Greg LeMond at this year's RAMROD

[Susan126]

This year I rode the RAMROD. And wouldn't you know the first time I ride it, Greg Lemond was also participating. I heard about him at every rest stop on the course. I never saw him (I guess I was just too slow LOL) but here is a link to my web page where you can find a link to photos of him! My husband told me after I completed the ride that he saw him that morning in the dark before the ride started. He thought he looked familar but wasn't sure who he was.

http://home.comcast.net/~krezes/ramrod_pictures.htm

[Trek420]

Susan, that looks like a beautiful ride!

[aka_kim]

He looks like any other pudgy, middle-aged cyclist! Now we know how past Tour winners look in lycra past 40 . Oh, okay, he can probably still smoke just about anyone.

How was your ride Susan? And congratulations on doing it!

Kim

[Susan126]

My ride was pretty . . . hmmmmmm fun, long, hard, thrilling and a huge personal accomplishment for me. First, I could not even believe I was one of the lucky ones picked to ride the RAMROD this year. Riders are chosen randomly by a lottery. And only 440 people were selected this year and thousands applied. So when I received my "Congratulations you made it" email I was shocked! I think unconsciously I was hoping I would not get picked. And foolish stupid me, I did not train properly for this ride. I finished by shear will power (I was hurting at the end) and I was among the last of the last. The last climb, the one going up Cayuse Pass, a snail could have passed me! If I ever do it again I now know that I need to train seriously. And if I ever decide to ride it again I want to do it with a partner or better yet a group. I think with a friend you can encourage one another. But yes, I really did enjoy it. My husband still does not believe me when I utter those words. He thinks I'm derranged and into abusing myself! The scenery was fantastic, the downhill parts phenominal, the day perfect weather wise, the support A+ and the volunteers and other riders great. Everyone that passed me (probably 435 lol) gave me encouragement. The only thing I did not like was NO real food! Lots of fruit and power bars and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. But man oh man, pedaling up and down three mountains for 12 hours they just weren't doing if for me! I wanted a hamburger sooooooo bad! Or a pizza, or a delicious sub sandwich!!!!! On the drive home I made my hubby stop at Wally's Drive In (local hamburger joint) and ordered a hamburger with cheese, onions, ketcup, pickles, lettuce and tomatoes on it, large onion rings, large vanilla shake and a coke, too! Man did it taste wonderful! It truly was a day I will always remember! And believe it or not I'm thinking about doing it again next year! But I hope to find a few friends as crazy as me who would like to ride it, too!

[maryellen]

Susan, could you really eat a burger during a ride like that? I suspect it wouldn't stay with me for long! PB sandwiches rule!

Maryellen, peeking in from vacation in Provincetown on Cape Cod, where the cycling is gorgeous . . .

[Susan126]

Mary Ellen, you're probably right about that! But at the time I was so hungry all I kept thinking about were hamburgers! I did eat my share of bagels and peanut butter and jelly. In fact they are my usual food of choice whenever I do ride. But for some unkonwn reason, on that day, on that ride all I kept thinking about at each rest stop was . . . "Man I wish they had some hamburgers grilling!" LOL But yea you're probably right, a hamburger wouldn't have sat very well with me.
Sue

[bikergirl62]

Didn't recognize Greg Lamond! That is a shame. I wouldn't either I bet even though I followed his career when he was in the tour. I wished for comentary from him during Lance's last run. Greg brought cycling to the forefront (in the US) in those days. I know what he is doing now...working with trek, I ride one of his name sake bikes and I love it. I love telling anyone who'll listen that I remember when he raced.