I actually got to do one event on my calendar this year! And even it was in jeopardy because of weather. But I had decided they would have to cancel the event and make us go home before I would give up. But the weather was great with only a 5 minute shower and the day was eventful.
We started early arriving a little before 7 to get our packets and bikes ready. Danny arrived in his DOTD orange jersey loaded with salt tabs, shot blocks, and anything else he could carry. This was his first organized ride, so he wanted to be extra prepared. Christine was struggling to wake up but was otherwise ready to roll. At Christine’s insistence, we avoided the front of the group and stayed near the rear. We were in the thick of things last year on accident.
We rolled out at 7:30 and I was ready to go. It has been tough all year not racing. And reading everyone else’s race reports has not made it any easier. But this was only a bike “ride” not a “race.” My two races were canceled. So for many miles, I was itching to take off every time someone would pass me. In the grand scheme of things, I knew it would be a fun but long day with Danny & Christine and racing was not what we were there for. Anyway, Christine doesn’t get too competitive with other people, so she didn’t mind getting passed. Or did she??????? (more later)
We cruised through the first 10 miles dodging jettisoned water bottles and other gear on the rougher sections before we made it to the first aid stop. A couple of bananas later and we were motoring on. The next stop was around 20 miles for more bananas, some more Gatorade, and even a photo op. I was settling into the “enjoy the ride this is not a race” mentality. It was difficult, but we were having fun goofing off.
Somewhere between the 20 to 30 mile aid stations, Danny dropped us for another team. I guess we were just not good enough for him. After all I tried to teach him, he just threw us away for the first fancy jersey that got on his wheel. Actually, he was about 20 yards ahead of us when another group came by. When they got on his wheel, he thought it was me and pedaled on. Only when he was probably a half mile ahead of us did he realize we weren’t there! Christine and I got a good laugh and slowly reeled him back in.
Between the 30 and 40 mile aid stations, we hit the long uphill we joked about last year. I tried to hurry up it to get a picture of Christine on the climb, but she is much better climbing this year. So that didn’t work.
We made it to the 40 mile aid station for more of the same: bananas, gatorade and candy bars! And we also picked up a stray…….
Between the 40 and 50 mile station, I went to the front for the remainder of the ride. I wanted to control the pace and keep Christine right behind me where I could watch her pace. And Danny has a tendency to go off an leave us when he gets on the front (just joking!) As we were pedaling along, I glanced back to check the pack and realized there were 4 of us. Hmmm. Me, Danny, and Christine. That makes 3. So who is the mystery 4th rider? Just some guy who tacked on to the back. No problem. We were doing our own thing, so I didn’t care if he joined the group.
Christine’s legs were starting to let her know they weren’t happy, so we were really having to watch things closely. And that is when the dogs saw us( plural meaning more than one!). Christine hates being chased by dogs. Our usual approach is for her to take off and for me to get between the dogs and her bike. And as planned, she flies by on my left with our tag along on her wheel! I guess he was scared too! As soon as we were out of harm’s way, Danny and I slowed up to let Christine catch her breath. Our 4th rider ended up about 30 yards in front of us, so we figured he would head on. He appeared to start to move on and then he turned around in the road, came back to us, and got back on the back wheel. Now I just felt used.
I didn’t mind riding on the front because the wind had picked up and I wanted Christine to draft. But this guy just sucked on the back wheel like we had invited him. But I am sure he would stick with us if we had problems…….(later.)
We stopped at our last stop and refueled. The sky was darkening a bit and we were all ready to get back by now. And lo and behold, as soon as we headed out our shadow jumped on the back. But we were on the home stretch and things looked good. Until Christine said her front tire was going flat. The shadow rider pulled along side her and confirmed it. Well, he is good for something. Like I said, if we ran into problems he would be there to help.
It appeared to be a slow leak, so I decided to stop and hit it with some CO2 to make it back in. We all stopped and the shadow kept going now latched onto another group! Are you serious! I drag him around for 15 miles, and he blows by when we have trouble. Not real thrilled with that one. Anyway, I hit the tire with gas and told Christine to take off. I didn’t know how long the air would last, so I wanted to get as many miles as possible before I had to refill. We still had about 8 or 9 miles to go at this point.
And a few miles later, we had to refill again. But we were making it. Until we almost got killed. As we were making a right turn at a red light, a truck came screaming around making a left turn and cutting across both lanes aiming straight at Danny. Christine screamed, Danny went off road and I sat their staring in disbelief. The truck swerved at the last moment avoiding the crash and then I noticed the bike rack on the back. He was a rider! The moron should have known better. We were all shaken, but we continued on and soon were a lot closer to the finish. And then it started to rain. And Christine’s tire was low again.
So we stopped for the third time to refill as more and more people passed us. It was after the ride that I found out that Christine hated being passed by people while we were on the side of the road. Evidently, she had some competition out there that I was not aware of!
As I was putting my CO2 back in its pouch, a truck stopped to see if I need help. THE TRUCK! I told him I was fine and didn’t recognize it until he drove off. What a twist. He almost kills us and then offers help.
By the time I caught up with Christine, she was entering the gates at the finish. We made it. We survived. Danny had just finished his first long ride.
And then he crashed……at the back of his car……trying to get his feet out his pedals.
Don’t worry Danny, nobody saw you do it and I won’t tell a soul!
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