Oregon Coast 600K Ride Report

[indysteel]

I agree; what a great read! I made a beeline to my computer this morning with the hope that you'd posted the second installment....and I was not disappointed.

I am so glad you stuck with it and that conditions improved such that you could finish the ride more comfortably. What a fantastic effort. You have my utmost respect and admiration!

[maillotpois]

Great read!!

Congrats on pulling through your low moments - it's tough not having the right gear with you, etc. Been there (not on my 600). Anyway, in future you might consider getting a trash bag from a store, gas station or restaurant. Put it under your outer jersey or vest so it doesn't act as a sail.

and you're not crazy for thinking of PBP. I was thinking about it as well right after mine. I still occasionally consider it, but the logistics/cost of the trip are more daunting to me just now. If you can do it, give it a try! You will be able to qualify for sure - you need to stick a 400k in there somewhere, but they don't have to be sequential I don't think.

[Biciclista]

wow, great story. And you were able to do a really important thing. SLEEP.
i think you could do the 1200km ride. you've got the stuff.

[PamNY]

Wonderful story! You did good.

[roguedog]

Nicely done, Susan. You should be proud of yourself and gloat deservedly. It's an amazing accomplishment.

And here's to the Steve's of the world; those who come outta nowhere, don't know us but help us along down the road, changing our tires, fixing our dropped chains and whatnot, or just givin us enough words of encouragement to give a gentle lift to get us over the hill.


Here's a beer to you both.
<beer> (why don't we have a beer emoticon?)

Cheers!

[jobob]

That was mahhhvelous.

[kenyonchris]

I did a triathlon in numbing cold like that and it was MISERABLE...I can imagine trying to do it when sore and tired. GOOD FOR YOU!!!
Congrats and enjoy the recovery!

[GLC1968]

My husband and I did our ride in that same rain/ice storm that almost did Susan in...it was MISERABLE for us and we were warm and fresh when we started.

That girl definitely has a will of steel!

Well written report, Susan. Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

[Susan Otcenas]

Congrats on pulling through your low moments - it's tough not having the right gear with you, etc. Been there (not on my 600). Anyway, in future you might consider getting a trash bag from a store, gas station or restaurant. Put it under your outer jersey or vest so it doesn't act as a sail.

Thanks!

I might have stopped somewhere, except we were in the middle of nowhere. The 24 miles between Hwy 101 and the town of Siletz has not one single commercial business. There were a few homes and if I'd been more on the edge, I might have stopped and begged for mercy.

The other thing about not having the right gear in hand is that it's personally very embarrassing for me, given what I do for a living. I realize it was an error in judgement, and not that the gear I own is poor or insufficient, but nonetheless it's very embarrassing.

That said, I *am* going to do a post about some of the AMAZING pieces I wore that were comfortable and appropriate for so many miles in the saddle. More than one person has asked me how my butt survived the trip and were shocked to hear that I wasn't saddle sore! It's one of the reasons I think maybe I *could* do PBP. My legs were sore Monday, but my butt was fine and could have survived another day in the saddle.

[Susan Otcenas]

Congrats on pulling through your low moments

BTW, I have YOU to partially thank for that. Several times I remembered your wise words - something that hurts now may not hurt later.

SO true!

[Biciclista]

BTW, I have YOU to partially thank for that. Several times I remembered your wise words - something that hurts now may not hurt later.

SO true!

Susan, your lack of sore butt AND your ability to sleep are why I think you could do the PBP

[snapdragen]

Susan, you are a rockstar!

[Susan Otcenas]

Susan, your lack of sore butt AND your ability to sleep are why I think you could do the PBP

The guy I rode with from mile 110 to 140 said he was going to ride straight through because he found it impossible to get any rest when he stopped. He would just toss and turn if he tried to sleep, so now he doesn't bother to try.

Not me. I went out like a light.

Still, though, when I think about doing DOUBLE what I just did, on completely unfamiliar roads, it's very intimidating. I felt like the familiarity with the terrain was a huge advantage.

[colby]

Great story! So glad you stuck in there and finished. You probably would have kicked yourself for the DNF. Hooray for convenience store espresso machines.

Congratulations. Recover well!

[Susan Otcenas]

1) Steve, my savior
2) Wine country
3) My trusty Sweetpea
4) Proof
5) One tired, but happy, Susan