Not much to say about last weekend's ride. The weather called for rain on and off Saturday and Sunday. Sunday looked the better of the two days, but not enough to move the ride. Plus the whole Easter Sunday thing. We met out in Poolesville at 7AM, ready to ride at 7:30AM. Something about the weather getting stormy later in the day.
It rained on my drive out. It rained as the team met before the ride. It rained as we rode out. I had been deciding between a short vs long sleeve jersey under my rain jacket. It was so cold, I wore both. And a shirt under that. And my warmest gloves. And tights...and an ear band... It was about 43 degrees.
Poolesville is a hard ride. Generally considered the hardest on a mile per mile basis. It's 54 miles of climbing and I'm not sure where you lose the elevation that you climb through, but I suppose some part of that ride is downhill. Last year the headwinds were vicious and by the time I reached the first SAG stop at 20 miles, my legs were burned out. It was at this point that someone mentioned that the next 20 were the hardest of the ride. I was better prepared physically and mentally for this ride, but I was tired and discouraged from the rain, although the rain stopped for the middle of the ride. It got windy, but at least not both at the same time, right?
Within 5 miles of the SAG stop is "The Wall". A really steep hill that is a painful climb. It's discussed in reverential terms. Last year I walked it. I rode as much as I could and then just hoofed up the rest. This year? I rode it. Yeah, I did. What a difference a year makes. Very proud of myself for that.
We were encouraged not to ride up Sugarloaf Mountain, the descent is technical, twisty, and in the wet, pretty dangerous. The roads were wet, flooded, gritty and loaded with gravel on the flats, no need to risk getting hurt. My attitude? I came out and rode in the rain and the cold, sugarloaf was more than was needed for the day. I had nothing to prove, plus I rode it last year :)
The second SAG stop we heard about people having a hard time of it. A few folks fell crossing railroad tracks, especially slippery in the rain. My teammate Ann had baked snickerdoodles, and they were delicious. And then we rode the last 13 miles. There were hills I'd forgotten, my legs were tired, my energy low and 5 miles from the end, it started to rain, hard. By the time we got back to the car, it was pouring. I just threw everything in the car, shucked off my rain jacket and gave my teammate Karen a lift to Basset's for lunch. I had brought some dry clothes, I learned my lesson after a few wet rides last year.
So I wont lie. Getting up early to ride in the rain sucked. Riding in the rain sucked. But if it was easy and fun all the time, it wouldn't be the same incentive to donate to the cause. I promise to ride every week no matter what the course or conditions and generous people donate money. That's the deal, I'm not welching.
I will say, that riding with my friends and teammates made it a ride that I'll remember for the good parts. Having Karen and Carrie riding with me 100% made the ride infinitely better. We rode with Ann for a while, Geoff for a while and we all beat that ride together.
So you probably know the end of the story, Saturday afternoon was sunny and beautiful. Sunday was sunny and beautiful. Frustrating and ironic. But I'm glad I rode with the team on Saturday. It's kind of the point of the whole thing, isn't it?
Anyway, tune in to hear about an offer that TNT made me that I've decided I can't refuse. Here's a hint. More time on the bike...
Go Team!
