Saturday, May 9th 2009
Before the Ride
I’m not much of a blogger, I think about blogging as I’m doing events, but lack the time to type it out. I also struggle with writing trying to tailor it to who may be reading what I’ve written or whoever may have experienced the event along with me. This experience however I make no excuses… This was a very personal experience, an adventure that I undertook that required me to dig deeper than I ever have. An explanation is in order before my story.
I undertook this ride because of its location as I have fought many fires in the general area. I love the coastal highway and the remote and rugged beauty of the area. I have always enjoyed the drive over Naciamento-Furguson Road. Yet there was always a down side to fighting fire in this area as well, we were based on Ft Hunter Liggett, an inhospitable furnace of dry grasslands on rolling hills far from civilization. I hated every minute of our time in camp. We seemed to always work night shifts which required us to sleep during the day in 100+ degree temperatures. I found that fighting wildland fires over the past 16 years required me to dig deep mentally in order to handle the extreme variables of the terrain, the weather, the fire, and the extremely long shifts, I looked forward to revisiting one of the toughest which was viewable from Naciamento-Furguson Road. This ride was very personal in so many ways and little did I realize when I started that I would have to dig far deeper than I ever have before.
Having completed the Solvang Double with a successful time and still feeling great and having done four mountainous centuries last year I felt I was ready for this ride. My training was railroaded two weeks prior when I suffered from overtraining but I adjusted and was able to go into this ride sensibly. The week prior I took it easy but kept the riding going and had a great week. I packed over the days preceding the ride so the morning of I felt I had taken care of every detail. I packed like I was headed to a fire thinking everything through and making sure I had everything I would need in any situation yet packing as light as possible. So I thought… I even rode the course in my mind and attempted to map it using MapMyRide but the program got buggy after mapping 100 miles and locked up.
My bike and anything I didn’t need that morning was loaded in the back of our Suburban the night before so I could make a quick exit. Dian started feeling nervous about me riding this ride solo and not having any support and asked if she should SAG for me. I reassured her I would be fine. I wanted her support but I knew how unbelievably boring a 15+ hour day would be for her.
I was able to turn in by 9:00PM with the alarm set for 3:00AM. I slept well and woke feeling rested. Realizing I needed to make breakfast before I left I quickly went down stairs and prepared a full breakfast consisting of a cheese omelet, waffles, sausage, and grape juice. I then mixed my water bottles, got dressed and rolled out for Paso Robles at 3:45AM, 15 minutes behind schedule. Time I would wish I had as I was nervous all the way there.
- On the road to Paso. Great nights sleep. Weather forecast has changed to very favorable conditions. Thanks for all the well wishes!3:56 AM May 9th from Twittelator
The drive was smooth as the roads were all mine. Not many people are foolish enough to be driving at this hour. I recalculated the distance and time it would take on my iPhone numerous times until the panic of forgetting my tail light set in. Too late to go back I tried to figure out what I could do to create a makeshift light. I came up with my iPhone utilizing the flashlight application. It would have to do if I couldn’t track down a loaner. I tried to suppress the nervousness of will I make it on time, my taillight, and how will I perform. Can I do this? I managed, the irrational thoughts were ever present, but I managed.
Miles 0 to 30 Santa Rosa Creek Road Hilltop
I arrived in Paso and reported to the Hotel that was indicated as check-in driving right past the park that would be our start. They had moved check-in to the park, lost another 10 minutes; only 20 minutes until start, and I still have to work the taillight situation. Arrived at the park and checked in, quick and painless, obtained a taillight, found the bathroom, and made it to the briefing.
- 5 min to the start. Nearly 200 riders. Mass starts are awesome. Really cut it tight, here now and ready to ride!5:27 AM May 9th from Twittelator
We start in less than 3 minutes, did I forget anything? No. Did I lock the truck? Not sure, better go back. I worked my way through the crowd rode a block, locked it and got to the back of the pack as the song of a start sounded everyone was clicking their shoes into their pedals. Whew! Here we go…
I can relax and ride now. How cool is this, riding with 200 people through the streets of Paso Robles. I worked my way toward the front as I remembered my strategy. Hang with a group that can help me battle the winds of Highway 1. I can always fall back if the group is to fast but I don’t want to get stuck struggling alone into what could be an 18 mph or greater headwind. We rode out of Paso Robles over some of the most beautiful rolling country roads. We traveled Adelaide, Vinyard, Jack Creek, and York Mountain Roads climbing nearly 2,000 feet in just 20 miles to get to Highway 46. I found myself being dropped on a few of the climbs up to Highway 46, along with a couple of other riders, but managed to catch them on the descents and even assisting a few riders to catch the pack. We then worked our way toward Cambria travelling over the wall on San Antonio Creek Road. A road I’ve heard so much about. At this point I’ve let the lead group go knowing I have most of the riders behind me. I stopped on one of the steep descents to pick up a water bottle for one of the guys I had assisted. It flew out of his cage and he didn’t even notice. The first rest stop was poised at the top of the wall with a great view to the Northwest looking out toward the Ocean and down toward Cambria and a view back over what we had just climbed.
