I learned a few things about myself today. My body has only a finite amount of hours it can take on the bike and that is based upon my current fitness level. When you hit that threshold, no matter the amount of food, water, Gatorade, etc. you put into your body, there’s nothing left but desire and drive to fuel the efforts. The only thing that helps is rest. I also learned that staying together makes the ride so much more enjoyable. There were times I felt good and Glenn needed me to keep him going. There were times Glenn felt good and he kept me going. The best part of all is having someone to celebrate with at the top when you get there.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
L'Etape du California
What a tough ride! I now have even more respect for those
climbing specialists and GC riders in the professional ranks. LduC follows the same
route of stage 7 of this year’s Tour of California – roughly 79 miles with over
11k feet of climbing. The ride ends up being about 100 miles after you cruise
back down to the start in Ontario.
I met up with Glenn and Bert’s friend Shane near the start.
We rode and talked for a few miles. Shane looked like a fit and strong rider. We
got split at a light. We didn’t see him again all day. The first two climbs
weren’t all that bad for me. I got in a rhythm and just pedaled. I hung with
Glenn all day regardless of how I was feeling. I figured the ride was better
done with someone. Plus, that’s why I was here – to have fun on the bike. The
last 4.5 miles up to Mt. Baldy was the toughest miles of the day. Here is where
I realized, as I was pushing my bike up the last bit of the climb at some 15 to
18% grade, that I wasn’t built to be a climber. Although I like to do it, I am
much better suited for rollers, flats, and moderate hills. I think I even vowed
not to do one of these crazy climbing events again. We’ll see how that plays
out in the future. But the thrill of hearing people call down to you from the
finish from above and the feeling of rolling across the finish line made all
that suffering worth it. Even that flat I got as I rolled around the last
corner with several feet to go wouldn’t damper my day.
I learned a few things about myself today. My body has only a finite amount of hours it can take on the bike and that is based upon my current fitness level. When you hit that threshold, no matter the amount of food, water, Gatorade, etc. you put into your body, there’s nothing left but desire and drive to fuel the efforts. The only thing that helps is rest. I also learned that staying together makes the ride so much more enjoyable. There were times I felt good and Glenn needed me to keep him going. There were times Glenn felt good and he kept me going. The best part of all is having someone to celebrate with at the top when you get there.
I learned a few things about myself today. My body has only a finite amount of hours it can take on the bike and that is based upon my current fitness level. When you hit that threshold, no matter the amount of food, water, Gatorade, etc. you put into your body, there’s nothing left but desire and drive to fuel the efforts. The only thing that helps is rest. I also learned that staying together makes the ride so much more enjoyable. There were times I felt good and Glenn needed me to keep him going. There were times Glenn felt good and he kept me going. The best part of all is having someone to celebrate with at the top when you get there.
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