At 20 minutes till 8:00 in the morning it actually hit me that I was about to attempt a 100 mile bike ride after only training for about 3 1/2 months. I figured I could do it but was skeptical about doing it in the course of a day. My goal was simply to finish, but I really wanted to do it in 10 hours or less, which is actually quite slow considering that more than half of the 300 bikes to enter would be finishing around 5 hours. As I looked around at all the bikes lining up, it become apparent to me that I might be the only one crazy enough to try it on a mountain bike with offroad tires.
At 8:27 I lined up with nine other bikes and began the journey. A steady pace was all I wanted and was not brought down as bike after bike that started behind me made their way past me. In fact it was quite a sight to see some of the better riders all lined up, front tire to rear tire, drafting as if they were on a nascar track. One line of bikes that went past was about 12 bikes long and sounded like a car coming up behind me as they pushed the wind in front of them and made their way past, giving the biker at the end of the line a free ride for a short time before that individual would pull out and make their way to the front of the pack and let someone else have their turn in the draft. As they past the wind from the pack shook my handlebars like a car on the expressway when a couple semis go by. Simply amazing.
Approaching the first feed stop, about 30 miles into the ride, I felt great. The steady drizzling rain helped to keep me cool and the training was definitely paying off. My legs and back were holding up great and the couple hills so far were not even a challenge. A couple pieces of melon and a muffin and I was on my way.
The next 15 miles or so were up one hill and down the other and I realized that the hills were not as challenging as I had expected. In fact they were my strong point. On the flats the people in front of me would slowly pull away, but when the hills came, the crest of the hill would put me almost even with them again. And though there were only a couple riders as far back as me, it really felt good to know that I could keep up with a couple.
As I closed in on the 57 mile mark it was a welcome sight to see my mother in law coming down the road to offer some encouragement and some fuel for my body. A quick gatorade and a stretch of the legs and away I went.
My legs were now starting to get weary and I knew there was a giant hill to come. My mother in law had informed me that a big percentage of the riders walk a portion of this particular hill so I should not be to concerned if I needed to do the same. I was hoping to not have to walk any of the hills but would not feel bad if had to be done, and at just 80 yards from the top of the monster at Alcona I had to get off the seat and walk it the rest of the way. I still can not figure out why my body would let me push the bike up the rest of the hill but would not allow me one more pedal. Huh?
After cresting the hill I was able to enjoy a nice coast before having to continue pedalling. My next break would come with about 25 miles left, where my wonderful wife and son were waiting for me with a couple of the volunteers. I indulged in a couple more muffins and some fruit, stretched once more and off I went. Now wearier than ever and wondering what I had gotten myself into. I was sure I could make it now, but my legs and butt were really starting to feel the ride and I started to question myself as to just how sure I was that I could make it.
Just 8 or 9 miles down the road wife and son waited again, and wished me well as a grabbed a drink and a couple crackers before heading off on the last 11 miles.
The final 11 miles was by far the hardest 11 miles I have ever spent on a bike. I could sit not more than a minute or two, then I would have to stand and pedal. Alternating between sitting, stand, pedalling, and coasting, that last section seemed like an eternity. I was never going to make it. Then out of nowhere a car came by and slowed down by my side. The passengers of the car cheered me on and said I could do it, only a few more miles, great job. That was all I needed and before I knew it I could see my family and the timing lights at the finish line.
8 hours 59 minutes and 56 seconds after starting I crossed the finish line. Legs aching, neck sore, and fingers numb, but I made it. As my son kindly loaded my bike into the truck and I sat in the car a chill came over me. I had not really paid any attention to the fact that it rained, a cool rain, for the past nine hours, and now that I was not moving it was actually quite chilly. Or maybe it was just the simple fact that my body was drained.
A motel room was calling, and do not get me wrong about this because I am definitely not a bath man, but the next twenty minutes soaking in the warm tub was one of the most wonderful feeling I have ever experienced, and was enough time to convince myself that I really did it and was definitely going to do it again next year.
Thanks to my wonderful family and friends for all the support.
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