Miles 30 to 67 Cambria to Ragged Point
As I rode on from the first rest stop I was feeling great and near the front of the all the riders maybe 20 or so have gone ahead of me. I had high hopes of doing a great solo double at this point. The descent was great but very rough. I had to stop and use two of the safety pins holding my rider number on to pin my handle bar bag straps to prevent them from coming undone. The vibration of the road was loosening them up and they would actually come undone. The riders flying past on the descent were courteous and asked if I was ok. I started back up and quickly hooked up with two other riders which turned into six and then fifteen by the time we turned right onto Highway 1 leaving Cambria. The last of civilization we would see for the rest of the ride. We were heading into the remote and rugged terrain ahead.
The paceline of fifteen gathered great momentum and we plowed into the 5 to 10 mph headwind at 20 to 25 mph. This lasted for 10 to 15 miles until we caught another group of roughly 15 riders we were now 30. Within minutes we were caught by another paceline of around 20 riders lead by three tandems and a mess of jockeying for position ensued. Being near the back paid off and I jumped pacelines. I had to be very attentive as rider after rider fell off leaving gaps that I and a couple others had to work to close. This lasted for a few miles until we started hitting the rollers and the tandems started dropping one by one. I sat on the wheel of one for a few miles and let a group of just five go. We were now at Ragged Point our second rest stop, the businesses were closed and civilization is 20 miles behind us. Not that I needed anything.
Miles 67 to 87 Ragged Point to Mill Creek
I left the rest stop alone and alone I would ride from here on out except for the last 10 miles. To think I had actually thought for awhile that this might be a good way to go, ride solo to see how I might fare, NOT! This next leg up Highway 1 was awesome, short, moderate climbs with long descents. I remembered the road well from last Septembers San Francisco to Lompoc trip. I even remembered the only cell spot we had found, so I stopped to check in with Dian since I hadn’t been able to Tweet up to this point and knew I wouldn’t be able to send out any updates until I arrived at Ft Hunter Liggett. What more can I say about Highway 1, it’s beautiful! 87 miles down and rest stop 3 is in a turnout on the side of the road just shy of Naciamento-Furguson Road. Just as I’m approaching the stop I’ve got my camera out getting ready to take a photo of the canyon to my right, I’m crossing a bridge, and look up to find a truck coming at me head on, passing on a double yellow lined narrow bridge. I’m still here to talk about it by the grace of God.
Miles 87 to 119, Mill Creek to Mission San Antonio
I advised the rest stop staff of my rider number and just pressed on starting the 7.4 mile climb up Naciamento-Furguson Road. The climb averaged an 8-18% grade and the cool ocean breeze quickly disappeared. 65 degrees changed to 80 degrees plus. I stopped and removed my underarmor shirt and peddled on and up. I was passed by four or five riders, I chatted with one or two for a moment and let them take the mountain at their pace and I stayed at mine. I was soaked by the time I reached the top. They had a water station at the top and I needed it. To this point I was spot on with my fuel and water. Everything is going great. I’ve put in 112 miles and climbed nearly 9,000 feet I’m over the half way point, riding and climbing.
The descent was great too! The staff at the water stop warned of rocks and debris on the road below so I was conservative but still had a great descent. Before I knew it I was at the bottom flying through the forest and swarms of lady bugs, very cool! Actually very hot but I hadn’t noticed yet. Then I hit the West Gate into Ft Hunter Liggett and he advised we had to walk our bikes over the bridge ahead. That was my landmark, just a few miles after would be the San Antonio Mission, our lunch spot. The heat became evident as we hit the rolling grasslands of the base, now out of the trees my body wasn’t adjusting well. I went from 65 to 95 degrees in less than an hour and a half. What the climb didn’t take out of me the heat did. I was heat stressed as I rolled into the Mission.
