Today’s ride was, for me, particularly grueling. However, the outcome was something I am rather proud of! Mileage for the ride from Bullis County Park totaled 42.5 miles (68.km), which is another first for me since its the furthest I’ve ever traveled on a bicycle. Coupled with this impressive feat was the fact that the ride took place with 2,000 feet (609.6 m) of elevation…a whole bunch of hills!
What’s additionally pleasing is that the first day of the Valero Bike to the Beach takes twice today’s distance, and an entire day, to achieve an elevation of just a little more at 2,600 feet (792.48 m). So I’m definitely feeling an accomplishment.
However, adding to today’s series of firsts was the fact that I “bonked.” I was within about 2.5 miles of our destination and just couldn’t ride another step. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t fall of my bike, or foam at the mouth or any worrisome things like that. My gas tank was just on “E.” I called out to my riding partner (coach and instructor Pete Templin aka Obi-Wan Kenobi), “That’s it mate, I can’t go any further!” We pulled over to a shaded area. I lent against the bike for support awaiting Pete’s completion of the ride and return with his truck to SAG me in.
I don’t see this as a defeat, rather a good realization of my limits this early in my training.
You may remember that I joined (and completed) a 22-mile Velo Valero ride out of Bullis Park on Wednesday. So when Pete mentioned on Saturday that he was going to lead a ride from that park Sunday, I called my mate and HOLT CAT team captain Bob Harwood, inviting him to join us. I rode with Bob and his team (30 miles) just yesterday. I told Bob that the route was relatively easy! While we were on the “relatively easy” route initially, the group paused at a point where a 46-mile route split off, up Spring Branch Road…the road from H-E-DOUBLE “L.” It was very, very tough. Sorry Bob!
I seemed to have found a “sweet spot-system” for the hills, though it’s a tad dangerous. I shift to the smallest of my 3 front rings, and the largest of my gears at the back. I grab the lowest part of my handlebars, tuck my head down looking at the road only (dangerous) and focus on just pushing the pedals around. I couldn’t care less where the top of the hill is, it’ll appear soon enough! I just conc
entrate on the cadence. It seemed to work on all but one hill today. I had to stop 2/3rds of the way up a hill on Spring Branch Road at a sign post for “Canterbury Road,” and walked about 200 yards up to where my riding “hammer-head” partners were waiting for me. I chuckled, Canterbury Road was where my sister Pauline, brother David and I grew up in Australia! Not sure what it all meant, but the sign-post was poignant reminder for me why I’m doing this training. I got a little chocked up as well!
So, in the driveway of a very kind homeowner, we hung out for few minutes under a shade tree. I sucked down a second GU gel pack (Mint Chocolate, yummy), and continue the ride again. The road was just an endless series of hills, and even the flat was an subtle incline. Each time I exited a curve in the road, there was yet another hill greeting me, mentally challenging for this kid from Sydney!
At mile 27 I ran out of liquids. However, about 3 miles further on out popped a Valero gas station. Bob purchased two POWERades, on sale, one for each us. I poured the contents into my water bottle and what was left I downed it in seconds…it didn’t touch the sides. The lady at the cash register allowed us to re-fill our other water bottles from the facet behind the counter and ice from the cold drinks fountain.
It was the hottest conditions I’ve ridden in so far. The sun was constantly on my back and the wind was hot. I’m writing this at 4:30 pm, 2 hours after my ride ended, and the temperature is currently at 104.5F (40C). So I think it would be safe to assume that we were riding in at least 100-degree heat today. Funny thing, I don’t sweat on my face or head. My arms glisten, but I put that down to the sunscreen I put on at the beginning of the ride. But my jersey was very wet.
Also a curious situation, I don’t need to pee! Sorry, but need to add this feature to the blog, since I’m guessing it means something. I expected to need to use the bathroom regularly given all the liquids I’m drinking…but not at all! I just never get the urge. Any thoughts, anyone?
Oh, one other challenge for me today. My left pedal developed a loud clicking noise about half-way into the ride. I figure it’s come loose! Initially it wasn’t a problem but later in the ride, when I was sucking air an
d trying to stay focused, the clicking became annoying…and I began to count the clicks, which I didn’t want to do. Fortunately for me, after several miles I was able to ignore this distracting noise. I’ll definitely take it in to my bike-shop sponsor Bicycle Shack in Boerne for a tune-up.
I’m taking a break from training on Monday, I am very tired. Stephanie Gordon co-owner of Bicycle Shack is coming by my office to pickup the bike so she can affix my new, still in the box onboard computer. So she’ll need to keep the bike overnight and return it to me on Tuesday. Not sure what training I’ll do if any on Tuesday, though I did hear of an easy Tuesday ride from Bullis County Park…!
C ya on the road!
