400k report: not as long as the ride

[Veronica]

This ride was definitely full of ups and downs for me. Thom left me around 2 PM in Geyersville and I took pictures of riders as they came to the rest stop to pass the time.

MP and I took off around 4 and flew the thirty miles south to Calistoga. We saw this beautiful purple field of lupine. I had recently retensioned the saddle on my Rambouillet and its position wasn't quite right. I eventually figured out that the problem was coming from me sliding forward and as long as I made sure my butt stayed back all was well. I was happy when Single Speed Guy in Calistoga said he was lightening his load and getting rid of Chamois Butter. I don't usually use it, but I figured it couldn't hurt. I think SSG is the RUSA president. (?)

That pace line from Calistoga to Sage Canyon HURT. I wasn't quite redlining, but we were moving about 2 MPH faster than Thom and I had on Tuesday. I was very happy to suck every one's wheel, but did take a short pull towards the end. I'm not used to riding in a pace line, except with people I know pretty well. I wasn't sure when to eat - so didn't for an hour. I managed to grab a drink or two. MP's advice, eat when you're at the back. Good to know.

We backed off on the climb up Sage Canyon. We were treated to a gorgeous sunset over Lake Hennesey and then it began to rain. We did have a rainbow near the top of the climb.

Jackets on, lights on. I wasn't sure where we were and I was cold. We eventually got to a turn that I recognized from the Davis Double and I thought I'd start remembering the route, but everything looked so different in the dark. I was happy every time we passed a landmark I could make out. There is a fairly shallow descent just before the climb up Cardiac and I was so cold on it. I was looking forward to the climb starting so I could warm up.

The climb was good, a bit freaky because of all the rocks and mud. I warmed up, the next descent was AWFUL. It was cold and there was fog. I love to descend, but I hate to be cold and it just seemed to go on forever. Climb a little more, descend to the Dam. A little soup and some hot cocoa were nice. I couldn't stop shivering and my quads ached. I don't know if it was from the cold or pushing harder than I normally do or both. I was beginning to think we were both insane. The volunteers had a small heater that I stood as near to as I possibly could until one of the workers said she smelled something burning. No I wasn't on fire... just a little warm.

I did the section from the Dam to the 7-11 in sort of a daze, especially once we turned onto Pleasants Valley - a road I'd never been on before. It was pretty deserted and I was a playing a game where I could look at the GPS whenever a car came by. I think there were only three or four cars. But it let me know we were making progress to our destination. About the only bright spot in this section was laughing at MP's attempts to get her butt back on the saddle with her so lovely dress getting in the way. She eventually modified the dress.

At the 7-11 I called Thom and had a Red Bull. I meant to ask for a blanket for the drive home, but forgot. MP and I took off, climbed a little more, had a little downhill and then hit the flats. That's when the Red Bull kicked in! Suddenly I had vim and vigour again, which was good because I could do my job of entertaining MP as she finished her wicked long ride. Never underestimate the power of a Red Bull.

I am convinced that Thom is physic. My favorite blanket was in the car when we arrived in Davis.

This ride was good in a lot of ways. MP is a blast to ride with. I pushed myself harder than I usually do on a long ride. In any long ride there are always ups and downs. Things hurt, you question your sanity. Happily, I finished on an up. All HAIL the GREAT RED BULL!

Here's MP in her lovely outfit. I didn't catch the guy's name, but I thought their matching outfits were so fetching.

V.