It’s interesting the routes that I make up for myself are usually harder than the actual race. I feel I have to do this so I know i can conquer it on race day. I’ve always been this way with all sports. No matter the opponent I feel I must take on a bigger challenge to prepare. This past challenge has beaten me twice now. 220mi/16000′ elevation, going from Santa Clarita to Lake Hughes to Gorman around Heartbreak century ride then back home.
I put in an attempt on Aug 7th, but the task was too daunting with winds hitting 30mph in Gorman by the time I arrived. I was able to get in 109mi, but after falling, of course not off my bike. I was overheating going through Pine Canyon so I stopped at a creek to cool off. after finishing in the creek I was walking back to the road and slipped on a granite boulder falling onto my hip and scratching both legs up on the way down.This caused a problem for the rest of the ride, because now I couldn’t push on my right leg very well, so I had to use my left leg for the last 35 miles of the ride. One of the final passes evidently was too much and I was walking, when someone came by and gave me a ride back into town. thus (FAIL #1)
Without support this ride is obviously too much. But, since I’m a stubborn mule, I tried again Aug 14th. I did much better, but the end result is that I will need support to finish this ride. This time I started a bit earlier, 4:20am and I was able to get to Lake Hughes by sunrise. This helped by cooling me down through Pine Canyon, and less wind into Gorman. There was still wind, as always in Gorman, but 20mph is sooo much better than 30mph. I still got to Carl’s Jr and had to eat and sit for a while, cooling off and stretching to get ready for the next stretch. This time I had a better handle on my nutrition taking Prolong every 60min, and every 30min taking Endurolytes with Powerade, I also added in some GU every 30min. So alternating back and forth between these helped me to keep going throughout the ride.
By the time I had reached Gorman it was already 80 degrees and very Sunny. I filled up my water bottles with Ice and water and every 15min poured it over my head to cool down. This helped quite a bit but I had to stop 15 miles later because all the ice was already gone, along with a good portion of my water. After refilling at Lake of the Woods, I headed up Cuddy Valley toward Mt. Pinos/Pine Mt. by the time I got to the turnoff toward Pine Mt, I had already passed my time. I needed to be there by 12pm and it was now 1pm and I know I wasn’t going to make it back before midnight if I kept on. So, I decided to climb Mt. Pinos instead.
This was a great idea that didn’t end up the way I had planned. After about 4 miles I was feeling rather sluggish and when I looked down I noticed my back tire was flat. So I was attempting to change it when I wasn’t able to because I had bought a tube with a stem that was too short for my wheel. Luckily I had another tube and another CO2 so I was able to change it. But, now I have quite a ways to go and I have no spare and no support. I decided that it was best I head home and hope that the 80+ miles home wouldn’t have any problems. Next time I will check that all the stems will work.
The next part was fun 30-50mph for the next 15miles was fun but also a bit scary when the wind pushed for the side occasionally. Luckily the speed limit was 45mph and I was doing at least that for a good portion so the traffic wasn’t even trying to pass me. Back to Frazier park and then the climb before the descent at Gorman. The rollers were great through Gorman and down to Pine Canyon. I made it to Pine Canyon by 3:30pm and I knew climbing through the canyon was going to be very hot at this time of day. So, I decided to take a cool down break and eat my Oatmeal pancakes with peanut butter and honey. mmmmmmm
The trek back was still difficult at 3:50 when i got going, but a few trees shaded my way through the heat. Climbing back to Lake Hughes wasn’t as bad as last time, because I could use both legs. As I turned onto Lake Hughes Rd. my legs were already starting to cramp a bit so I used as much nutrition as I could knowing that those last 3 climbs would stop me if I pushed through this area. As I reached the base of the 1st climb my legs were still cramping and I stopped to stretch and take the last of my nutrition that I had with me. After about 5min I was able to resume and finish the ride without incident. It’s interesting how you learn through experience to listen to your body and know not to just try and push through it. You know when your at your limit and when you just need to take a quick break to finish. A year ago I would’ve tried to push through that and would’ve slammed right into the wall(so to speak). Ultra racing has been a learning experience in that, it isn’t about going fast as much as accepting where you are right now and dealing with each situation to the best of your ability at the time.
As for this ride, I will be back with support, and I will conquer you.
