Survived RAMROD!!!

Well, I ended up getting into RAMROD at the last minute. I was 119 on the wait list and figured I didn't have a prayer. I guess a lot of folks dropped out late, because I recieved an e-mail about a week before the ride informing me that I was now officially able to participate in the ride:eek: I guess that was good news? Anyway, I spent the week getting my bike ready, watching the weather forecast and mentally preparing myself for the ride. I got up at 2:30 am and headed for Enumclaw. I arrived around 5am and was began the ride about 5:30. It was very cold at the start - around 43 degrees and didn't warm up for a couple of hours. But, the sun was out and we had beautiful weather. I had some trouble with my right knee early in the ride - not good with all the climbing ahead (I took an Aleve and that helped to dull the pain). I started the climb up to Sunrise taking care not to put too much stress on my knee (translation - low gear). Made that climb and descent and decided to push on. Got over Backbone Ridge and started up Cayous with a lot of pain in my knee, but was able to get to the top and very much enjoyed the descent. I was posting a slow time and worried about finishing before the cutoff, so I popped another Aleve and pushed for the finish (mostly downhill) and finished at 7:30. I'm proud to have finished and it is a very pretty ride and well supported. I would probably consider doing it again.
I had an MRI on Thursday and waiting to see what's up with my knee.
Anybody else do RAMROD???

-Dog

You are my hero. That ride is no joke.

Congrats on RAMROD!

Are you in PT already?

Hi Knotted,

I should get the results of the MRI this week and hopefully know more. The pain in my knee is intermittent and I'm taking it pretty easy this week. Are you a PT?

- Dog

I have "connections".... ;)

Congratulations Dog! Isn't that an awesome ride?! I loved it when I rode the RAMROD in 2004 and 2006!

Sorry about your knee and the pain! I can't believe you climbed Cayuse with knee pain! I always felt that Cayuse was the hardest part of the entire ride. For me anyway!

I hope you find out what is causing your pain and get it fixed! I'm thinking of you! But again, Congratulations . . . that is quite the accomplishment!

I'm going to try again for next year. Maybe we'll get in together. But first get that knee taken care of!

Tailwinds!

Sue

Dog, CONGRATULATIONS on finishing RAMROD!!!!

Did you get any pictures? My husband says it is an absolutely gorgeous ride.

Think I could only do RAMROD if you hitched my bike to the back of a pick up truck, but my spouse DID do his first RAMROD this year and had a great ride. He took lots of pics. Not a bad setting to repair a flat...

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oooooh beautiful photos!

Great pictures Salsa (too bad about the flat). I brought my camera because I heard about the great scenary. Got to the top of the Paradise climb, handed my camera to another rider to take a picture of me and my bike with the mountain in the background - RATS....the battery was dead. I checked everything once, twice and three times on the bike - BUT didn't think to charge the batteries in my camera. So....no pictures for me. So, I'm buying one from the ride photographer:D

Susan, at first I said I wouldn't do the ride again. But it has been less then two weeks and I'm already thinking about "next time" ;)

Great job on the ride. Good luck with the knee. Knee issues suck.

Beautiful pictures! Looks like that mountain is wearing a halo. :D

Congrats on the ride!!
I did the last downhill, down Mud Mtn Dam. (LOL)
Funny, hubby and I use that hill as part of our regular training rides, and as I was headed up - I kept seeing all sort of riders coming DOWN....took be a bit to realize it was RAMROD day. (bonk!)
Love the pictures! What a great day for a ride! Way to go!!!!