12 hours of Mesa Verde

 

I feel like I should say something divine like, Confucius says, He who rides bike long time needs to invest in good saddle.  But there is so much more to it than just a good saddle.  And really by the time you decide to ride your bike for 12 hours you have so much more to think about.  Like nutrition; how much salt, how many calories, what kind of calories, water bottles or hydration pack.  Then tires; what size, how durable, and how much pressure.  Then clothes and shoes; could I possibly ride my bike for 12 hours in my carbon shoes, how much will my feet hurt and will I care?  Oh the list goes on and on.  I settled on a few must haves: my yellow Mavic carbon shoes, my Stan No Tube wheels, my Rudy Project helmet, acclimate and VESPA, and my bike all tuned by Rock and Roll. 

Then I was off.  Before I knew it I was on the starting line ready to run for my bike.  What happened and how I got exactly there I really don’t know.  It all kind of fades together but I do know it was the perfect race to work out the kinks before I try my hand at the 24 Hour Solo World Champs in September.  I have to say that really the bulk of the race was very mundane.  Just road around in the most wonderfully fun circles all day.  Once it got hot in the afternoon we were blessed with the most cooling rain and hail.  I was soaked in a matter of minutes and it felt so good.  I might add that to the game plan for other races, to have someone dump a cooler of water on me a few times.  Oh and the trail was so very perfect after it stopped raining.  Just smooth and buff and fast. 

Then I proceeded to miss the cut-off by 6 minutes so I was done in 11 hours and 6 minutes.  Not a bad day but I will be back next year getting my 8 laps in.

A HUGE thanks to Alpine Orthoaedics for all the support, which includes getting to the starting line in the first place, all the help during the race- the team but mostly Stubbie and Ochs you were on fire, and helping me hobble home.   The Hot Tomato for all your love and support.  Pearl Izumi for the best chamois ever made, you made it easy to sit in the saddle all day.  To Tom and all your friends, thanks again for the G love and Special Sauce, you brought me back to life.  I owe you BIG time!

Til next week when the race is shorter but still in the hurt locker.