maillotpois
07-20-2007, 03:52 PM
Back from a quickie trip to Oregon and thinking about Death Ride. So... who ended up doing it?? Cindy? Velogirl?? (I did see Luna Denise out there several times.)
We had a good ride - it was definitely warmer than it's been the last couple of years (though I swear not as hot as 2002, that was awful!!). This ride is SO pretty - just such a dramatic area - and it was great to see so many of our first timers finish all five passes and have a good day. It really pushed people to the limit at times. And it is definitely a challenge to coach folks in a ride that is such a challenge to complete.
I was definitely glad we started our "steady" group of 7 riders/staff early (at 4 am - we intended to start at 4:30, but got ready early). I swear by starting really tough rides early - it gives you a cushion of time for flats, or other mechanical, biological or theological crises. Our "fast" group started at 5 or 5:30 and had more or a struggle - not really because of time but because of the challenges they faced (biological!).
6 of 7 of our "steady" riders finished all 5 passes (the other had sudden biological issue and did 4). All (but me) were first timers. That's pretty darned cool and I am just so happy for them. They all finished before the "fast" group. (DH led the "fast" group of 6 riders. They did well, but a couple of them really struggled with cramping.)
I had a pretty comfortable ride, all things considered. The pace was pretty relaxed and I was really glad I (1) used the sustained energy and (2) brought a couple of Paydays because due to a miscommunication I ended up having to wait an hour at the top of Ebbetts and then blast down and pick up a rider from lunch, skipping lunch, and tow her the rest of the way. So no soup for me! :mad: Which was a bummer because I always like the soup. :cool: But the "miracle Payday" I had at the top of Ebbett's was great! :D
I also saw SO many people I know out on the course. That's one of the great things about Death Ride - you see people you know going down the passes as you're going up and vice versa. It's very social! The big blood spatter on the road there :eek: and the pretty Orbea bike off to the side were somewhat sobering and I am hoping the person is okay. (Anyone hear anything?)
Since I wasn't able to do the ride last year because of those stupid PEs, it really meant a lot to be able to ride it this year. It was a lot more emotional up at the top of Carson than I expected - partly relief at bringing in a rider who really struggled and partly just pent up emotion from not being able to ride last year and all that.
For our TNT chapter's (Redwood/Wine Country - basically Sonoma, Napa and Marin) first season with a Death Ride team, it was a success overall. I'm relieved it's over, but it's also sad to be done.
On to the next adventure!
Anyone else who did the ride, I'd love to hear how it went.
We had a good ride - it was definitely warmer than it's been the last couple of years (though I swear not as hot as 2002, that was awful!!). This ride is SO pretty - just such a dramatic area - and it was great to see so many of our first timers finish all five passes and have a good day. It really pushed people to the limit at times. And it is definitely a challenge to coach folks in a ride that is such a challenge to complete.
I was definitely glad we started our "steady" group of 7 riders/staff early (at 4 am - we intended to start at 4:30, but got ready early). I swear by starting really tough rides early - it gives you a cushion of time for flats, or other mechanical, biological or theological crises. Our "fast" group started at 5 or 5:30 and had more or a struggle - not really because of time but because of the challenges they faced (biological!).
6 of 7 of our "steady" riders finished all 5 passes (the other had sudden biological issue and did 4). All (but me) were first timers. That's pretty darned cool and I am just so happy for them. They all finished before the "fast" group. (DH led the "fast" group of 6 riders. They did well, but a couple of them really struggled with cramping.)
I had a pretty comfortable ride, all things considered. The pace was pretty relaxed and I was really glad I (1) used the sustained energy and (2) brought a couple of Paydays because due to a miscommunication I ended up having to wait an hour at the top of Ebbetts and then blast down and pick up a rider from lunch, skipping lunch, and tow her the rest of the way. So no soup for me! :mad: Which was a bummer because I always like the soup. :cool: But the "miracle Payday" I had at the top of Ebbett's was great! :D
I also saw SO many people I know out on the course. That's one of the great things about Death Ride - you see people you know going down the passes as you're going up and vice versa. It's very social! The big blood spatter on the road there :eek: and the pretty Orbea bike off to the side were somewhat sobering and I am hoping the person is okay. (Anyone hear anything?)
Since I wasn't able to do the ride last year because of those stupid PEs, it really meant a lot to be able to ride it this year. It was a lot more emotional up at the top of Carson than I expected - partly relief at bringing in a rider who really struggled and partly just pent up emotion from not being able to ride last year and all that.
For our TNT chapter's (Redwood/Wine Country - basically Sonoma, Napa and Marin) first season with a Death Ride team, it was a success overall. I'm relieved it's over, but it's also sad to be done.
On to the next adventure!
Anyone else who did the ride, I'd love to hear how it went.