I was a bit apprehensive heading out to Tahoe, but the training was so thorough that I believed my coaches and my teammates that we could do it! We met at the airport at 6AM, which meant a 4:40AM alarm - the beginning of the sleep deprivation! About a dozen of us were on the flight out, and we landed in Reno and took a bus up to Tahoe without much fuss. Our bikes had been shipped ahead of us, and we would pick them up Friday evening.
Our first view of the lake from the bus to Tahoe from Reno!
So, it snowed the week before we rode - take a look in the background! That's not very far away! Fortunately it was beautiful all weekend, after a little rain cleared out on Friday afternoon. The air smelled fresh and like pine trees, the sky was blue and the temperature was crisp.
The hotel we stayed at was "all suites" which meant that my friend Diana and I each got our own room and bathroom, and the room had a kitchen and a living/dining room. Tahoe is a ski resort town, so it's set up like a little ski lodge. Of course the pool is probably closed in the winter..
Right next door was a little mall with restaurants, Starbucks, jamba juice, a grocery store and a bike shop. What more could a girl need? We stocked up in general, and for ride breakfast and of course, bananas. I don't know if I could start a long ride without a lucky banana in my jersey pocket now.
So we picked up our bikes, catching up with lots of teammates who were trickling in on different flights, and went out to dinner with few of us at the Riva Grill, right on the lake. We ate out on the deck, beautiful.
So we picked up our bikes, catching up with lots of teammates who were trickling in on different flights, and went out to dinner with few of us at the Riva Grill, right on the lake. We ate out on the deck, beautiful.
Saturday was the day for short ride to shake out our legs and make sure our bikes were working after their trip west. I think we were all a little apprehensive to get on our bikes - for me, it made the event seem so real! Here's my riding "sister" Carrie as we get ready to go on our test ride - she is way more excited than she looks ;)
Diana looking oddly sunny - I guess it's because she's about to work out!!
The good news, is that it felt great to be on the bike, and our little ride to Zephyr cove was uneventful, except for a massive amount of pictures taken! Once at the cove - Carrie and I were mentally ready for the big ride! Note the helmet "toppers" - with over 60 TNT teams from across the country, the toppers helped distinguish where riders were from. Yep, that's the capital dome - no Washington monument comments, please.
And the team looked awesome. Really, we were kind of big deal, ahem. I'm in the front row, third from the left, helmet off.
The good news, is that it felt great to be on the bike, and our little ride to Zephyr cove was uneventful, except for a massive amount of pictures taken! Once at the cove - Carrie and I were mentally ready for the big ride! Note the helmet "toppers" - with over 60 TNT teams from across the country, the toppers helped distinguish where riders were from. Yep, that's the capital dome - no Washington monument comments, please.
And the team looked awesome. Really, we were kind of big deal, ahem. I'm in the front row, third from the left, helmet off.
One the way back, I practiced the bike-riding self portrait with the iPhone. Practical and effective:
The afternoon some folks were headed for a drive up to Emerald bay, one of the two big climbs of the ride - and I recalled the advice I got from a teammate that his one regret his first year was driving up to Emerald bay before the ride and psyching himself out. Decided to stay in Tahoe and do some shopping instead :)
That night was the inspiration dinner - part of any TNT event. We were cheered on our way in my staff and coached from all the teams, which was completely overwhelming - it felt like a hero's welcome. In fact, the 1200 TNT riders at the event raised over SIX MILLION DOLLARS for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society - that was definitely something to be be proud of.
The food was OK, but the company and the speakers were exceptional. One of the teams' honored teammate was training with their team, but passed away two weeks before the race. He was just 17. His parents were there, and it broke my heart to hear their story. On every table were orange bracelets that read WILL POWER. We didn't understand until that moment - their honored teammate's name was Will. His parents had brought them as a tribute to their son. We all put them on.
One last team meeting back at the hotel, and there was nothing left to do except set the alarm clock for 4:45AM to meet the team downstairs at 5:30AM.
At the start line, we waited under the marquis, the sun was coming up and we were excited. The forecast was great and the morning was beautiful. I'm on the far right in this pic(behind #670's right arm) please note the lucky banana.
So Carrie and I had agreed to ride together - start to finish. As slow or fast as we felt like. I think I've said it before, but knowing we would be riding together was a huge comfort - a great part of being on the team is finding someone who's about your pace - the bonus for me was Carrie's awesomeness.
And I needed her awesomeness since I started off the day with a migraine on top of the little bit of nerves. Fortunately, it wasn't enough of a headache to keep me from riding (that would have been terrible) but just enough to throw me off a little bit.
Emerald bay is the steepest climb - take a look at the elevation map - at mile eleven, we started climbing and it was a steep two miles. I found my lowest gear, and dug in. After what seemed like a very long time, my legs and lungs were begging for a break - we were at about 6800 ft - so we pulled over and I caught my breath. Little did I know that we were less than 100 yards from the top! Argh! I could have made it!