- Nac-Furg Rd was tough!! 7.4 mi climb. I'm recovering at the lunch stop, the Mission on Ft Hunter Liggett. 112 mi & over 9,000' done.2:16 PM May 9th from Twittelator
- Great start this morning 55 deg. Avg 17 with over 2,000' of climbing at 40 mi. Winds weren't to bad on the 50 mi of Hwy 1. Then the climb.2:22 PM May 9th from Twittelator
I was feeling queasy and suffering from hot foot, I thought eating would settle my stomach, so I ate a roast beef sandwich, had a few chips and when that didn’t work, I ate a power bar. What was I thinking? I even tried a few sips of Squirt. I haven’t drank soda in three years. I sent out my first Tweet and let everyone know I was doing ok. I lowered my saddle as my right knee was still bothering me. Two weeks prior I brought it up when someone stated it looked too low. Bad idea! I checked out of the lunch spot having taken 30 to 45 minutes recovering. They stopped your time while you were there, so much for making up time there. I had thought about just checking in and riding on but the heat changed that. There were only a dozen or so riders at the lunch site and many had left before I was ready and others were just arriving. I set out on my own. Feeling a little bloated but a little less queasy.
Miles 119 to 150 Mission San Antonio to Harden Square
The ride out the gate was where I had become aware of why I was hurting. The electronic gate sign indicated it was 95 degrees, so much for the reports that it would be a cool 75 degrees. I rolled out the gate and took the left onto Jolon Road straight into a 10 to 15 mph head wind and a steady climb for nearly 10 miles, I struggled to get my legs back but just kept pressing forward knowing there would be a nice descent. At this point I was realizing my water supply wasn’t going to make it to the next rest stop. I was counting on stopping at a store that I thought would be on the corner where we would be turning right. Nope! It was further down the road, so it was time to conserve. Right turn on San Lucas, Ouch! Another climb, short but tough. I was finally riding with a tailwind and prayed this would be the case for many miles. The water was gone with over 10 miles to the rest stop and only half of a bottle of recovery mix but my stomach wasn’t tolerating it. Thank goodness! They placed another water stop at Highway 101, I was hoping there would be a convenient store there, no such luck, still out there in the middle of know where far from civilization.
- Brutal 16 mi head wind and climb out of Ft Hunter Liggett & 92 degrees to add to the pain. Ran out of water. I love the SAG support!4:34 PM May 9th from Twittelator
At this point I went from what I have heard people refer to as a “happy place” to a place you just don’t ever want to be. Had Dian actually come with me I would have consider abandoning the event at this point. I went from how many miles I had completed and how many feet I had climbed to what I had left. I had reached 150 miles and knew I had 68 to go. I tried to break that into two 34 mile rides but it wasn’t working especially when I hit the next climb going up Lockwood-San Lucas Road, no more tail wind just lots of climbing long steady climbs.
- There is no making up time on this ride, been climb, climb, climb! This is a suffer fest. Just realized I've been riding solo for 100 mi.5:46 PM May 9th from Twittelator
I had to stop several times for my hot foot. It appeared to really affect me on the climbs. Had a nice run in with a teenager passing by twice hanging out of a truck being stupid and I wasn’t in a good mood! I refrained from saying or signaling my displeasure as I was riding solo and there were four of them. Now another welcomed descent riding into the next rest stop on the corner of a Lockwood-San Lucas and Jolon Roads.
Miles 150 to 185 Harden Square to Bradley
They had ICE!! Oh was that a treat. I dumped what little mix I had left in my bottles loaded both with ice and filled them up with straight water. I forced down another GU. Nothing I was carrying was appealing anymore. I drank a bottle and then refilled it and rolled on only to hear someone make a comment about the climb on Interlake Road. Didn’t need to hear that. Rolled on again feeling a little lifted by the ice and water. The suffer-fest had appeared to ease up as the tailwind assisted with the rolling hills.
- Very pleasant temps with a nice tail wind now. Hoping to male up some time. It's going to be a late night. 140 miles down 78 to go.5:36 PM May 9th from Twittelator
Made some great time but I was sucking down a bottle of water every 10 miles. I wasn’t going to make it to the next rest stop. Now I was praying for a store near the lake. I found it! I rolled up and the folks walking out were the owners, they were closed. Sighhh.. I think the gentleman read the disappointment on my face when he asked “Do you need some water partner?” I purchased enough water to top off the bottles and some Sugar Babies. I told him I was on my way back to Paso and he said “Oh you only have 20 miles to go”. I informed I still had 50 miles the way the course was sending me. He asked if I was climbing the hill ahead, I said I guess so. He said “It’s two miles exactly to the top”. I thanked him and walked out determined and humbled by all the climbing on this course. What was I thinking when I started this, and I thought I could be competitive on this?
