Okay, in my Day 2 RtR post I alluded that RtR is a "stop and smell the roses" ride and after today I have to amend my comment. Not many pics to share from this day because we were riding too hard to take the time. Today's ride brought back memories of a Kyle Yost-like (http://www.slowtwitch.com/Interview/Meet_SavageMan_Kyle_Yost_1927.html) training ride in Deep Creek, Maryland.
Last night, while talking about riding, Fast Woman, bikes, and the occasional national interest story me, Rick, Eric (the Diesel) Chris, Dan, Robin, and a few others opted to meet at 7:15 and group-up for the 80 mile ride to Steamboat.
Ryan from Shimano who tweaked my rig on Day 1
The ride started as planned with the Diesel doing his thing by pulling hard on the moderate and rolling terrain for the first 15 miles. From here on in we had some long climbs of various grades and some steady and strong headwinds. Several of the group dropped off as we were pushing a good pace and after an hour or so we were down to me, Rick, Diesel, Dan (from Golden) and occasionally Ron Kiefel of Team 7-11 and 7 TDFs.
Rick at Aid Station 2
We kept together over the first climb of about 7% with me and Rick doing most of the work as Eric the Diesel and Ron were satisfied to let us keep the pace as climbing was not a strength.
Rick and the Diesel on the first Climb
After the first climb we kept the group together in to the second aid station with a fun descent. We refueled briefly and prepared for the second long climb of the day. At this point it was me, Rick, Dan, and Eric remaining and immediately leaving the aid station we started working together as the head winds were really strong. We traded places taking the pulls to manage the 11 mile climb and the headwinds. We lost the diesel on the climb and the three of us worked our @$$e$ off making it to the top.
The level of effort continued in to Aid Station 3 and this is where we picked-up Robin and the Diesel caught-up with us. We rolled out with a foursome in a paceline to work the headwinds. Robin is a superb amateur cyclist and triathlete who was keeping the group organized so we could maintain a pace and conserve energy. Heck, if we let the men in the group lead we would have been fragmented and too much testosterone clouds good judgment!
Eric the Diesel
At this point it was very little chit-chat and mostly 1-2 minute pulls at the front. We took turns doing the work and occasionally picked-up another rider. We kept riding REAL HARD in to aid station 4 and here is where we added Robin to the mix, the Diesel caught-up but we lost Dan. We left Dan here as we carelessly departed without him.............bad cycling etiquette so sorry Dan!!
The group rolled-out and we took 60 second pulls to keep fighting the headwinds. We added Ron Kiefel and a few others along the way and the line grew to about 7. The level of effort was tremendous and as we approached Aid Station 5 the diesel started to lose his mojo a bit as we surged and accelerated. Pulling in to Aid Station 5 it was Rick, Me, Robin, Ron, a fading Diesel, and another guy Eric. As we were ready to roll out Dan from Golden arrived. He worked the previous 10 miles ALONE in to the wind and arrived just as we were ready to leave. He grabbed some water and got back in the group.............amazing effort by Dan!!
Ron and Robin at Aid Station 5
About 18 miles to go and we kept pushing.......and pushing..........and pushing in to Steamboat. Dan and I commented "are we going to ease-up at all??" needless to say that is one of the strange things about this sport. At times a vibe goes through a group and no one wants to quit, ease-up, show weakness, whatever, and before you know it you have hammered for hours...........
Anyway, with big Ron pushing the pace (a TDF pedigree does this I guess) and the rest of us following suit we cruised in to Steamboat and were smoked. Rick commented "That was Fun" and I couldn't agree more. My legs were beat but a very satisfying day in the saddle
JOCMO: Riding hard with great cyclists and keeping a group to the end. It is amazing how one can find energy sometimes when motivated by others.
No comments:
Post a Comment