The Day of Reckoning

Someone once said, "When the time for performance has come, the time for preparation is past." Today was the day for performance. The body has a great mechanism to prepare itself for such events, its called adrenaline. My problem is that it started the night before when trying to get the sleep it needed. In total, only about 4-5 hours were acquired, I wish that was required.

Start time was 6:31 allowing me enough time to get ready, eat and pack before heading out. Our group was to have more than 70 in number, but it turned out to be slightly over 50. Thinking that I dressed appropriately enough for the forecasted low, it seems a bit chilly. I hope I see everyone, it is still rather dark outside, barely any visible light from the morning sun.

A few quick warmup laps and its time to enter the stall. Hey, there is Eric Woolsey & Mike Austin. Where are the other guys? There they are, Wayne Smith, Mike Skousen, Dave Hatfield, Dave Funk and Dave Collins. Let's get a picture. Wow Kate is here too. Smile!

In a minute or two, we are off. Holy cow this is a big group. We have a police escort taking us to the edge of town. Time to position myself relative to Eric. Mike A will be at the front; I'll keep tabs on him. About ten minutes later we are outside of town on the way to Preston. The temp has dipped some more, it is closer to 34 degrees. Some are trying to warm their hands under their armpits. Although I'm chilly, it will be warmer once the sun comes up.

The first section of the race to Preston was mostly flat through farm communities. There were some shallow foggy areas where the water was warmer than the air. Finally, the sun is beginning to shine on the mountains to the west of us. Right on time, about a quarter after 7. Only 40 min or so to Preston at our current speed of approx 23.

Not a lot of fan fare in Preston as many opted to skip the stop and carry on to Strawberry Summit some 24 miles away. This is the longest climb of the day. We lost about a third of the pack at the first feed zone. Hope Dave, Dave, Dave, Mike S. and Wayne catch up. A mile or two later they caught us. Somehow I should have gotten word to them that we were taking an environmental break before the climb ahead. We are in the rollers now for a few more miles and so far our pace still seems pretty good averaging 16-18, but we still have the major part of the climb ahead. Overall, the grade is about 4-5% on average for about 20 miles. Only a few times did we drop below 10mph.

I was waiting for Mike A. and Eric to pull ahead on this part of the course but they ended up staying with me. As I began to approach the summit, Dave x 3 and Wayne slowed to wait for Mike S. They still passed me while I took a look at the surroundings; the previous stop wasn't long enough. Now I had some time to make up knowing these guys were fast descenders. I ended up passing a few people with a top speed in the neighborhood of 45. Before the final flat, I was able to blend in with them. Never loose the group (learned that at Chalk Creek).

Our group was met with another and we became in number about 50 again. Great group and good pace all the way to Montpelier. It will be good to stop and get refreshed, about 78 miles completed and two mountain passes remaining. The temp has warmed up quite a bit, people are shedding clothes.

Well, our little band formed up immediately after the 3rd feed zone. Hatfield was mumbling something to me from behind while I was eating a sandwich. If he had put as much energy in the bike as he did talking this morning, he would have been done already (it was actually refreshing having someone to listen to). As we moseyed toward the Geneva Summit, about 1,000 feet in 9 mi, last 2 close to 7%, I broke out ahead for a short time as the pace seemed a little slow, no one followed and was quickly re-absorbed. A lot of good that did. Summit completed, one more to go. The descent seemed to be over too quickly; I wish we could have had more rest at this pace, about 45 again on this descent, but it was soon on to climb 3.

By now, the legs are feeling a bit strained trying to maintain a good pace and breaking out of the pack wasn't the smartest idea. Our last climb, about 1,300 feet in 11 miles, the last 3, from 6-9%, put the hurt on as I stayed with Collins for a while and told him, "I'm tired." He beat me to the summit, climbing completed and 110 mi down, which again left me to chase them down. This time, top speed was just over 48 on the downside and Star Valley lived up to its tradition letting it's winds flow out of the north. This is not going to work when trying to chase them down. Finally caught on but started cramping on the inside of my left leg. I could not stay with them. It was disappointing seeing them move slowly away.

