On June 29th, we rode our 5th Harmon's Best Dam Bike Ride - fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis. As a team, we raised close to $15,000, and we had 28 riders. Finally, after 5 years, we got organized enough to have most of our team arrive and start together...AND we got there early enough to have someone take a photo of us. It was amazing, really!
This the group that was at our campsite in the morning. We've been lucky enough to get the same spot for the last couple of years, and it's just gotten better and better. This year a couple of our guys with trailers went up a couple of days early, and set up the spot. They put their trailers in a U shape, leaving plenty of room for tents on the fourth side, then set up canopies in the middle, and strung lights across the "common area". Someone even brought their big screen t.v. with satellite. All my family had to do was show up with our tents, and we were good to go!
It's a well-known fact that Andy and his brothers are a LOT faster than I am. Usually when we begin, my goal is to draft off of them for as long as possible, and then I either find another line to draft off of that is more my speed, or I ride alone. This year was no different. I lost their line around mile 6, because they were going around 20-22 mph, and I just can't keep that pace. A couple miles later I jumped on the back of a different line as it was passing me, and it was great. They were going a good speed for me, and I thought I could stick with them for awhile and it would be easier. Unfortunately, two other guys cut in front of me, and then they didn't keep up and they dropped way back. Then they pulled off the side of the road to stop for something, and by then the line was gone. I rode the entire rest of the ride alone.
This year I had decided I was going to ride 100 miles. I've never done it all in one shot before. This ride offers a 40, 75, and 100 mile option the first day, and a 40 and 75 mile option the second day (though this year the 40 mile was 45 miles). I once rode 75 the first day and 40 the second day, for a total of 115 in two days, but I've never done 100 all in one day. However, the weekend of the ride was the weekend that the whole state was having record high temperatures. The organizers decided that they would shut down the 100 mile split at 11am rather than 1pm, like they usually do, to help people avoid the heat. Because of the expected temps, most of our team decided they would just do the 75 mile route. I decided I would wait until I got there to decide.
Once I lost Andy, I decided to see if I could find anyone else from my team to ride with. I knew about 1/2 of them were ahead of me, and 1/2 of them were behind. When I got to the 2nd rest stop (around mile 23) I waited for 15 minutes, but the only people I saw were a guy and his wife who were turning around there - to do the 45 mile route. I kept going. When I got to the 3rd rest stop (around mile 32), I waited again. Nobody showed up, so I finally realized I really was on my own, and I kept going. When I got to the 100 mile split, I stopped for a few minutes to argue with myself about what an idiot I am...and then I decided to go for it. I mean, why not? It's freakishly hot. I'm all alone. I've never ridden 100 miles before. I didn't train. Sounds like an excellent plan!
In the end, Andy and his group rode the 100 mile option as well. They had jumped on a super fast line and decided to go for it. When I got to lunch (mile 68), they were already at the second to last rest stop (mile 83). By the time I finished lunch, they were probably about done, and I still had 32 miles to go, which, at my pace, is a little over 2 hours, plus rest-stop time. Andy and his group skip rest stops sometimes. I NEVER skip any rest stops except the very first one. I have a cardinal rule that I MUST keep pedaling until I reach the rest stop, even if I think I'm dying. Those rest stops are what keep me going!
I'm not going to lie, though. I broke my cardinal rule three times. The extra 25 miles that make up the difference between the 75 and 100 mile route include two MASSIVE hills. I just couldn't do it. It was so hot, and I was so tired. I stopped for about 30 seconds on each hill to take a drink, because I was afraid if I tried to drink while I was riding, I might fall over. Those hills were hard! Later, around mile 80 or so, there was another massive hill that I was not expecting. They changed the route this year, and I noticed as we were starting that the huge hill that is usually towards the beginning of the ride wasn't there this year. I used to have a love/hate relationship with that hill. I HATED going up it, but the backside downhill seemed even longer than the uphill was, so you got to coast downhill for a long time, and it was great. This year...around mile 80 or so...we went UP the backside of that hill. Not cool. By then it was mid-afternoon, and the sun was brutal. I stopped again to take a drink.
In the end, I finally made it, and I really didn't feel that bad. The picture below is me at the end with my medal. I know they give everyone a medal, but this one, I'm keeping! I earned it! I called Andy from the last rest stop and informed him that he HAD to meet me at the finish line to cheer and take my picture. I may never do 100 miles again, and this was a moment I needed to remember. It was hot, and it was hard, but there is such a feeling of accomplishment when you finally get there, it's hard to explain. I've always told Andy, what I lack in physical strength, I more than make up for with determination. I think this defintley applies. I was so determined to do it this year, and I did. Yay!
P.S. I owe thanks to my sister Connie. I texted her my progress from each rest stop, and she texted me encouragement to keep going. It sort of made me feel like I wasn't riding totally alone. Thanks Con!
