Wild West Ride

[DDH]

Well, DH and I are off this morning to ride in the Waco Wild West Ride. We are suppose to ride 50 miles today and we just watched the weather. Winds 18 to 20. I'm suppose to meet Texascyclist up there this morning and ride with her, and I am excited to finally meet one of the TE girls and have the chance to ride with her. I'm just scared about this wind.
One of us will take some pictures and post them when we get back.
This ought to be fun, I'm trying to pump myself up for this 50 miles can you tell. LOL I'm worried I won't make it. Have been for a week.

Guess today is my test. :D

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Donna whether you do the whole 50 miles or not, you'll have "made it"!!

Yay for you!!!

[margo49]

What she said above
from me too

[Bikingmomof3]

DDH,
Have a great ride. :)

[KSH]

Can't wait to hear how it went!

[DDH]

Well, we started the day out getting stuff together and getting on the road. Skipped breakfast, didn't have time. BIG mistake. I'm not a big breakfast person anyway, but really should have taken the time to eat yesterday morning. I thought the banana's, cookies, grapes and nut I had packed would be enough.
We got there, got registered, and I started looking for Texascyclist. Called her cell number and they weren't quite over in the start area yet. She called me when they got over there and we got to meet. What a sweet gal!!!
We started out on the ride, her, my stepmother and myself, and we talked and talked, and rode along having a good time. The first part of the ride was really flat, couple of real pretty spots for scenery picutures except, DH has the camera and tood off :rolleyes: Oh, well, I told him to go for it and see what he could do. I would have others to ride with so he didn't have to worry about me for a change. LOL
The first 20 miles or so were not to bad. We hit 1 hill that I had to get off and walk right before the 2nd rest stop. I was really starting to feel it by then and just couldn't make it up that hill. We sat for a bit at the next rest stop and filled the water bottles and gatorade bottles. They had run out and needed to get some more made up, so I was game for waiting. LOL
We rode on and came to the turn off for the 25 milers and DH was wating a litte ahead to see if we changed are minds. LOL
We didn't, we were going for it. So I'm feeling okay at this point, the wind had been picking up and we were bucking the head wind almost the whole way. I'm not sure how hard it was blowing but it could have been 5 mph and I would have thought 30. Mile 25 and I am wishing I had turned. We are hitting some pretty good hills and I am starting to have to get off and walk, I'm feeling like everyone's anchor. Mile 28, that's all she wrote, my body isn't going anymore, I can barely even walk up the hills at this point much les ride. The car comes by and ask me if I am okay, I'm like wishy washy about it for a second, I know I can't go on much longer even if I don't get in the car, but don't want to admit defeat either. I tell him to wait while I walk up to DH and stepmother who are waiting for me up a head, he drives on up and waits there. I get up there and let them know and he takes me back to the truck. My legs felt like they were dead weight. Texascyclist, was ahead of everyone when I went back and I called her later to see if DH and stepmother had caught up to her and if she knew that I had sagged out. They had caught her and I think they all stayed pretty much together for the most part the reat of the ride. My stepmother got up ahead my DH between mile 30 and 40 and she was doing good, and then DH got his second wind for the last 10 miles and pushed and got back before everyone.
Texascyclist stayed with my stepmother I think the last of the ride, (Thank you by the way) and then she came over to where we were parked afterward before we left. We got some pictures and Texascyclist and I made plans to hopefully ride again together. I think 25 is going to be my limit for a litte while, until I get stronger. Just seemed like I have been doing 20's and should have been able to do better. Maybe it was the not eating good, maybe it was just a bad day for me, I don't know. I just know I was about to the point of not being able to move had I not come back.
I did have fun though, and it was great to meet one of the TE girls.
Texascyclist is a very sweet personalbe person and I really appreciate her staying with my stepmother througout the ride.

