not to be.  I got dropped like an outclassed rider this morning.  Even Marcus (12 years old) asked me why I got dropped.  I think it was 3 days of bad food choices.

I had crabs, hamburger, chips, fries, and last night a “Woo Burger”, which is a bacon cheeseburger with a fried egg (over easy) on top.  I’ve gained 2 lbs (of what I hope is water weight from all the sodium the past 3 days) since last Friday.  Time to take some of this off and start eating better again.  I’d really like to drop 15-20 lbs by October.

The recent back spasms haven’t helped either.

Even with all of this, it was still a quick ride and enjoyable.  We start losing daylight in the mornings now.  I’ve really enjoyed riding in daylight and only using the headlight to be visible to others.

This Ride: 18.8 miles
Malaria Campaign: 289.5 miles
Funds Pledged: $81.06
Contributed in support: $100