I miss the triplets - NOT!

**Veronica** · 03-26-2006, 07:39 AM

What a ride. We started at about 5:15 and got into a little paceline. It was cool to watch the sky lighten up. It was pretty shades of pink and lavendar. But I now I know why they say, "Red skies in the morning, sailors take warning."

There was one climb before the first rest stop. I haven't done my computer download yet, so I don't know the exact numbers. We had a few sprinkles before the stop, as we pulled out it began to drizzle.

It was fairly flat for awhile and then some long shallow rollers. We pulled into the second rest stop and the skies just opened up. This stop had real bathrooms and the line for the women's room was non-existant. I switched jackets in the bathroom and put on my balaclava before we left. I felt like my shoes were filled with water. My shorts were totally soaked. I was squeezing water out of the chamois. The rain was so bad here that a bunch of people dropped out. There was no way to SAG everyone in (they would have needed a bus), so at least 3 groups called taxis.

After this stop we climbed up a few short, kind of steep stair steps. I had my first mental moment here, "Why am I doing this?". The rain and the cold wind were blowing down the hill right into my face. I pulled my balacalva up, right over my nose. That made me happier and turned a dismal moment back into an adventure.

Just before we stopped at the checkpoint in Morro Bay, we helped a guy with a flat tire, gave him one of our tubes. We turned in our poker chips at Morro Bay. It had stopped raining at this point and was just overcast. We continued on to lunch.

At the lunch stop, I took off my shoes and tried to let my socks dry a bit. Sometime after lunch, Thom got a flat. I found glass in his tire. His second tube was toast, so I gave him mine. By the time we got to Pismo Beach the sun was out!

More riding - Thom was feel pretty crummy. More riding, up some hills, down some hills, some flat. We got to the 4th stop and Thom decided to SAG in. He rode 145 miles, the most he's ever done and with out really training.

It was pretty flat to the 5th stop. I got there at about 6:30. It was a little chilly, but I opted to not have the Ramen. Probably a good call, since the last climb came right after this stop. I had my second mental moment as I started the climb. It was dark, I knew the hill was three miles long, but I couldn't see any of my instruments without turning on my small clip light. I don't really like being alone in the dark. Then I noticed the stars and I could see the lights of othe riders ahead of me. So,I just kept going.

We had been warned that the descent was kind of treacherous. I guess it's all in what you're used to. I didn't think it was bad at all, but I descend the chopped up side of Morgan Territory fairly often.

The route then had some rollers back into town. My ride time was 13 hours, 17 minutes. My total time was 15:25 or so.

I never felt physically crummy. My legs felt strong the whole day, I ate well. The wicked expensive LG were fabulous even after getting totally soaked. I wish I were a little faster, but whatever.

I did it!

V.

**snapdragen** · 03-26-2006, 08:00 AM

Congratulations V! Not only do you get the She-Ra tierra, but I award you the Magic Scepter as well!

Well done!

**yellow** · 03-26-2006, 08:19 AM

Good go, V. I knew you'd feel good based on how hard you've been training. Time, shmime! Helllloooooooo! You did a double ...something most of use will never do! And in inclement weather. That all adds up to a way big deal.

Are the triplets fired for good?

**SadieKate** · 03-26-2006, 08:39 AM

Yahoo! Good going! Who cares about time. You did it.

Just curious. How much did the gear you hauled compare toyour normal rock load?

**slinkedog** · 03-26-2006, 08:47 AM

You so totally rock, V! You're my inspiration!!

**jobob** · 03-26-2006, 08:50 AM

woo-hoo!!!

**aka_kim** · 03-26-2006, 09:37 AM

Yaaaa-hoooooo!
200 miles in bad weather - 13 hours is a fantastic time. Congrats! And congratulations to the Evil Coach too.

**massbikebabe** · 03-26-2006, 11:10 AM

I raise my cane and my coffee mug to you...congrads!!! What a lesson for the children this week!! Their teacher kicks a$$

karen

**Surlygirl** · 03-26-2006, 11:11 AM

Congrats Veronica. You rock!

**ladyfish** · 03-26-2006, 01:19 PM

congrats! That's awesome. Great job. I think the rain would have worn me down!

You Go Girl!!!

**Veronica** · 03-26-2006, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by yellow

Are the triplets fired for good?

Nope - Rock, Cary and Clod are going back in the banana bag tomorrow. I have 5 weeks to DMD, so training continues.

SK I would estimate that Fluffy weighed 11 pounds less than when I'm riding with the rocks. I was only carrying some extra clothes.

V.

**Lise** · 03-26-2006, 03:31 PM

AMAZING! Now I never get to whine again! I'll think of you and Nanci with her brevets, and I'll just keep going! Wahoo for you!

Lise

**Adventure Girl** · 03-26-2006, 03:46 PM

Nobody on the board is surprised that you kicked a$$! We all knew you were ready for it. Doesn't it feel great when one of those "why am I doing this" moments turns into an "I did it!" moment? Congratulations on a great accomplishment!

**cindysue** · 03-26-2006, 06:10 PM

wow! wow! wow!

big congrats to you! I can't even imagine descending in the dark. So scary. I think I'll start calling you Double Diva!

You're going to do great at DMD - and I'm sure the weather will be much nicer by then!

**tprevost** · 03-26-2006, 06:14 PM

Well done Veronica (& Thom too). I too knew you would do well with all that you've been doing! You are indeed inspirational!

Now enjoy!

Tracy

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