Here's a few pictures

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/ddhines_2006/pictures008.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/ddhines_2006/pictures013.jpg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/ddhines_2006/pictures014.jpg

[DDH]

after the ride, doesn't she still look great.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/ddhines_2006/pictures017.jpg

The three women riders.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/ddhines_2006/pictures019.jpg

The three that made it all the way.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/ddhines_2006/pictures018.jpg

[DDH]

Okay, last one. This is when we or I was still energized.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j105/ddhines_2006/pictures010.jpg

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Donna, you did GREAT!!!!

25 miles is nothing to sniff at. I could not do 25 miles 3 months ago, no way. Now I have done 40 a couple of times. You're just getting better and better!
I wish I could have been there riding with you! :)
Love the cute matching jerseys you got. Hey is that your DH?- cute! ;)

Right ON, girl. What an accomplishment to be proud of. Nothing will be stopping you now.

[DDH]

Yes Lisa, that is my DH. You know I had a great time on the ride the first 25 miles or so, and that last 3 just about did me in.
I can't figure it out. I rode 26 miles in the Cove ride back in August, when it was much hotter, major hills through the whole ride and yes the last bit of it was really, really hard. I had only been back to riding maybe 3 weeks at that time and did that ride, yet yesterday at about 25 I was wiped but pushed on 3 more miles just out of sheer stuborness. My endurance should be better by now I would think, not the same.
I am trying to give myself a break and not be to upset, but I really must admit, I am quite disapointed with myself.
I know 28 miles is a lot, but, well, you know how you are just harder on yourself than others would be. I just really thought I would have been able to handle 30 or so before I started giving out. I mean the first 20 or so miles of that ride was flat, the hills didn't start until I think a little after the 20 miles mark.

I do want to say, I forgot to add a big thanks and pat on the back to the folks that organize this ride. They did really, all in all, a great job with the support. The police were at every intersection on the route guiding us through and watching over everyone, the sag crew was great. (of course I particularly loved the sag crew!! LOL) They rode the route over and over checking on folks and watching over everyone. The rest stops were good. I wouldn't say great but they did a good job. They would run out of gatorade and have to get more mixed which kept riders waiting. I didn't mind but you know how impatient some folks can be. All in all, I thought it was great just the fact that these folks get out there and volunteer to do this on their Sat. afternoon, and they don't have to. They certainly don't need any grief from anyone because they aren't quick enough keeping the garotade mixed. I think they needed to have an extra jug to be able to get started while one was getting emptied, but hey, if they don't have it then they did the best they could.
All in all, it was a big thumbs up, for everyone involved in the organization and running of this ride. :D

[cosc]

DDH, sounds like your waco ride was a great day. Good company, a new biker friend, nice scenery and 28 miles of great biking. I always consider walking just another one of my gears to get my bike up a hill. Next time before an event find time to eat breakfast. Your body knows when it is low on gas! Thanks for sharing the pics!

[esther231]

Well, I'm impressed even if you aren't impressed with yourself.

28 miles!!!

The one I know for myself is food is really important to me if I'm going for a ride. I feel the difference immediately if I don't eat before I ride. I would have gone about 10 miles and stopped right there if I hadn't eaten. :) So, I think you did great. You didn't get as far as you wanted but you did great.

Congrats. :)

[texascyclist]

Donna (DDH) what a TERRRIFIC ride!! It was wonderful meeting you and your stepmom and your DH at the Skittles Wild West Waco Ride. And the pictures turned out great! Thank Les (DH) for me, for stopping and taking pictures of us riding along the way. What a great guy he is!! ;)

It was a tough day out there, especially once the temp rose into the 90's, and fighting those strong winds at the same time. It wasn't easy and Donna you did great!! You really did! I really enjoyed your company along the way and being able to meet and ride with a fellow TE sister, well that just topped it off. I can't wait until we can meet up again, hopefully soon. :D

