The Ring of Fire Time Trial

The Ring of Fire 24 Hour Time Trial (RoF) is the hardest ride I have ever done. I have ridden my bike further, and higher, and harder, but the RoF is the hardest ride I have ridden. And I will be doing it again on Saturday.

What makes it so hard? Well, first of all, there are the climbs. They are numerous and hard - Maupin, Tygh Valley, Bennett Pass, Dufer Market Road and not to be forgotten, Bakeovern Rd.

Then there is the weather. It will be cool in the morning when I start. I will be wearing both arm and leg warmers, plus long fingered gloves. But, the day will be hot, very hot. Afternoon temperatures will be in the mid-nineties. But when the sun goes down, the temperature will drop to the low forties. It will be cold.

Also there is the lack of sleep. This is a twenty four hour time trial. I get on the bike at 6:51 am on Saturday and I will ride to 6:51 am on Sunday. This is going to be fun!

Ride Plan

I have only two goals. (1) Ride for the entire 24 hours - no quiting early, and (2) keep my average heart rate at 125 bpm, a very easy pace for me.

My best Ring of Fire was my first, in 2006. I was in training for the Furnace Creek 508. My goals were simple - finish, limit my time off of the bike, and ride 300 miles. I accomplished all three.

I returned in 2007 with different goals. I wanted to do better than 2006, so I worked much harder early in the ride and suffered in the latter portions of the ride. I did not accomplish any of my 2007 goals. In fact, I quit at 10:00 pm.

In 2008, I did not ride well at all as I was afflicted with chronic fatigue syndrome. Earlier in the summer, Mark Newsome and I had set the 50+ two person team record at the Race Across Oregon. It was a hard and hot race. Afterward, I never took time off after that race.

I was scheduled to ride the 24 time trial, but my doctor wanted me to withdraw from the race completely. Being stubborn, I dropped down to the 12 hour time trial. I should have listened my doctor.

After looking at my performance data for all three rides, I see that I can ride longer and farther if I ride easier. If I push myself too hard, I burn up and bonk. So, my goal is 125 beats per minute average. An easy ride in the park.

Check out this document Ring of Fire Analysis to see my prior performances.

Food

I love to eat, except when I am on the bike. So, in an attempt to keep myself fueled, I have created this Food Plan.

Crew

I am very lucky to have Elise Ross crew for me. She will keep me hydrated, fed and on the bike. In short, she will allow me to accomplish my goals. I thank her in advance for her hard work. I also apologize in advance for any dirty looks I may give her when she tells to to get on and "Ride the Fraking Bike!"

Posted 10:52 PM by John Henry