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My Bicycles
My Spice Melange Spice Melange: The most essential and valuable commodity in the universe, the spice gives the user a longer lifespan, greater vitality, and heightened awareness. Melange comes with a steep price, however: it is addictive, and withdrawal is fatal.
First 51 miles (one loop) went great, averaged 19.8 mph. The beginning of the 51 miles loops were a little hilly so I was slow through it. As the hills were coming to an end, I hooked up with a group (about 20 people) doing my speed and all was well. At the first checkpoint (26 miles) our group split into two and half of it decided to make a short stop. For about 10 miles we stuck together until some tandems passed us and after watching them in front of us for about 10 minutes I let my judgment go and chased the tandems down. After catching them and drafting off of them for a while I decided to go off on my own again as the group I was with started catching us when the course got hilly. Then I derailed and had to stop to put my chain back on as every one passed me up. Letting my better judgment go once again I made chase and only caught up to them as we entered the checkpoint, at about 2:35 minutes. I went to my van to refill my bottles, ate a snack, and took enough energy gels for a few hours. I also took my MP3 player with me and took my shoe covers off. I only went through 2 bottles of water and was feeling good. So after about 7 minutes I got my number stamped and was back on the course but none of the people I was with were back out yet. I took it easy through the hills once again not wanting to push it where I could gain no time. Ironically about the same spot that I met up with the same group that caught me as the hills were ending on the first loop. So I cruised with them as we took turns pulling a nice pace of about 20 mph. After my last pull I pulled off and worked my way to the back as the rode worked it was up some grade. Whoever took over decided to do about 24mph and I could not hang being out of the draft up the grade and got dropped. Therefore, I kept doing my 20-mph pace. All went well but after the 26 mile checkpoint, I noticed I was already half way through my second bottle of water. I decided to slow down to about 17-18 mph and conserve water, but I ran out with about 30-40 minutes left to finish the loop and refill. I ate an extra energy gel to get anything good into my system. This loop (102 miles total) was finished at about 5:35 minutes into the race. I made this a longer stop. I wanted to change clothes and eat a little more. I refilled both bottles and took a third and even more energy gels. The skies were looking dark but it was to the north and west of where I was going, I almost took my shoe covers to keep my feet dry but figured the weather was heading away from us. About a mile out of the checkpoint climbing the first hill my right hamstring wanted to cramp up. So I took it easy and soft pedaled and stretched to keep it from making me have to stop. After that, I could not use my big gear or my aero-bars, which slowed me down a bunch. About 5 miles into my third loop it started to rain. The rain is ok, but the wind that came with it sucked and was a head wind until just after the 26-mile checkpoint. I did have some relief as two riders caught up with me we gave each other brakes for about 5 miles. This time I stopped for a few minutes and ate a banana and walked around some. After the banana was gone I was back on the road again. Taking it easy not wanting to hurt myself permanently or not finish. I told my self I have to at least finish 153 miles. I took to easy and was by myself almost the whole time. I caught a old man and he rested behind me for a while and occasionally was able to let me get a break from the wind behind him. We hook up and some chick and gave her a break for a few and then she gave us a good pull with about 10 to 5 miles left. That was just the break I needed. I got a good rest and we took it easy the last few miles. I finished the third loop and 153 miles in 9:40 minutes or so. I took about a ten-minute break. Ate, refilled bottles, put my shoe covers on since my wet feet were getting a little cold, and took the rest of my energy gels. Was hoping to hook up with the chick since we where riding the same speed and she was not bad looking, but she was still taking a break and I wanted to get on the road. So out I went alone. This time we were on a 7 miles loop. This was better because it was getting windier. But with a small loop out in the wind you’re only in the wind for a few miles verses 20 miles at a time. I ran into a 63-year-old man. He had already done one loop (7miles) and gave me a run down on what to expect. We chatted while the wind was to our backs and took turns pulling into the wind. We did the loop in a little under 30 minutes. I was like I should get four loops in no problem and 181 miles as long as the hamstring did not act up. I lost the 63-year-old man at the checkpoint so I was out on my own again. I was careful to take it easy but wanted to hammer with the tail wind to pick up my speed. However, every time I did my hamstring said nope. Nevertheless, I was able to pick up my pace slowly. After two loops, I had 1:30 minutes left, and doing a loop every 29 minutes, I was like maybe I can get a 5th loop in and 188 miles. I was getting really pumped up. I wanted 175 miles and It was seeming like it would be no problem as long as I did not push it to hard and have to stop or go so slow I could not finish. I finished the third loop in about 28 minutes. I was getting a little faster. On the fourth loop I kept up the same pace, but noticed my split times were getting a lot better and I pushed it more. I had three energy gels left and ate one ahead of schedule So I would have plenty of energy when I headed into the wind to ensure I finished. I finished this loop in 27 minutes. Now do I head out for a final seven bonus miles and take the chance my hamstring does not let me finish and I get a DNF. I had to go for it so I at another gel and headed out. Pushing it some yet taking it easier, I ate my left gel about 10 minuets before I was to head back into the head wind. My splits were getting better. Well right as I headed into the wind my MP3 player battery died. I was hoping this was not a sign. But I kept going and ended up finishing this loop in about 26 minutes and the race in 11:52 minutes. Rode 188 miles in 12 hours for 4th place in the Male 30-34 age range.
Out in the cold in Indian Hill, Kruger Mill I think.
The New Spice Melange, someday.
I love all forms of bike riding from trails to road and BMX. Road, and on the paved trails is all I really get to ride anymore. I would like to take my Trek out on the trails more. For now I stick the pavement.
A bike frame I designed in high school.
My old Badd and Company. Great frame I still have it.
My old S&M Holmes
The Powerlite P-61
My Trek
Bike with Miata, who needs a bike rack. click image for larger view
Gears 4 Beers - TOUR de BEER 2 from station 3
RAAM 2008 Time station #40
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