I have to also send out a HUGE thank you to the volunteers! They were great out there on Saturday. Especially the REI team sag wagon who helped me out at about the 30 mile mark change my flat and get me back on the road. The one awesome thing about this ride, it was sponsored by Skittles and the Skittles plant was the second to last rest stop along the way. Besides all the usual fruit, cookies and drinks everyone was welcome to grab and take as much candy as they wanted. I heard riders were stocking up for Halloween...LOL! ;) OOhhh and I can't forget the Snickers ice cream bars they had for us. Yummy!! The Skittles plant is where I met up with Donna's stepmom and DH again. When they arrived they told me you had finally been picked up. I hated to leave you, but standing at the top of that first hill I could see nothing but more hills lied await ahead of us and I knew for me it's easier to keep my rythem going and conquer them all at once. The word used to describe this race by so many riders was "BRUTAL".....and it was! It wasn't but maybe 3 miles past the Skittles plant, with about 17 miles to go, I had my flat. Stepmom and DH were ahead of me and never realized I had to stop. After I got back on the road, I got my rythem going again and decided to by-pass the last rest stop and just finish the race. Just as I passed the final rest stop I heard my named yelled out and turned to see stepmom and DH getting ready to leave from there. I stopped until they got up to where I was and then the three of us continued on. But as Donna said, her DH got his second wind and was long gone, finishing the race ahead of us. Once we crossed the finish line I headed to my truck, put my bike up and found a port-a-potty. That was when Donna called to see where I was....Perfect timing, LOL!! I then found Donna, stepmom and DH at their truck, we took some pictures and reminisced about the race for a little bit. After they left I went back to the finish line and waited for my DH and a friend of ours who had both chosen to do the 100 mile race. My DH called me when he had reached the Skittles plant and I knew from there they still had 22 miles to go. So I went back to my truck, grabbed my bag and headed for the showers only to find out they had closed them already. WHY??? I still don't understand that one, since most of the 100 milers hadn't even made it in yet. I then went back to my truck and washed down as best I could with baby wipes, ducked down in the back seat and changed clothes. After that fun exprerience I went back to the finish line. I met a girl from Shreveport, LA who had also rode the 50 and was waiting on her DH which was doing the 100miler also. We had a great time talking while we waited. It was another hour or so before for my DH and friend crossed the finish line. We then stayed with Sherry from Shreveport until her DH crossed about 20 minutes later. I think it was about 6 pm when we finally got everything loaded up and headed back to Dallas.

All in all it was a great day! And I have to again say a BIG THANK YOU to Donna (DDH) for making me a part of her wondeful family for the day. I can't express enough how much I loved her and her family. I look forward to many, many more rides in the future with you. Can you say Hotter -n- Hell next August?? ;)

Oh by the way, also A BIG THANK YOU to Donna (DDH), jobob, Lisa S.H., Veronica, Bad JuJu, midgetcycler, RoadRaven and Kano for all your advice and support with my knee problem and the cramping (spelled it right this time....LOL!). I took the advice on raising my seat for the knee problem and it worked like a charm! I made it through the race with no pain. What a great feeling that was!!! And this time I made sure to eat and drink more frequently, even when I felt like I couldn't eat a thing I forced myself because I knew I would need it, especially with the temp. being well into the
90's. TE has the best support and I love you all!!!!

[li10up]

DDH Congratulations on your ride! 28 miles is nothing to be ashamed of...especially with the wind we had. I rode the 65 mile route with another member of our bike club. I had to draft off of her most of the time! I did do a couple of pulls but she really helped me out. At the split where you decide to do the 50 or the 65 mile route I thought about just doing the 50...but my riding partner didn't suggest it so I went along (and I'm glad I did). We had bypassed the first rest stop and when we hit the second one they were out of water but had plenty of ice. We talked to the folks there and this was their first time. They weren't prepared for so many riders to get there at once. They did the best they could though and I'm just thankful they were there. I too loved the Skittles stop. Too bad I wasn't hungry. But I did manage to eat one of the Snickers ice cream bars...yummy! and cold! The next to last stop was good too. They had homemade cookies that had just come out of the oven and were still warm. They also had washclothes sitting in a bowl of ice water. It felt so good to put that around my neck and face! Good idea! This was a really fun ride. Thanks to all the volunteers! On the whole route I only came across one impatient driver. All the others seemed to get a kick out of seeing all the bike riders. So thanks to all the drivers who were patient with us!!

