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."
Mario Cipolini
"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."
John F. Kennedy
"The important decisions in my life I make while out riding my bike."
Former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi
"Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.” Lance Armstrong
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Knoxville Double Century
After server rides in which I did not do well, I had some trepidation about the Knoxville Double Century. Yes, I had finished it three time before, but this was another year.
But not to worry, I finished and had a very good ride.
Some thoughts about this year's ride. First of all, due to the closure of Big Canyon Rd, the course now includes Loch Lomond Rd, and some additional climbing. To say the road is steep is an understatement. I was in my lowest gear (26x25) and turning over the pedals was very difficult. And, with each pedal stroke, I was lifting my front wheel off of the ground. Yes, it was that steep.
Secondly, ultracyclists just can't pace line. Just after I left the Lake Hennessey rest stop, I was passed by eight riders in a pace line and I managed to jump on the back. But I soon observed that this was not a well run pace line. My first clue was that riders were taking too long of pulls. When the rider who had been pulling drifted back, the rider in front of me gapped the pace line. As such, he signaled that he would not be taking his turn to pull. I began to watch the dynamics of this line. A rider near the back appeared that he should know how to pace line. His legs were shaved and he work a jersey from a double century ride, but his actions were otherwise. He could not hold a line. He drifted back and fourth and on several occasions nearly took out the wheel of the rider behind him. When I saw this, I dropped off of the back a couple of bike lengths.
Lastly, riding a double is like meeting people in a bar in that you have short conversations, but then never see them again. On the way to the last rest stop, a tandem flew by me with one single behind it. Again, I managed to jump on as we flew down a small hill and the flat beyond. When the tandem came upon a small hill, they slowed and I struck up a conversation. I learned a lot about them; they lived in Susanville and had down the Devil Mountain Double on their tandem, twice. When we reached the rest stop, I was focused on setting up my lights and they left just before me. I tried to catch them, but I never saw them again. Just like some people I have met in bars.
