"Horrible Hilly"

So was this Bike ride tougher than the IronMan Wisconsin course. I think yeahhhh.

Were there lot of hills, I'll say yeahhhh to that to.

Did it take me forever, I'll give a "AMEN" to that too...

So the it started out with a bunch of us camping out at the state park where the finish line for the 200k and 100k bike adventure would end. Never been remotely camping, eventhough I had a tent I got lazy and crashed out in the SUV. Okay lets say after that, I think a nice hotel would have been alot comfortable. But I had a great time hanging out with a bunch of my TRIclub teammates.

It started out at 7:00am, nine of us did the ride from the TRI club, 3 were doing the 100k and the rest did the 200k. It started out fine. I knew most of them were faster than me, so I didn't want to get sucked into that and just rode at my own pace. I would catch up with some of them at certain points but it was going to be a long day and it was just a training ride anyways.

So after a few mile I started to get a bad side stitch while riding. It was pretty uncomfortable just riding. I was think to myself, this is not good early on. It was effecting my breathing at certain times and could not figure out the cause. So after 20+ miles, I was able to complete stage one. Hmmm 4 more stages to go.

Okay rest stop ahead, the funny thing was that as soon as I got off the bike, my side stitch was gone.

Stage 2, off I go again, back comes the side stitch, I'm not liking this, I really thought I might have to drop out at this point if it does not get any better. But the pedaling I went on and a D.N.F. was not on my wish list for this day. So after more hills I made it to the end of the second stage, another rest stop, always a pretty site.

Stage 3, things were getting more bearable at this point, my side stitch was starting to subside, and I was feeling better riding and not uncomfortable on the bike as much. During halfway through the stage we had out first casualty from our TRI club. One of the guys was cramping severely and during one of the hills, his cramping locked his legs and he crashed on the road. Luckily there was a SAG (support vehicle) not to far away. But sad to say he was done for the day, but he was okay, that was the most important part.

Stage 4, so after getting something to eat, I was able to catch up with one of the guys from the group and we started riding together during stage 4. At this point I was feeling pretty good. I think I got my second wind, surging ahead of him at certain points. But he started to crash big time as well, so I hung back and always tried to keep him at eye site behind me.

Feeling like crap in the middle of farmland country is never a fun feeling. So I and he eventually made it to the next rest stop. So after him telling me he had to stop two more times. I figure my goal was to get both of us to the finishing line no matter how long it took.

Off to stage 4, another 30 miles (I believe so). So I rode with him a little closer this time. The hills were getting tougher for him as well. So everything was going along fine then at mile 103 I was shifting during a hill climb. All I heard was snap, crackle, and then pop. My "firkin" CHAIN broke on my bike. Never had that happen before. But never fear, I knew there was a reason I liked doing maintenance on my own bike, I wipped out my multi tool and within 10 minutes I was on the road again. I did not even see a SAG car during this whole time, but I was having none of that getting a ride to the finish anyways.

So with 15 miles left, things did get a little ugly. There was actually a shortcut at this point, the guy who I was riding with thought about it, but I tried to give him as much of a guilt trip about it as possible so he decided to try to finish the whole thing as well. My biggest mistake at this point is that I only filled one water bottle full of water thinking it would be enough for me the rest of the way.

So with 3 miles to go, the biggest hill was upon both of us, I was going ahead, my left cleat was getting loose and slipping, good gracious, what now, I'm not going to be able to go up this hill with one leg pedaling. BIKE, please hold it together.

So halfway thru the longest hill of the day, I stopped and looked back and was wondering where my TRI club bud was at. Nowhere in site, okay he must be walking it. Then comes a SAG vehicle with him in the back seat. His legs were toast, I thought to myself you "SUCK" and you might regret it later. At this point I was starting to suffer as well, I had ran out of water and the only hydration was at the finish line. So I tried to pedal along but I alas the dehydration was taking its toll and I stared to walk my bike the rest of the hill. Soo finally making it to the top I got on my bike and made within a half mile of the finish.

"NOW THIS SUCKS", another hill with the finish line at the top. At this point I was "bonking" bad, I got off my bike and was feeling sick, people saying "YOU ARE ALMOST THERE". I wanted to stop one of them and ask for some water. I had never felt this bad before during the whole year. But I was determined to finish. After a couple of minutes huddle over my bike feeling I was going to pass out, I told myself I need to get going. So walking up the hill I did. At the final corner I saw two of my teammates trying to cheer me on, I gave them the universal sign of "BITE ME, THIS REALLY SUCKS". But with a short distance away I got on my bike and rode in.

FINISHED, I did, 133 miles, 9:38 actual ride time. It was 7:23 pm now, I had started at 7:00am. A long crazy day, but I was done, eventhough the course had beaten me down the last 3 miles, I conquered all the hills before then and was proud of myself for that.

Learned some valuable lessons this day and I'm actually looking forward to finish my next 200k in August with similar terrain.

So I think I should be ready for IM000 after that.

Ahhh, no worst for wear on Sunday, I actually woke early on Fathers day, and went for a 8 mile trail run.

What can I say, LIFE is great, sometimes even in a Horrible HILLY kind of way.