Thanks Maillotpois (AKA Countdown to the Death Ride)
After thinking about doing the Death Ride for the past year, and training for the past 6 months, I can hardly believe that the event is almost here. By this time Saturday, I hope to have completed all 5 passes, 129 miles, 15,000 elevation gain of the Death Ride. But who's counting? :p
I must give credit where it's due: our very own maillotpois is the head coach for the SF Bay Area Team In Training Death Ride group. They have done a phenomenal job preparing dachshund and I (and the rest of our teammates) for Saturday's quest. Our rides got pretty serious in February -- they've been some of the toughest rides I've done in my sporadic cycling career. Double-digit grades that go on for miles and miles. :eek: I've also been able to see some of the BEST vistas of my hometown -- the SF Bay Area. You never really know a place until you see it by bike, and you've never really seen the Bay Area until you see it from the top of Mt. Tamalpais.
We've ridden in the pouring rain and the blazing heat, at altitude and at sea level, by ourselves and in pacelines, lumbering up the hills and flying downhill. Thru it all, our coaches and the support staff have been there to encourage us, give us advice, inspire us, tell us to keep going, feed us, hand us ice filled tube socks, or just laugh at our jokes. It's been incredible, and at 45 years of age, I just may be in the best shape of my life. Not only that, but I have that rare feeling you get from doing something you really weren't sure you could do. I haven't finished the Death Ride yet, but I already feel like I've accomplished quite a bit by completing the training.
Many, many, many thanks go to maillotpois, her coaches and mentors, the Team In Training honorees, jobob & leebob and the amazing SAG staff, and all the good folks who donated to Team In Training on my behalf.
Only 4 more days until the big event; I'm doing some really easy rides these days, eating well, hydrating lots, and thinking about my packing list.
Thanks again, maillotpois. It's been a true privilege riding with you and your group this year.