So, over the top and down the hill (and up the hill, and down the hill) to our first rest stop at mile 26. I was not feeling all that spectacular, and hoped that some food and drink would perk me up. I got ride of some layers as it was starting to warm up, had some food and we celebrated finishing 1/4 of the ride:
Next stop Truckee - a 23.5 mile out-and-back spur off the lake to make the ride hit 100 miles. I was still feeling sluggish so Carrie went on ahead to meet me in Truckee - but as I rode along I felt better and better - and cruised into the Truckee rest stop feeling pretty darn good.
Another group shot with Carol, me, Carrie and Lilian.
Headed out of Truckee, back to the lake is not considered a highlight of the ride. Gently uphill, with a headwind and indeed, it was as promised. The slog was interrupted by Carrie getting a flat - John, Nikki and Jess were riding by and stopped to help.
In about 20 minutes we were rolling again. Easy peasy. Right about the time we got back on the Lake Road (ah beautiful again) I started to feel amazing. AMAZING. I don't know if I needed a 60 mile warm up, or maybe it was the banana but suddenly I felt strong! We cruised into the lunch stop at mile 72 at Kings beach and I was elated. Check out the proof:
Sandwiches, chips and cookies for lunch and another group picture!
I think we stopped for about 30 minutes all told - we ate, we sat, we gazed at the lake and a total stranger offered me watermelon. It was awesome. Plus we were nearly 3/4 done! But with one major obstacle in our path...Spooner Hill (da da DA!)
Spooner Hill: From mile 80 to mile 87, about 800 feet of gain, and in the hottest part of the day. This is the one where alumni will tell you to get in your lowest gear, spin, take lots of breaks...there's a water stop in the middle of the hill for pete's sake.
Turns out Spooner's not the only hill in the last 28 miles, but that map sure makes it look like it is. As happens often on our rides, Carrie's mojo had faded as mine came back - she was feeling the miles more than I was at that point, and there had been plenty of them.
We stopped for a picture before Spooner at what had to be the most beautiful spot on the ride - or maybe it just felt that way after the hill out of the lunch stop...and even took off our sunglasses for the picture.
And then Spooner. Cue dramatic music... except that it wasn't that bad, in fact, it wasn't really bad for me at all. And it's not like it wasn't a hill:
I just got in my low gears and pedaled, and time passed, and the hill went on, and up we went and up we went. The picture above is at the water stop, but it's pretty emblematic.
And then we were at the top - and the descent was the most amazing one ever. 7 miles down a wide road with sweeping corners. I think the self portrait is fairly early in the descent but really, it's one glorious blur.
And then we were heading past Zephyr cove and it was almost over! 95 Miles done. Carrie and I almost couldn't believe it. We hi-fived. Several times. We had come so far, trained so long, met so many fantastic people, and so far surpassed our own expectations, that we were quite literally giddy. There were tears in our eyes, and it wasn't just the last hill at mile 98 that brought them on.
The finish line was uphill into a huge lot behind the hotel where we started, and it was packed with people cheering us on. We raced up the hill and crossed the finish line together - I know this sounds crazy but I was almost sad it was over! After 8 1/2 hours! What an incredible feeling!
We went to the TNT tent to check in, got our medals and took some pictures!
After a flurry of phone calls, we waited for our remaining teammates to finish, cheered them in, snacked, drank a ton of water, and finally went to bring our bikes back to the truck to be shipped home. Let me just say that this was, hands down, the most painful part of the ride. After standing around for 45 minutes, my legs and and my butt were outraged that I was on the bike again. At first I thought I'd stand the whole way since it hurt too much to sit, and then I had to sit because it hurt too much to stand.
We celebrated with the Team that night, and it was bittersweet. So great to be done and to hear everyone's stories of the ride, sad to know that we were almost at the end of our adventure together.
I can't thank enough everyone who made such a difference along the way - Coach Bill and Coach Ed from whom I learned an incredible amount. My mentor Lisa, my buddy ride partner John, Karen and Rob, Kirk, Terre, Joan and all the teammates who took me under their wing and everyone who made the miles pass and the rides fun.
And all of you! Everyone who sponsored me, encouraged me and were so proud of what I was doing, I literally could not have done this without you.
And for one last 2010 time - Go Team!
The afternoon some folks were headed for a drive up to Emerald bay, one of the two big climbs of the ride - and I recalled the advice I got from a teammate that his one regret his first year was driving up to Emerald bay before the ride and psyching himself out. Decided to stay in Tahoe and do some shopping instead :)
That night was the inspiration dinner - part of any TNT event. We were cheered on our way in my staff and coached from all the teams, which was completely overwhelming - it felt like a hero's welcome. In fact, the 1200 TNT riders at the event raised over SIX MILLION DOLLARS for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society - that was definitely something to be be proud of.
