Had no plan - I showed up at the start line and happened to spot two co-workers who were riding together, so I joined them not knowing if I could keep up as they had ridden sub five hour in the event previously.
I had ridden most of the course during training so I was looking forward to the rollers around mile 13 to test myself. Well the first hill I always seem to struggle on and it was no different - but at the same time when there is no where to go since you are surrounded by people that makes a difference too. Roll through rest stop area two trying to avoid people slowing down to stop, head North towards Electra. Still feeling great as we roll through some more hills. Blow through Electra and rest stop 3. Must say it was awesome to see the road leading to the rest stop lined with American flag. One of the co-workers I was riding with was from Italy, so every time we passed someone on an Italian bike or wearing an Italian jersey he would get all excited and talk to them in Italian.
Every so often the guys I was riding with would check behind to make sure I was still hanging on. Shortly after we Electra the Swiss guy said to slow down but I was like I'm okay keep going - in hindsight I think he might have been talking for himself. We were rolling along at 24-25 mph. Rest Stop 4 is just ahead at mile 42. This was my first planned stop as I am the chairperson for the stop. We roll in and I check to make sure everything is going ok, not like I could have done anything if it wasn't!!! We roll out and next thing you know we are at rest stop 5. The Italian guy asks if I need to stop, I tell him I am fine and check with the other guy. Well they decide they need to stop - WTF?!!! I had eaten a portion of a detour bar as we had ridden along. Decided to eat an orange and a portion of a banana. We finally make it out of there. Legs feeling fine.
Again the next 10 miles going blazing by, then we turn onto the I-44 access road and hit our first head wind. Still feeling good, so I put my head down and am pulling about 19 miles into the wind. Well I hear the Italian guy telling me we are losing the Swiss guy, so I back off. We get back together and as we are rolling through the 60 mile rest stop, the Swiss guy tells us to go ahead that he has lead in his legs. The Italian guy convinces to stay with us that maybe once we get out of the headwind he will feel alright, so he decides to give it a go. Made Hell's Gate around 9:40. Our pace at this point had been 20.5 mph for race time, didn't think to check the ride pace. We are still making pretty good time in my estimation, but we realize the Swiss guy had fallen back so we we waited for him to catch back up. He finally convinced the Italian guy that he would be alright. We take back off. We caught a guy from my group rides about mile 68. He asks if he can jump, be my guest. It was slightly downhill and I pulling 23-24 mph. Flew through rest stop 7 at mile 69. Don't recall the group ride guy still being with us. I start to slow down a little so the Italian gets back on the front and starts to pull me to the end. We stop at mile 78. Since it had been an hour since I had eaten anything I eat a few oranges and bananas, fill the water bottles, walk back over to the bikes, he has to use the bathroom. I tell him my parents are waiting at the next intersection maybe 1000 meters and I would wait for him there. Visit with my parents tell them I am still feeling pretty good at least I thought I was.
He rides up we take off and wham we hit that headwind. I try to tuck behind him but am stuggling. I start experiencing stomach cramps and feel kind of nauseated. I think I had drank 6 bottles of water and 4 bottles of powerade/gatorade to this point. He's pulling people along but his committment to me he pulls out to stay with me. Every little hill (bump) in the road I struggle to pull 14-16 mph. We finally reach the rest stop at 92 miles. I use the restroom for the first time - fill two of the three water bottles with Powerade cause that seems to perk me up. Decide it might be a good time to take my first Honey Stinger Gold Gel. Boy did that pick me. So were cruising along about 8 miles to go and I find myself struggling up a hill again and another rider sees me struggling. He tells me I can do it just hang in there so I grab his wheel as he grabs the Italians wheel and we wisk along. I about died coming over the final overpass. Italian guy tells me we have about 2 minutes to make it under 5 hours ride time. Well we didn't make it but then again it was 102 miles and not 100 so I was happy with that!! My bike computer also showed a 20 mile average! I completed my first 100 mile ride in 5:28:49 according to my chip time. My ultimate goal was sub 5, but realistically I figured my finishing time would be between 5:15 and 5:30, 18-19 avg including the rest stops. Averaged out at 18.6
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2 comments:
Congrats on completing your first HH100! Sounds like you found a good group of guys to ride with. I agree that the 100-miler route should go through SAFB. That was one of the best parts of the ride!
sweet! but you're a bit behind in updating here :) game on for halfs this winter. i've run our shamrock half twice, but haven't trained consistently in over 2 years. want to wager about times?
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