[Bikingmomof3]

DDH,
Congratulations on your ride!!! You did fantastic. Thank you for sharing the photos. Everyone looks as though they had a great time. :)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey Donna-
Read Oct 2 Rides thread for an example of me getting pooped out on a ride...and it was only 18 miles! :cool:

[DDH]

Lisa, I need to keep that positive attitude you have. Rub some of that this way. Not that I am totally negative, I am usually a positive person, just get really frustrated with myself over things. Guess I get to hard on myself. I am over it. I know 28 was a long way, and I know I just need to put some more time in on the new bike and eat better next time.

Li10up, I wish I had known you were there. We could have all met and gotten to say hi, even if we were riding different routes. DH and stepmom told me about the homemade cookies. I might have fought harder to make it had I known that. LOL

[li10up]

Lisa, I need to keep that positive attitude you have. Rub some of that this way. Not that I am totally negative, I am usually a positive person, just get really frustrated with myself over things. Guess I get to hard on myself. I am over it. I know 28 was a long way, and I know I just need to put some more time in on the new bike and eat better next time.

Li10up, I wish I had known you were there. We could have all met and gotten to say hi, even if we were riding different routes. DH and stepmom told me about the homemade cookies. I might have fought harder to make it had I known that. LOL
Yeah, I hadn't even thought about posting here to see if any of the TE girls were going to the Waco Wild West. It would have been nice to meet. BTW, the cookies were awesome! The stop at the candy factory was the best!!! ummm, Snickers ice cream bars. Glad you had a good ride.

[DDH]

Oh, your not right!!!! :eek:

Just kidding, LOL. I'm glad you had a good ride too. I am looking at the TX rides to see which one I want to do in Oct and then in Nov. You know in TX we can pretty much ride year round most of the time. Course it about kills you in the summer, but hey, we can still do it. LOL

[texascyclist]

Donna's right, Li10up.....it would have been great to meet a third member from TE at the Waco ride. And I'm with you about the snickers ice cream bars.....those were the best!! Heard about the cookies (after the race) that they had at the last rest stop, but I by-passed that stop because I felt like I had lost too much time with the flat. Wish I hadn't. :(

Donna, found any good rides in November? There is one in San Felipe (near Houston) called the NovemberFest Metric Century. It may be too far of a drive, but it sounds like a really good one! It has routes consisting of 10, 27, 44 and 62. Here is the link for it. http://www.novemberfestmetriccentury.org/

Li10up....if you know of any good races coming up let DDH and I know. Maybe we can all meet up. :D

[DDH]

I don't know yet Amy, I have looked but not with DH yet. He is the one that does the driving so I need to look at them when he is home so we can figure out which one we want. I will be sure to let you know though.
I looked at that one you posted. I will have him look at it. Kinda expensive unless you pre-register though. I almost hate to do that because if something comes up, you can't get your money back.

[li10up]

Donna's right, Li10up.....it would have been great to meet a third member from TE at the Waco ride. And I'm with you about the snickers ice cream bars.....those were the best!! Heard about the cookies (after the race) that they had at the last rest stop, but I by-passed that stop because I felt like I had lost too much time with the flat. Wish I hadn't. :(

Donna, found any good rides in November? There is one in San Felipe (near Houston) called the NovemberFest Metric Century. It may be too far of a drive, but it sounds like a really good one! It has routes consisting of 10, 27, 44 and 62. Here is the link for it. http://www.novemberfestmetriccentury.org/

Li10up....if you know of any good races coming up let DDH and I know. Maybe we can all meet up. :D
I've been looking. Having pager duty really messes up my weekend plans a lot of times. I'll keep my eye out for a ride that's nearby and on a weekend I'm not on call. It would be great to meet.

[eclectic]

Just getting up to snuff on the posts

Congrats on a great day AND loved the pics - it is soooo fun to meet other te gals that share the same passion

Wind is wind is wind. Unless you have had the great fortune (or misfortune) to train against it it can really take it out of a person.

Wind + hills = tough ( and a few other choice words which we can't print here)

So congrats again for heading out and DOING IT ! ! !