Hotter 'n' Hell

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

OMG is right! Woo-wee, girlie! Yikes.

I have no idea what you could have done - but you could start healing (?) by keeping that ankle raised..put some ice on / around it, and taking ibuprofen. Try to walk as little as possible on it. You don't need to ride any more this week anyway since you should be tapering before the ride.

Do you have any compression bandages? (ace?)...

Remember RICE - rest ice compression elevation

Keeping my fingers crossed for ya!! Its possible you could heal up and be fine! Maybe even super-fine!

[Kvixen23]

I've been at home since one o'clock rice'ing!!! It's making me crazy....I hate sitting still. I haven't been on the bike and have no plans to return until the swelling has gone and I have mobility back......

I'm sooooo saaaad right now

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

Try NOT to be sad, girl. Emotions and where-your-head's-at can affect your health! Think positive thoughts...and if need-be... THREATEN that blasted ankle of yours!

"YOU BETTER heal, Ms THANG!"

[Tiffany]

Tiff - I'd start heading down there before sun-up! Seriously! If you don't get as close to the front as you can, you'll be waiting a LONG time to cross the start line. That can mean the difference between getting through Hell's Gate or not.

Can't wait to hear everyone's ride report!!!

Great advice - Thanks a ton. We do want to make Hell's Gate so we'll be sure to head up early. When you say before sun up, do you mean like 5:30 or 6:00? Just want to be certain - I don't want to get there late and then be worried for the first 65 miles that we aren't going to make Hell's Gate.

[KSH]

Tiff - I'd start heading down there before sun-up! Seriously! If you don't get as close to the front as you can, you'll be waiting a LONG time to cross the start line. That can mean the difference between getting through Hell's Gate or not.

Can't wait to hear everyone's ride report!!!

Great advice! I didn't know this and it took us ONE HOUR to get off the start line. The closed Hell's Gate an hour early, and we didn't make it in time.

[li10up]

The ride starts at sunrise so you kind of HAVE to be there before then. I think they solved the problem of the start. Last year it only took 10 minutes for us to start moving. The reason it's so slow (IMO) is because too many inexperienced riders go to the front hoping to get a "head start" and end up slowing down the more experienced riders. I wish everyone would start in the group that matches their abilities. That being said, even though it only took 10 minutes for us to start moving we still had to "skateboard" our bikes for several minutes before we could actually clip in and start pedaling.

Something else to watch out for. This goes back to inexperienced riders being in the wrong group...seems like every little incline we went up the pace almost came to a halt. There were several times I thought I was going to have to unclip for just a small rise....so be prepared for that.

The first 20 miles or so is really nerve wracking. You are shoulder to shoulder the whole way. It gets better after the 100 mile/100k split.

Good luck to everyone riding this year. Be safe! I can't wait 'till Saturday!!!

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

I'd get down there no later than 5:30. At least be in the area and ready to move into line. Take breakfast in hand if you must...but get down there.

O-Dark Thirty is a good way to remember it. :P

I'm getting excited for you guys! Hope its a good and FUN ride this year!

[denda]

We always get in line about 6:30am and have never had any problems getting started. My husband and I will be wearing TEXAS TECH jerseys. Have fun.

[PscyclePath]

The century ride starts at about ten minutes after 7:00 a.m. according to the flyer... so I plan to line up with the "Keepers" around 6:30ish or so, depending on when I can roust the rest of the ABC team out of the rack and out to the line...

May be the Wetter 'n Whatever more than the Hotter 'n Hell this year if the weather hold out...

Tom