I was now realizing that I was going to be rolling in really late. My 15 hour goal was going to be missed by hours! On the flip side of my dejected thinking the Sugar Babies were kicking in and I was riding somewhat better. The two mile climb came and I rode it slow and steady reaching the top and finding another water stop.
- Just finished another 2 mi climb. I'm above Naciamento Lake. 46 mi to go!7:36 PM May 9th from Twittelator
Filled up a bottle and motored on. Darkness was coming quick and the temps were dropping quickly. I hoped I had enough to stay warm on the way in. The road headed North, Ugh, this is away from Paso, its South! I finally made it to Highway 101 and we rode from one exit to the next, exiting at Bradley.
Another rest stop ahead, I was finally ahead on the water game. It was dark, very dark now! I followed a taillight ahead of me, and while looking around at the spooky little farming town and realizing how dark it was in this town at 8:30PM the taillight disappeared, where did it go? I hit the edge of town and knew I must have missed a turn to the rest stop. I flipped around and quickly found it. This town would make a great set for the Twilight Zone.
Miles 185 to 201 Bradley to Indian Valley Road
Wow, people, cyclists, and food! Hot dogs! No way, I ate one quickly and fought the urge to eat another. Best hot dog I’ve ever had and the first in many years.
- In Bradley and it's dark! 35 mi to go. Two more climbs. Hanging tough. Can't wait to be finished.8:40 PM May 9th from Twittelator
All I wanted to do was get this over so I headed out solo again, powered by Sugar Babies and a hot dog. Again, I heard we had a climb ahead, a 5 mile climb up Hare Canyon. When will it ever end! It was dark very dark. Hare Canyon wasn’t too bad just long and steady with a few reliefs on the way up. Hit the top and it looked like it would be all downhill from here.
Wow, a full moon! It was nice to have some twilight. The light was a welcome relief. I started down riding somewhat conservatively; I sensed I would need to. Half way down my reservation was realized the twilight revealed three raccoons making a crossing perfectly spaced to take up the whole road. Trying to slow and make it between them I inadvertently skidded. They froze and the one to my left turned around, I rode right between the noses of two of them. Whew!
It was all downhill from that point other than a few little bumps in the road. I had passed and been passed by another cyclist several times on the climb and after the descent. I passed him again on a turn fortunately for me he tailed me as his light assisted me when mine went out. He stopped while I fixed it. We rode the last 15 miles to the finish together. We made a quick stop at one remote rest stop at an RV parked on the side of Indian Valley Road.
Miles 201 to 216 Indian Valley Road to Paso Robles!
Paso Robles could be seen to the south, and how I longed for civilization. The cruel jokes didn’t stop we were now headed east away from Paso. When would it ever end? The company made it a little more bearable. It wasn’t long before we were riding along the airport and then heading back toward the city. The ride through the city was such a relief, I felt like I could have ridden for miles but that wasn’t necessary and I was all too happy to check in at the park.
There wasn’t a grand finish no finish line to cross, no fans, friends, or family waiting, just some guy with his daughter recording our rider numbers. That was it we were done. He then handed us our commemorative patch and offered a congratulations. I so looked forward to getting back to the truck and getting out of my gear. McDonald French Fries had been on my mind for some time and that was my first stop after I called home. Dian reminded me to make my final Twitter post so all those that had rallied around me offering words of encouragement would know it was over and that I had finished.
- Finished! Toughest thing I have ever done. 218 miles! 15:10 riding, 17:37 total, 15,102' of climbing. 14.3 mph avg.12:02 PM May 10th from Twittelator
- Thanks for all the words of encouragement. It helped. If you happen to find my legs out there on the road, please pick them up.12:09 PM May 10th from Twittelator
Ride Stats:
Distance: 218.4 mi
Total Time: 17 hrs 37 min
On-bike Time: 15 hrs 10 min
Average Speed(on the bike): 14.3 mph
Total Climbing: 13,800 ft
http://www.centralcoastdouble.com/
Sunday, May 10, 2009
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