One last team meeting back at the hotel, and there was nothing left to do except set the alarm clock for 4:45AM to meet the team downstairs at 5:30AM.
At the start line, we waited under the marquis, the sun was coming up and we were excited. The forecast was great and the morning was beautiful. I'm on the far right in this pic(behind #670's right arm) please note the lucky banana.
So Carrie and I had agreed to ride together - start to finish. As slow or fast as we felt like. I think I've said it before, but knowing we would be riding together was a huge comfort - a great part of being on the team is finding someone who's about your pace - the bonus for me was Carrie's awesomeness.
And I needed her awesomeness since I started off the day with a migraine on top of the little bit of nerves. Fortunately, it wasn't enough of a headache to keep me from riding (that would have been terrible) but just enough to throw me off a little bit.
Emerald bay is the steepest climb - take a look at the elevation map - at mile eleven, we started climbing and it was a steep two miles. I found my lowest gear, and dug in. After what seemed like a very long time, my legs and lungs were begging for a break - we were at about 6800 ft - so we pulled over and I caught my breath. Little did I know that we were less than 100 yards from the top! Argh! I could have made it!
So, over the top and down the hill (and up the hill, and down the hill) to our first rest stop at mile 26. I was not feeling all that spectacular, and hoped that some food and drink would perk me up. I got ride of some layers as it was starting to warm up, had some food and we celebrated finishing 1/4 of the ride:
Another group shot with Carol, me, Carrie and Lilian.
In about 20 minutes we were rolling again. Easy peasy. Right about the time we got back on the Lake Road (ah beautiful again) I started to feel amazing. AMAZING. I don't know if I needed a 60 mile warm up, or maybe it was the banana but suddenly I felt strong! We cruised into the lunch stop at mile 72 at Kings beach and I was elated. Check out the proof:
Sandwiches, chips and cookies for lunch and another group picture!
Spooner Hill: From mile 80 to mile 87, about 800 feet of gain, and in the hottest part of the day. This is the one where alumni will tell you to get in your lowest gear, spin, take lots of breaks...there's a water stop in the middle of the hill for pete's sake.
Turns out Spooner's not the only hill in the last 28 miles, but that map sure makes it look like it is. As happens often on our rides, Carrie's mojo had faded as mine came back - she was feeling the miles more than I was at that point, and there had been plenty of them.
We stopped for a picture before Spooner at what had to be the most beautiful spot on the ride - or maybe it just felt that way after the hill out of the lunch stop...and even took off our sunglasses for the picture.
And then Spooner. Cue dramatic music... except that it wasn't that bad, in fact, it wasn't really bad for me at all. And it's not like it wasn't a hill:
I just got in my low gears and pedaled, and time passed, and the hill went on, and up we went and up we went. The picture above is at the water stop, but it's pretty emblematic.
And then we were at the top - and the descent was the most amazing one ever. 7 miles down a wide road with sweeping corners. I think the self portrait is fairly early in the descent but really, it's one glorious blur.
And then we were heading past Zephyr cove and it was almost over! 95 Miles done. Carrie and I almost couldn't believe it. We hi-fived. Several times. We had come so far, trained so long, met so many fantastic people, and so far surpassed our own expectations, that we were quite literally giddy. There were tears in our eyes, and it wasn't just the last hill at mile 98 that brought them on.
The finish line was uphill into a huge lot behind the hotel where we started, and it was packed with people cheering us on. We raced up the hill and crossed the finish line together - I know this sounds crazy but I was almost sad it was over! After 8 1/2 hours! What an incredible feeling!
We went to the TNT tent to check in, got our medals and took some pictures!
After a flurry of phone calls, we waited for our remaining teammates to finish, cheered them in, snacked, drank a ton of water, and finally went to bring our bikes back to the truck to be shipped home. Let me just say that this was, hands down, the most painful part of the ride. After standing around for 45 minutes, my legs and and my butt were outraged that I was on the bike again. At first I thought I'd stand the whole way since it hurt too much to sit, and then I had to sit because it hurt too much to stand.
We celebrated with the Team that night, and it was bittersweet. So great to be done and to hear everyone's stories of the ride, sad to know that we were almost at the end of our adventure together.
I can't thank enough everyone who made such a difference along the way - Coach Bill and Coach Ed from whom I learned an incredible amount. My mentor Lisa, my buddy ride partner John, Karen and Rob, Kirk, Terre, Joan and all the teammates who took me under their wing and everyone who made the miles pass and the rides fun.
And all of you! Everyone who sponsored me, encouraged me and were so proud of what I was doing, I literally could not have done this without you.
And for one last 2010 time - Go Team!
