130 Miles of Rain and What Doesn't Hurt?

[Veronica]

I believe I would have quit. I have come to truly, truly hate riding in the cold wet rain. Surely, sometimes it is OK to simply say, you know, this isn't fun anymore, and quit on a rainy day?

There are good reasons to quit. I DNF'ed on Devil Mountain Double last year because my back hurt so much. I just couldn't come up with a good enough reason to quit yesterday. At lunch I was uncomfortable and tired. Good reasons to quit when you are riding by yourself and training. I've done that. But I knew how few SAG drivers we had. What if someone else got hurt? I'd be taking a space in a vehicle just because I was uncomfortable and tired? I'd already seen how much pain the one guy who crashed was in. I thought it would be selfish of me to SAG in with so much of the ride left. Plus I really wanted to do the downhill after the Loch Lomond climb. It has a section of 11% downhill. Wheeee!!!

When I had 55 miles left to go and my stomach was bothering me, I really wanted to get in the car. But Thom is really good at reading me and where my pain is. He knew I was unhappy, but not in serious distress and that I'd be really mad at myself today if I gave up. What was left of the ride at that point wasn't hard stuff, no more really hard climbs. And he knew I could do it.

I think it helps that I have a high pain threshold. Oh and I'm sure being stubborn plays into too. And the insanity.

V.

[kelownagirl]

Wow Veronica, like the others, I am SO impressed! I did a very hilly 100 mile ride in great weather this summer and was totally wiped by the end. I cannot fathom doing 200 hilly miles when I'm cold and wet. I hope you tell your kids all about it at school tomorrow. They will be very proud of you too!

[DirtDiva]

Yay V! Nice work, nutter.

I'll mountain bike in pretty much anything, but am a completely unashamed fair-weather road rider. (Not that I'd try and ride two hundred miles in one go on any kind of bike.)

[sgtiger]

You done good girl! And you totally rock the cycle trash look.

[indigoiis]

Heya! CONGRATULATIONS!

[Starfish]

But Thom is really good at reading me and where my pain is. He knew I was unhappy, but not in serious distress and that I'd be really mad at myself today if I gave up. I think it helps that I have a high pain threshold. Oh and I'm sure being stubborn plays into too. And the insanity. V.

You know, someone who knows you like that and can encourage you in the way that will bring you the most satisfaction is really worth their weight in gold. You are a tough lady.

As for pain threshold...I am the biggest baby!! My dentist knows I get an extra shot of novacain without asking...my surgeon learned I needed a whole different class of pain relief than her other patients with the same operation...I am truly a sensitive baby! I am now officially terrified to ever ride with you!! LOL

[jobob]

eh, she's not that bad.

[BikeDutchess]

Wow, V., impressive! Congrats!

[michelem]

Very impressive! I chickened out of the Tahoe-Sierra Century ride. I hear it rained the entire time, sometimes zero visibility, and it was so cold that people were shaking and going numb.They finally closed Hwy 40 at Donner Lake, due to snow. Not sure if anyone completed the entire Century.

You are one tough chickie!