War and Peace. Or: my 600k ride report

[allabouteva]

Sarah,

Congratulations again. It's just so inspiring hearing about your 600k ride. It constantly amazes me that people (like Nanci, Veronica and you) do this, you know! So tell me how long have you been riding to get to this level? It'll take me a zillion years! My aim is a metric Century this year.

Well done.

e

[Nanci]

It doesn't take forever. I've only had a road bike eight months! Yes, I mountain biked before, but the three years prior to getting a road bike were less and less MTB and more and more running.

Nanci

[maillotpois]

Interesting that it was your arms that came out most sore. Glad to hear you've been able to get in 7-8 hr sleep. IMHO that's one of the most powerful healers.

My bike is a fairly aggressive race-set up. Low bars, etc. So it's great for 100 - 200 miles, but after that I spent a lot of time with my hands on the tops. It's just not a great posture for such long distances, and that's why my arms suffered. I also spent a lot of time thinking about how I could take my other bike in and get it set up better for rando riding. Now that's sick!!

[maillotpois]

Sarah,

Congratulations again. It's just so inspiring hearing about your 600k ride. It constantly amazes me that people (like Nanci, Veronica and you) do this, you know! So tell me how long have you been riding to get to this level? It'll take me a zillion years! My aim is a metric Century this year.

Well done.

e

Eva - I responded over on your other thread....

I've been riding for about 5 years. Like Nanci, I started on a MTB, but super casually. In 2001, I got a road bike and did 3 centuries that year, including a road race of 115 miles in under 6 hours. It was like something clicked and I found out what I was good at after years of not being athletic at all.

[SadieKate]

I also spent a lot of time thinking about how I could take my other bike in and get it set up better for rando riding. Now that's sick!!

No, it's not. You should see the vastly different positions I have for my road bikes.

[maillotpois]

No, it's not. You should see the vastly different positions I have for my road bikes.

But the point is after 280 miles I was already thinking about next time...

[SadieKate]

Remember that thing you said in the other post about stupid? I didn't say it.

[Susan Otcenas]

MP - With my own 600K looming in one week, I wanted to publicly thank you again for writing such a detailed report! It's a huge help. I'm especially taking to heart the part about being surprised how long the last 110 miles took you after your break. I have a hotel room at 360K. I've been allotting myself the last 15 hours to do the last 240 K(148 miles). That means averaging 10 miles per hour, which I keep thinking should be a piece of cake, especially since, like you, I'm really familiar with the last 75 miles or so - home turf. But now your story has me wondering if I should give myself a few more hours....

[sundial]

After talking to some of the people on the ride, it became clear that I happened to choose the most difficult 600k in Northern California to test myself out.

Sarah, you simply amaze me.

[kenyonchris]

OMG!!! YOU ROCK! After riding and training in Texas, I was reduced to a panting, barely moving baby on the hills in California when we were there at the beginning of the month...600k of them is AMAZING! GO GIRL!

[Catrin]

You ROCK, thank you for sharing your amazing tale! I've been interested in brevets since first learning about them, but this year my goal is a metric century.

I look forward to hearing tales from everyone else tackling amazing rides this year as well.

[andtckrtoo]

Sarah - you are simply amazing. Incredible tale! Thank you for sharing! I enjoyed every word, seriously! I have done some endurance events - nothing like your 600k at all, but some, and two lines really stood out for me:

- Things that hurt now may not hurt later. Keep riding.

- It is ALMOST all mental. Your body can keep going (granted not at its highest level) for a very long time. It's your mind that it going to talk you out of or into it.

I TOTALLY agree!! I think the only caveat I would add is that we can do so much more than we think we can - and that goes for anyone - not just us cyclists. I learned this the hard way when I first start cycling. I'd do out and back trips. One day I ended up going out a lot further than I thought I would and had to get back. Well, the only way to get back was to ride it. I did. And learned an invaluable lesson.

[Susan Otcenas]

- It is ALMOST all mental. Your body can keep going (granted not at its highest level) for a very long time. It's your mind that it going to talk you out of or into it.

I TOTALLY agree!! I think the only caveat I would add is that we can do so much more than we think we can.

This reminds me - has anyone heard the radiolabs podcast about limits? They talk about the limits of the human body & mind. Most of the broadcast is spent on RAAM and Ironman Kona. It's a fantastic listen!

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/episodes/2010/04/16

[maillotpois]

Susan - glad you were able to find the report. I would suggest as much cushion as possible for the last 100 miles. it really was amazing to me how hard it was given how easy a 100 mile route it would have been in isolation.

this report brings back some memories. I think I was really thinking I would do more long brevets, but I have not done another 600k since I wrote it, though I have done a 400 k and a double century that was almost harder than the 600k (DMD). one day I will do another 600 and perhaps a 1200.

good luck Susan!! i will look forward to reading your report.

[Tri Girl]

and perhaps a 1200.

THERE'S A 1200K????? Holy cow!!
I think a 600 is super amazing. I can't imagine a 1200.

Is that the longest one?

WOW! I mean WOW!!!!