The Tour De Cure Ride, 08
My First Century!!This year, The Tour De Cure, a bike ride event to benefit The National Diabetes Association, was held in Venice Beach. Most importantly however, this was my very first Century ride. A Century ride is 100 miles, which boggles my mind if I think about it to hard, so I try not to. I trained very hard this year. For once, I did not drop the usual 10-15 Lbs I do each year for the Tour. I guess despite all the hard training, I was eating more. Ah well, I still BENT a needle when I went to my Doctor's for a shot the week before. So I know I have "Buns of Steel" even if I didn't drop any weight! LOL!
Frumpy? Perhaps, but WARM!
I trained by riding regularly 2-3 times during the week; 20-24 mile rides, then would do a long ride on the weekend, bumping it up by five miles each week. I also started doing Hot Yoga, which I think really helped my flexibility and core strength. By the time I took my final long ride, I was up to 80 miles. However, I was a bit scared. Although I had completed them, my last two long rides (75 and 80 miles) had been extremely hard and I had dealt with some significant pain in my right leg, which scared me. I felt I could handle the miles and the discomfort, but was really worried about something "going wrong" physically. I'm 38 and had basically been a couch potato before getting into biking. Turned out I did fine!
Sudden Start - And we are off!
During my training, I was professionally fitted to my bike. The wonderful folks at Chainwheel Drivemy local Bike shop, were a huge help. We switched out many parts, including saddle, seat post and handlebars. By the time it was all over I had a real road bike, I have to thank them for the help and advice they gave, Rick, Charlie and Dave in particular. I could not have managed this without their help. A final adjustment to the fit a week before the race and I was in great form. I was amazed how the final tweaking helped my neck and shoulder comfort. I did great and only started to feel pain in my shoulders/ neck the last five or so miles!
Bill and I took our furry girls to Venice the day before. We checked into a nice little Days Inn that allowed pets. The girls were so excited and they did a lot to distract me. We drove a lot of the route that evening, which already had the signs up to mark it. I started to feel better getting to see the route. The wind however, scared the heck out of me. Some serious storms had blown in during the end of the week and there were still huge gusts going on. Having done long stretches in bad headwinds, I could only hope that things would settle down the next day.
We had a very nice dinner and tried to go to bed early. However, between two dogs sharing a full size bed with us, the noises of the hotel and my nervousness, I did not sleep well. Bill didn't either. Daylight savings was that night too, so 6AM was awful. Still, I jumped up full of nervous energy. We got to the starting point and it was FREEZING (for a FL native anyway). I had on about six layers and was looking somewhat dumpy, unlike some of the bikers in their sleek high-tek clothing. We checked in and everyone loved seeing Pickles and Daffy. I told everyone they were my cheering section. We had some breakfast and I got ready (with a quick run back to the hotel for forgotten gels and food). We went over to the starting point and I was chatting with Bill when they suddenly told us to go. We were caught unprepared and everyone leapt on their bikes and staggered around incoming cars to head out. I was so rattled I somehow dropped my sunglasses. I ended up calling Bill on my cell and he stopped by the road to hand off my regular glasses, so I did my ride in tortoise shell glasses with rhinestones on them!
Bill and the girls met me at the 64 mile rest stop.
The first couple of miles I felt daunted, thinking of how far I had to go. I got to 5 and though “Geesh, only 19 more of those to do!” But after a while, the time flew. I guess I was focused on following the route and riding in traffic. I had found my long rides would go on FOREVER, but this time, suddenly I was 60 miles in! I was pretty much at the end of the group by then. For a while, I was with a group of two other guys, but eventually I was dead last. Honestly, I was OK with that. I knew the folks who would be doing the Century would probably mostly be of a class of rider that I do not group myself in. I am not fast, (I ended up averaging 14MPH for my ride) but I knew by then that I could do it and that was all that mattered. Bill met me at that rest stop, and it was invigorating to see him and the girls.
My personal escort and me coming in, hugs from mom, but still 5 miles left!The last stretch was the hardest. Less due to discomfort and fatigue and more just knowing I was totally alone in the back, and the end of the route involved a few hair raising left turns on major roads. They had the sheriff’s Dept. out, but since I don’t ride much in traffic and was by myself, it was a little nerve wracking. I even got confused at one point and went past a turn, the deputy came after me and showed me where to turn, whups! For the last 10 miles or so, one of the cars that follow us and make sure everyone is ok followed me and helped me through the turns and intersections. They asked how it felt to have my own SAG vehicle. I told them very cool but kind of embarrassing as I was so dead last they had nothing else to do but escort me!
Finally, I turned in to the end of the Tour. The car that had been following me honked and everyone cheered. Bill and the girls were there and mom and dad. Pretty cool. Only funny thing was the route was actually 5 miles short! I decided I wanted “My first Century” to be an actual Century, so after all that, I hopped back on and did the last five. They were pretty much packing up by the time I finished. Still when I came in the first time, some other ladies said they had done the 60 and had just gotten in 15 minutes ago, so I didn’t feel too bad. It was weird though, coming in that far behind, not the case when I’d done the 60-mile rides. Still, I may not have been fast but I DID it!
And finally, 100 miles!I sacked out with a tired Puggie in my lap on the way home, dressed in warm dry sweats. All in all I spent 7 hours and fourteen minutes in the saddle, and 7 hours and fourty-five minutes out on the ride, in total, including breaks. I was so physically and mentally exhausted that I could not think to answer simple questions from Bill. Just getting out of the car and getting the dogs and bags into the house when we got home seemed insurmountable. Bill was such a great support all that weekend, and despite being tired himself, he again rose to the occasion and did the lions share of the work. Amazingly enough, we then went out that night to see the Blue Man Group in concert. Fortunately, it was a really great show and I was able to enjoy it despite being so drained. I was very stiff and hurting the next morning. A massage by my friend/masseuse Kelley did wonders however, and as I write this the night after my ride, I am feeling pretty darn good.
Never thought I'd see this!
I cannot thank my family and friends enough. You were all instrumental in helping me to accomplish this. Donations large and small added up to over $800 raised for diabetes research. Emails, Twitter posts, calls and words of support came in constantly. My parents taking the time from my dad’s Birthday trip to Sarasota to come see me over the finish line, and most of all the support of my husband Bill, making arrangements, handling things and even texting me encouragement on the road. He was my rock and I cannot thank him, and all of you enough!
Made it!
I'll be getting a TDC jersey as a thank you gift for my fundraising. I had one from my first Tour and now will have one from my first 100 mile ride. I will be wearing it with pride. So my Cousin Mar emails me today to congratulate me. She ends the email with the question...
What’s next?
Respectfully submitted,
Kerstin Upmeyer
3/10/08