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.
What’s additionally pleasing is that the first day of the Valero Bike to the Beach takes twice today’s distance, and an entire day, to achieve an elevation of just a little more at 2,600 feet (792.48 m). So I’m definitely feeling an accomplishment.
However, adding to today’s series of firsts was the fact that I “bonked.” I was within about 2.5 miles of our destination and just couldn’t ride another step. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t fall of my bike, or foam at the mouth or any worrisome things like that. My gas tank was just on “E.” I called out to my riding partner (coach and instructor Pete Templin aka Obi-Wan Kenobi), “That’s it mate, I can’t go any further!” We pulled over to a shaded area. I lent against the bike for support awaiting Pete’s completion of the ride and return with his truck to SAG me in.
I don’t see this as a defeat, rather a good realization of my limits this early in my training.
You may remember that I joined (and completed) a 22-mile Velo Valero ride out of Bullis Park on Wednesday. So when Pete mentioned on Saturday that he was going to lead a ride from that park Sunday, I called my mate and HOLT CAT team captain Bob Harwood, inviting him to join us. I rode with Bob and his team (30 miles) just yesterday. I told Bob that the route was relatively easy! While we were on the “relatively easy” route initially, the group paused at a point where a 46-mile route split off, up Spring Branch Road…the road from H-E-DOUBLE “L.” It was very, very tough. Sorry Bob!
I seemed to have found a “sweet spot-system” for the hills, though it’s a tad dangerous. I shift to the smallest of my 3 front rings, and the largest of my gears at the back. I grab the lowest part of my handlebars, tuck my head down looking at the road only (dangerous) and focus on just pushing the pedals around. I couldn’t care less where the top of the hill is, it’ll appear soon enough! I just conc
entrate on the cadence. It seemed to work on all but one hill today. I had to stop 2/3rds of the way up a hill on Spring Branch Road at a sign post for “Canterbury Road,” and walked about 200 yards up to where my riding “hammer-head” partners were waiting for me. I chuckled, Canterbury Road was where my sister Pauline, brother David and I grew up in Australia! Not sure what it all meant, but the sign-post was poignant reminder for me why I’m doing this training. I got a little chocked up as well!So, in the driveway of a very kind homeowner, we hung out for few minutes under a shade tree. I sucked down a second GU gel pack (Mint Chocolate, yummy), and continue the ride again. The road was just an endless series of hills, and even the flat was an subtle incline. Each time I exited a curve in the road, there was yet another hill greeting me, mentally challenging for this kid from Sydney!
At mile 27 I ran out of liquids. However, about 3 miles further on out popped a Valero gas station. Bob purchased two POWERades, on sale, one for each us. I poured the contents into my water bottle and what was left I downed it in seconds…it didn’t touch the sides. The lady at the cash register allowed us to re-fill our other water bottles from the facet behind the counter and ice from the cold drinks fountain.
It was the hottest conditions I’ve ridden in so far. The sun was constantly on my back and the wind was hot. I’m writing this at 4:30 pm, 2 hours after my ride ended, and the temperature is currently at 104.5F (40C). So I think it would be safe to assume that we were riding in at least 100-degree heat today. Funny thing, I don’t sweat on my face or head. My arms glisten, but I put that down to the sunscreen I put on at the beginning of the ride. But my jersey was very wet.
Also a curious situation, I don’t need to pee! Sorry, but need to add this feature to the blog, since I’m guessing it means something. I expected to need to use the bathroom regularly given all the liquids I’m drinking…but not at all! I just never get the urge. Any thoughts, anyone?
Oh, one other challenge for me today. My left pedal developed a loud clicking noise about half-way into the ride. I figure it’s come loose! Initially it wasn’t a problem but later in the ride, when I was sucking air an
d trying to stay focused, the clicking became annoying…and I began to count the clicks, which I didn’t want to do. Fortunately for me, after several miles I was able to ignore this distracting noise. I’ll definitely take it in to my bike-shop sponsor Bicycle Shack in Boerne for a tune-up.I’m taking a break from training on Monday, I am very tired. Stephanie Gordon co-owner of Bicycle Shack is coming by my office to pickup the bike so she can affix my new, still in the box onboard computer. So she’ll need to keep the bike overnight and return it to me on Tuesday. Not sure what training I’ll do if any on Tuesday, though I did hear of an easy Tuesday ride from Bullis County Park…!
C ya on the road!
Read Pauline's story and support my fundraising in her memory.
1 comment:
It was one heck of a ride! The heat, the wind, and those hills. Even after quitting at 32 miles, I feel a sense of accomplishment for powering over those hills and walking part of only one. If we had only known Canterbury Road would have been a shortcut to highway 46!!!
Great job this weekend! You've had an amazing first week of training.
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