mimitabby
06-11-2007, 07:25 AM
Redmond Cycling Club's MAZAMA (http://www.google.com/calendar/event?eid=YWRyYTBiZmRqczE4bG83bGs4ZGdjcWNydDQgUmVkbW9uZEN5Y2xpbmdDbHViQG0&ctz=America/Los_Angeles) weekend
When I first heard about this ride, I was certain i'd never want to ride it.
Brutal climbing up and screaming descents. WEATHER. We heard tales of people being piled into cars with such hypothermia they had trouble getting off their bikes. Other years, it was in the 90's, way too hot! Nope, not for me. But since dear Raleighdon was so insistent, I agreed to sag the ride so HE could ride it. THen came the weather forecast. crummy.
it looked like the ride was going to get cancelled. At the last minute the gal in charge suggested an alternate; so except for two tri-guys who opted to cross the mountain passes against the advice of the forest service, the weather service and the ride leader, that's what we did. The two tri-boys did the climb
un supported. When I drove to the top in my sag vehicle, I was surprised to find them up at the top.
They'd made it just fine.
Sagging is not an easy job. I quickly realized i had to worry about EVERYONE, not just my husband. A few hours in, I then figured out that the ones I really had to worry about were the ones in the back, the weaker, slower riders. The ones that take wrong turns and look like they're going to give up.
So I drove endlessly for two days. Didn't lose anyone; we didn't even have a flat tire.
The second day's ride was gorgeous, and as sag, you don't have much time to ride (i went out and rode 5 miles uphill before breakfast and then sped back down) and it's tough to sit in the car while everyone else is having a splendid ride in perfect weather. But if i didn't sag; maybe the ride wouldn't happen. everyone needs to help out sometimes, this weekend was my turn.
Here's a few of the photos:
THe ride was a study in contrasts since there was so much
climbing
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama1.jpg
Mountains like this surrounded us
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama2.jpg
Here I am at the top (in someone's Honda Element) with my new hero. She is over 65 and did 3500
miles last year and she just went up this mountain like it was a walk in the park!
(and check out her beautiful bike!)
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama3.jpg
Here's Raleighdon at the top of the highest pass.
It was about 44 degrees and raining
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama4.jpg
Some more roadside scenery:
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama5.jpg
and great vistas!
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama6.jpg
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama7.jpg
the last rider comes in.
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama8.jpg
When I first heard about this ride, I was certain i'd never want to ride it.
Brutal climbing up and screaming descents. WEATHER. We heard tales of people being piled into cars with such hypothermia they had trouble getting off their bikes. Other years, it was in the 90's, way too hot! Nope, not for me. But since dear Raleighdon was so insistent, I agreed to sag the ride so HE could ride it. THen came the weather forecast. crummy.
it looked like the ride was going to get cancelled. At the last minute the gal in charge suggested an alternate; so except for two tri-guys who opted to cross the mountain passes against the advice of the forest service, the weather service and the ride leader, that's what we did. The two tri-boys did the climb
un supported. When I drove to the top in my sag vehicle, I was surprised to find them up at the top.
They'd made it just fine.
Sagging is not an easy job. I quickly realized i had to worry about EVERYONE, not just my husband. A few hours in, I then figured out that the ones I really had to worry about were the ones in the back, the weaker, slower riders. The ones that take wrong turns and look like they're going to give up.
So I drove endlessly for two days. Didn't lose anyone; we didn't even have a flat tire.
The second day's ride was gorgeous, and as sag, you don't have much time to ride (i went out and rode 5 miles uphill before breakfast and then sped back down) and it's tough to sit in the car while everyone else is having a splendid ride in perfect weather. But if i didn't sag; maybe the ride wouldn't happen. everyone needs to help out sometimes, this weekend was my turn.
Here's a few of the photos:
THe ride was a study in contrasts since there was so much
climbing
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama1.jpg
Mountains like this surrounded us
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama2.jpg
Here I am at the top (in someone's Honda Element) with my new hero. She is over 65 and did 3500
miles last year and she just went up this mountain like it was a walk in the park!
(and check out her beautiful bike!)
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama3.jpg
Here's Raleighdon at the top of the highest pass.
It was about 44 degrees and raining
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama4.jpg
Some more roadside scenery:
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama5.jpg
and great vistas!
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama6.jpg
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama7.jpg
the last rider comes in.
http://www.sersale.org/bike/mazama8.jpg