Sandie goes all the way!!!

I really had no business doing what I did today.

I had no business even attempting it. My largest ride this year was 30 miles and didn't compare in any way to any of the multitude of climbs I was in store for today. I was not a bit trained or prepared for this grueling marathon of challenges that led me on a tour of the outer gates of hell... I kid you not.

It was tough getting to sleep last night. I was so excited about the ride and my new bike, I guess I managed to get in about 6 hours. Up at 5:45am, out the door at 6:30, on site and registering at 7. I got my cue sheet that listed all the turns and roads we'd be up against. Quickly, a shocked Holy sh*t escaped my mouth. Listed at the 18 mile mark was a road with a monster climb I was familiar with, as I rode it a million years ago whenever I overslept and had to ride my bike to High shool. It wasn't fun then, and unlike Hershey bars, it certainly didn't get any smaller over the years! Well, I walked it when I was a kid, I guess I could walk it today.

7:40 Off we went. I was in a group of about 25 riders playing cat and mouse as I really have a huge downhill advantage and a huge uphill disadvantage. Guys that would blow me away on the climb would shudder as I flew past on the payoff. Imagine a 747 passing at eye level with no warning... that would be me;-) Soon enough, I couldn't keep up and went it alone.

Though it wasn't really difficult at the beginning, by the 10 mile mark, I wondered what I was thinking when I signed up for this silly thing. By that time, the group was so far ahead and beyond my reach, that I went it alone. I had serious doubts I'd make it to 20. You see, there were a number of options for this ride, a fundraiser for a multi-handicapped children's center. There were 12, 25 and 45 mile rides. A few weeks ago I thought I'd do 45. Then, after shaking up the guys last week on my 30mile Saturday route, I decided 62 was more appropriate. As this week wore on, I was really nagged by wanting to go for more. I really thought I would like to try for 80, and I'd kick myself if I didn't try, but the next option was 100... way, way, way beyond my reach.

Well, I decided to go for it since I could and rely on the SAG wagon if I couldn't do it anymore. The SAG wagon will collect disabled and exhausted riders and transport them back to the finish/start line or even to a rest stop(or hospital, I guess). I felt there was no shame in SAGing if I needed it. So, what did I have to loose?

I made it to the hill that killed me as a kid. For the first time in my life, I climbed it without stopping. It's a double hill with a short leveling in the middle where it crosses a busy highway. It's 2.4 miles long with a 114 foot total climb. YIKES!!! Then a rest stop at the 21 mile mark. By this time, I had consumed a gallon of water and needed something more to replace everything I was loosing from the sweat pouring down my face. I refilled both my water bottles with Gatorade, throwing my carb conscious way of life to the wind. At that point, it was more important to keep from keeling over than to worry about a few carbs.

I have had a hard time dealing with the issues of fueling for serious rides. I recognize the need for fuel, and carbs as the best fuel for the job, but being highly metabolically resistant, they just make more of me! Trying to strike a balance between the need for carbs and protein, and refusing to eat the high fructose corn syrup and other garbage in typical power bars and gels, I found a recipe online for a gel using pure honey and blackstrap molasses. Fewer carbs, more nutrients. Adding in plain, unsweetened soy protein powder and pure unsweetened cocoa, I came up with a high protein, highly nutritious concoction with the taste and texture of brownie batter. YUM!! (Don't tell my kids! I've convinced them it's gross diet food!) This was my fuel for the ride, besides a banana and some orange slices and Gatorade from the rest stops. Seriously, going without food for the rides is like driving on empty... ya' ain't gonna get too far!

So, about the ride. It was a whole lot of up, which killed, and a bit of down, which(I think I mentioned)... I ROCK on! Trouble is, the ups take forever and the downs scream by pretty darned quick. I had to make a stop along the way cause a toe went painfully numb on a climb. And I had a bit of trouble with shifting. Since the bike was new, the gear cables needed to stretch and settle in like new guitar strings. But since I worked it so hard the "fix" they told me about in the shop wasn't enough to take up the slack. I ended up riding 10 miles in one gear before I got someone to look at it at the 70mile mark rest stop.

70 miles. If I had to end the tour there with bike trouble, it would be OK. I went well beyond anything I should have done and had no regrets(and no feeling in my butt beyond pain). SO, having nothing to loose, I got back on to see how far I could go. Ya know, in many ways, I did the last 40 miles better and smarter than the first 20. The last 15 were tough. My stomach tried to force out the tiny bit of turkey sub I ate at the rest stop. I wished it would hurry up and do it. The last 7 miles... I walked the long hill where a car slowed to offer me a ride(I'm just fine! Yes, I want to do this!) shortly after, the SAG wagon finally appeared(Are you kidding?). I dragged on the final leg, but I pulled into the lot I started from, all by my own power. 100 freakin' miles! 100 freakin' miles! Unbelievable!!!

8 1/2 hours on the bike, 1 1/2 hours in rest stops and unscheduled stops. 7:40am to 5:30pm... Call it a day's work done! Awesome!!!

I am reminded of the power of spirit and drive, determination and willpower. Of the faith of a mustard seed. Of the people who built this country, its railroads. Of the slaves, migrant workers and laborers who worked longer and harder every day than I did today. The people who work unrelenting to make a difference in the world. It's all of the same stuff, just spread in different places.

I am ready to ride again for 112 miles on Sept 15 and 16, to raise money for MS. The organization I'm riding for not only funds research, but does great things for individuals with MS. They offer free career counseling, yoga, aquatics, loan wheelchairs, help fund chair lifts, they offer a weekend camp for children of MS patients to socialize and have fun and learn, they offer scholarships to accredited camps for children and patients in the summer, the list goes on. Bottom line, they do real things for real people.

If you can ride, ride with me and prove to yourself that there is more power in you than you think.
If you can't ride, join in and support me. I'll carry your spirit with me on a great ride.

Much love,
Sandie

The After picture... I don't look tired enough!