War and Peace. Or: my 600k ride report

[redrhodie]

Wow. I read that report last night, and couldn't fall asleep thinking about it. I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that I don't have the kind of relationship with my body that I can get it to do anything even a little painful. Lucky for me, riding is never painful at the distances I ride . I think we all have our strengths, but overcoming the voice in my head that tells me "this sucks" is not mine. Maybe I wasn't as much like that when I was younger, but now, I definitely like things cushy.

But, I'm really curious. What makes you want to do this? Is it just the feeling of accomplishment at the end? I would need some huge reward a part of the goal, to have a chance of completing anything even a quarter as hard. Did you do that (give yourself something amazing)?

[maillotpois]

But, I'm really curious. What makes you want to do this? Is it just the feeling of accomplishment at the end? I would need some huge reward a part of the goal, to have a chance of completing anything even a quarter as hard. Did you do that (give yourself something amazing)?

You guys are all so great - thanks for the comments. As V pointed out, I did that ride in 2006, and Susan O bumped the thread because she has her own 600k going on - right now probably. (We eagerly await the report!!)

But to get to your question, redrhodie - I really just love long distance cycling and the type of people who do it. I did my first Death Ride in 2002 and my first double century in 2005 and was pretty well hooked. That's not to say that I do it all the time. I've done 9 doubles and several brevets over the 200 mile distance, but I haven't done a double since 2008, because I simply don't have the time. For the last several years, I have been putting most of my cycling time and energy into the Death Ride training program I run for TNT (which melissam and Dachsund did last year and in which jobob is kicking butt this year). And since I have a 14 year old daughter and a new business, I have to really work to balance it all and not let cycling just take over.

But that's the great thing about this sport, and ultra distance in particular. Once Em is off to college, I can start doing those long rides and not feel bad for being away all day. There was a guy on some of my doubles who was in his 80's and most of the double century crowd is in their 50's. This is a sport we can do for a LONG time.

I'm also pretty type A and ambitious overall.

[Susan Otcenas]

Susan O bumped the thread because she has her own 600k going on - right now probably. (We eagerly await the report!!)

No, it's this upcoming weekend. T minus 5 days and counting!

[jobob]

I'm also pretty type A and ambitious overall.

Gee, who knew.