the 100k that wasn't

[badgercat]

this is a long one...

Well, today was the Tour de Cure for the American Diabetes Association in Sahuarita (Tucson) AZ. It was my and my boyfriend's first event in support of that organization (in honor the many people in my family affected by both type I and type II diabetes). Rain and wind had been predicted for the whole day, but when we arrived at the start at 6:30am it was clear and the sun was shining.

I'm a slowpoke relative to almost everyone else in these events (my comfortable, sustainable cruising speed on flats is ~15mph), so I was expecting to hang out towards the back the whole time. However, fairly constant winds in the 10-15mph range with gusts probably over 20 put me in the last handful of riders out on the course. The turnaround point of the route (it was essentially an out-and-back) was up at the Whipple Observatory--we figured "the big climb" up to it was about 1200 ft over about 7 miles.

With stops and that climb, it took us over 4 hours to cover the 32-ish miles to get to the turnaround point. By the time we got there, the wind was crazy and it was starting to rain. The SAG driver at the top indicated that it was in our best interests to quit and take a ride to the finish. There was a guy with a mtb who was already loaded up. My boyfriend thought we should take the ride because even in good weather it would to take us at least a couple more hours to finish if we continued on 2 wheels and the rain was definitely rolling in, and neither of us had good rain gear. Of course, he was graceful enough to not mention that had he been riding by himself, he probably would have already been back home enjoying a beer.

I was so upset about the whole thing I went into the bathroom and cried. There were fit-looking people on nice bikes with nice gear who we saw coming back down at the rest stop who said they didn't even finish the climb--I, in my sneakers on a hybrid, stuck it out, and I was going to have the indignity of a car ride back. My mom doesn't get to decide that she's tired of dealing with insulin shots, so why do I get to quit on a one-day bike ride? But, having heard that the few people who were left behind us on the course had given up on the climb and turned back, we (I) certainly would have been the last people to finish, meaning all the SAGs and all the rest stops would have just been waiting around for my pokey behind. So I swallowed my pride and got in the truck.

As it turns out, on the way down word came over the ham radio that they were closing the course and the few other people who were left were being held at rest stops for SAGs back, so I didn't feel as bad. But I still can't help thinking that maybe if I had just trained a little harder I could have ridden faster or not had to stop during the climb or blah blah blah and I would have gotten to finish.

Of course, it wasn't all bad. The volunteers were lovely, the rest stops were well-appointed, and the weather was quite nice for the first couple hours. Still, this was supposed to be my longest one-day ride ever, and I only finished half of the route. How come the fact that I still did that whole climb and raised $150 for diabetes research isn't really making me feel better?

To top off all the disappointment, as of ride-day, the event as a whole fell far short of the overall fundraising goals. So, if any of you are compelled by my sob story to pitch in a couple dollars after the fact, that would be amazing... click here to donate

On to the next, though, right? On the bright side, the Arizona MS150 is in 3 weeks, and that one is very, VERY, FLAT!

[channlluv]

Wow, it sounds like a really, really rotten day. I'm sorry it didn't end better for you, but kudos for making the tough part.

It sounds like you've got a really good opportunity to make a goal here for next year.

Good luck on the MS150.

Roxy

[azfiddle]

Hey badger cat
Good for trying. I thought of signing up for that ride, but didn't. Be proud of what you accomplished. I was watching the area weather forecasts and didn't even think of trying to ride around Tucson today.

[TrekTheKaty]

You couldn't keep up on a charity ride with a normal average of 15 mph? Well, count me out then. That doesn't sound right. 10-15 mph winds are also enough to REALLY slow you down (I often wonder, if I'm doing 15 and there is a 16 mph wind, would I go backwards? I would in a plane.) I know a lot of the "serious" cyclists in St. Louis do the Tour de Cure in St. Louis, but I would be surprised to find myself at the back of the pack--that usually only happens on smaller rides.

Don't beat yourself up about it.

[Thorn]

Do not feel bad, Badgercat. The Sunday before your ride we were in Arizona for a PAC Tour training week. It stormed Saturday night, but by the Sunday morning start of the ride from Tucson to Sierra Vista it looked like it had settled to drizzle.

I'd been focusing on that ride for more than 6 months. It was a super stretch goal. I had to do it. I got on my bike in the drizzle and started riding. The drizzle turned to rain. The rain to sleet which stung the face. And then we turned into the wind. At the first rest stop DH hooked up a sag ride, but I was going to keep going. No, I wasn't going to quit. This ride was the motivator for all those months of trainer riding. I had to finish.

A few of us were going to keep going, although I was the slowest of the bunch. Many of the riders (including the coaches had already called it a day). While sipping my second hot cocoa I was starting to question my sanity when Lon Haldeman pulled in (obviously he started much, much later than this tortoise). He was going to bail. This guy rides through anything, doesn't he? Eh?

The lesson learned: Pick your battles. Sometimes we ride through; sometimes, the better part of valor is to call it a day so that you can battle stronger tomorrow. Yes, it is disappointing. I feel your pain--really, I do. I wanted to finish my ride, too. But, sometimes it is better to be safe and stop than to push on, get sick, get injured or just burn out. The ride needs you back next year.

Disappointing, but a good decision. You climbed the hill. You got to the top. Celebrate the accomplishment.

[azfiddle]

Hey Susan, I sent in a little contribution for you.

[ny biker]

If the weather was bad enough for them to close the course, then the problem was the weather, not you. Sometimes you just can't get around the ride conditions.

And the whole experience made you stronger, you just don't know it yet.

[badgercat]

Thanks for all the kind words ladies. I was just really bummed out last night, but today I feel much better about the whole thing and I AM really proud of making it up that hill.

Double thanks to TrekTheKaty and azfiddle for your generosity! It feels great that we're still raising money for the ADA even after the event.

[annielynn]

Good for you trying! That hill sounds like a killer!!! Our TdC ride was horribly windy too. We were dying on the way back from our 61 mile ride. I am proud of you. There will always be another century.

[runningteach]

You made it up the hill and dealt with wind, which is hard to pedal through. Be proud.