Rather than a formal ride report, I just have a few notes:
A. We had great weather. It was maybe in the mid-60s in the morning,
overcast (a few sprinkles); then we had partial clearing and the temperature
might have gotten up into the mid-70s. There was no wind to speak of -- my
husband who did the 100 mile loop caught a breeze in some open agricultural
lands and also at the very end of the day. To my mind, this is perfect
cycling weather.
B. Rose did very well on the ride with me. She pulled her weight and didn't
complain. OK, towards the last bit of the very last nasty ascent of the day
(see elevation profile:
http://www.cascade.org/EandR/flying/img/fw_elevation_2002.jpg) on the
Issaquah-Falls City road she threatened me -- that if I were lying, and this
was not the end of it, she would never trust me again -- but I did come
through, my memory was not faulty, and it was indeed the last stretch of
that brutal climb. And she really did shine on the flats -- she can just
pedal and pedal and pedal. This bodes well for STP, which is mostly a
flat-ish ride with only a few hills.
C. I find it helpful to set intentions through one or two-word focii for a
long ride like this. My keywords for the ride were: communication and
positive attitude. Rose's key words were food and finish. I think we did
fine on all of these -- Rose and I did well as a team, we both maintained a
good attitude, we refueled properly at the rest stops, and we did indeed
make it successfully over the finish line.
D. My husband took just another hour compared to us to complete the 100 mile
course. I took Rose home (we live only 10 minutes by car to the start line)
and then returned to pick him up. He said he'd just ride home. I did the
100 three years ago and know what it is like. You'd much rather have someone
get you!
E. When we were about five miles from the finish, there were two police cars
turning around cars on the road. As bikes, we got to pedal through. We saw a
bike on the ground with a hydration pack and some gear lying askew, and
scariest, a blood smear on the pavement. I guess the rider had already been
carried away in an aid car. Rose then nervously asked how often something
like that happened on a ride like this. I told her that in my experience,
where accidents happen the most is at the very beginning of a ride (people
are hyped up, the bikes are more crowded together), and then, like this
apparent accident, towards the end, when a rider is tired, maybe a little
brain-fuzzed from not eating right, and makes a bad decision or has a moment
of inattention.
F. We were originally planning to go out for dinner after the ride, but were
too flattened. Fortunately, Pagliacci's delivers.
I also might write something about the parenting aspect of this experience,
but it has probably too little bicycling content. Maybe I'll write it later
and post it to misc.kids.moderated.
--
Warm Regards,
Claire Petersky
Personal page: http://www.geocities.com/cpetersky/
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky
