| (Long Distance) Ramblings |
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I like to ride my bicycle - for long distances. I have earned the California Triple Crown and finished the Furnace Creek 508. My goals include qualifying for RAAM and ...(read the blog to find out). "The bicycle has a soul. If you are able to love it as it deserves, it will give you emotions you will never forget." "Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."
"The important decisions in my life I make while out riding my bike."
"Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.” Lance Armstrong
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Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Not a Torture TuesdayMiles: 8.86 September Total: 576.70 I am still recovering from the 307 miles I rode last weekend during the Ring of Fire 24 Hour Time Trial. I did ride down to my automobile mechanic to pick up the van. It is now certified for the Furnance Creek 508. In terms of pain, the only part of my body that is still somewhat sore is my right Achilles tendon, but it is getting better each day. How many miles do I have to ... In the early morning hours of the Ring of Fire, I finished my fifth lap of the 26 mile night loop. I knew that I did not have enough time to ride a sixth. I asked my coach Sandy Earl how many mile did I have to do to reach our goal of 300 miles. She looked at me and said 19. Looking at my watch, I though I may have just enough time to do it, if I left right then. So I jumped onto my bike and started climbing the hill for the last time. However, my legs were toast and I could not climb as fast as I could earlier in the night. Before, I was doing 9 to 11 miles per hour, but now I could only do 5 mph. This was not good. I needed to pick up the speed if I were to do 19 miles. I tried, but it was hard. Soon, I reached the top of the hill, and now the terrain was flat. I could pick up the speed and soon I felt I was flying along toward the morning light. Descending into Tye Valley I tried to go as fast as I could. Turning right toward Shearers Bridge, I saw that I had passed the 13 mile mark and I had just a few minutes left. I worked hard going up the last small hill and then descending toward the Dechutes River I saw I was getting close to mile 19. But, I was running out of time. When I passed mile 17, I had just three minutes left and I knew my cause was lost. But, I did not quit, I increased my efforts and sprinted for the 18 mile mark. I make it, but just as my time ran out. I did not do the 19 miles that Sandy said I needed for 300 miles. She picked me up and I explained that I was close, but I had failed. She smiled and said "No you didn't. I lied. You really did 307 miles! Good job!". I must admit that at that point, I called her a bad name. But I was glad that she did what she did. It made me work hard at the end of the time trial. But, can I ever trust her again?
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