Hanging on until the next feed zone (#5) in Afton (mile 125), Kate mentioned that I was about three minutes behind. It was time for a consistent, sustained effort in order to not lose ground. It was going to be tough on my own. Heading out of town, another single rider and I teamed up and it looked like we had Eric and a couple of others ahead. I mentioned to him that we needed to catch them. At times it seemed like we were getting closer, but for some reason they stayed about the same distance.

Finally, another group of about 12 picked us up and we began gaining on them. After a few miles, we picked up Eric and the others and started chasing the forward group and now or band was close to 18. Our pace picked up to approx 23-24 but again, we dropped a few in Alpine at feed zone 6 (mile 158). I can now put all of this in perspective, only 50 miles to go. Just a weekday morning ride; I can do that.

The little band of about 12 moved on from the feed zone through Snake River Canyon. It sure is beautiful. That water looks extremely refreshing. Can we stop for just a minute? Another series of rollers conveyed us all the way to Hoback Junction. A bit of road construction said hello just before the junction (this jackhammering feels really comfortable at 180 miles). Yes, about 26 miles to go, 13 to Jackson, 13 to Teton Village. All systems go.

I did not notice Eric dropping off at Hoback, I wonder what happened. Do I proceed or turn back? I really want this to be over. Stay with the group.

There were a few more small hills on the way to Jackson and you can see the Tetons off in the distance. What a great motivator; not far to go. Hear we go again, my leg is cramping. I had to drop off the group, slow down and work it out. Well, on my own again, let's get this done. Only a few more miles to Jackson. There is a group of three, I'll latch on to them. They are moving at a slightly slower pace, but gives me a needed break. After the turnoff and a couple more miles, another group passes and I'm all over that. Sorry guys, thanks for helping, but I'm moving on.

There doesn't seem to be as much organization in this group of survivors, a few seem content to pull and I am content to draft. How's that for contribution. Pace is back up to 23 or so. We make the transition to the bike path and follow on through the underpass and continue left back onto Hwy 89; final leg. It will be close. Again, I am happy to be able to sit on the wheels of the guys in front. However, that pesky old cramp is coming back, I have to drop off again. Keep them within distance.

Final turn to the finish heading north, about 8 miles remaining. Is that a head wind or tail wind? Feels like head wind, but I'm moving at 22-23 mph, has to be a cross wind to slight tail wind. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Okay, 30 minutes left (until 10hrs) and about 8 miles to go. It's time to  push. We should make it around 9:53. My legs are burning trying to keep speed near 24, I will not be able to keep that up. I decide to back off a little and keep my speed between 22-23 for 1-2 minutes and take breaks near 20 for 30 to 45 seconds. That seems to be working well, no cramping. By my calculations, five miles left and a sign coming up, halla freaking lujah, 5km to finish. Soon, 4km c'mon 3km. 3km and I can see the finish. Steady the pace the rest of the way at about 22. I'll push harder a little closer in. 2km keep pace, 1km (emotions on the surface), the road is open only to cyclists from this point. Let's get it done, one last surge up to 28 gets me across the next 100+ yards and across the line. The time has got to be better than 9:53; I'm guessing 9:50.


 

Mike A watching as I cross the finish

Finally completed. Get me off this thing. A bottle of water, finishers medal and a search for those I lost. There is Geoff, he came in a couple of minutes ago. Our thoughts turn to Eric, there he is, just finished. Kate is coming, she was thoughtful enough to bring my street shoes. Get these others off and the helmet. Kate asks if I saw the time when I crossed, no I was just worried about getting here. It was 4:18, 9:47; better than expected. Where are the other guys? There they are. Hey guys, we need a picture. What great times, they finished 12 minutes earlier, awesome. Finally catch up with Mike A, he blew his goal out of the water, 9:45 goal, 9:22 finish - well done. Mike S. is still out but not far behind.

Dave, Wayne, Dave, Dave and me

What an epic ride. A culmination of months in training, mostly with the people mentioned previously, thanks for pushing me - great people. The sky was blue, winds were favorable and the temperature almost perfect - beautiful day. For the organizers of the ride, the volunteers, friends, spouses or others who followed us to Jackson, gave us fluids, food or mechanical help, thank you - terrific support. Kate ran the SAG wagon for me and took all the wonderful pictures, thank you honey for all of your dedication. As the slogan says, 206 miles, 3 states, 1 day. So it was.






Heading home looking back toward the finish around 5:30PM