Survived RAMROD!!!

[Dog]

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 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

[boy in a kilt]

You are my hero. That ride is no joke.

[KnottedYet]

Congrats on RAMROD!

Are you in PT already?

[Dog]

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

[KnottedYet]

I have "connections"....

[Susan126]

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

[ttaylor508]

Dog, CONGRATULATIONS on finishing RAMROD!!!!

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

[salsabike]

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...

Attachment 6758

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[mimitabby]

oooooh beautiful photos!

[Dog]

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

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"

[Smilie]

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

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

[orcoz]

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!!!!