The Barometer - CVC
Two weeks out from LOTOJA is the always fabulous Cache Valley Century. What in the past has always been a basic charity ride, has transitioned to.........something a little different. Still a great ride, but several last minute changes under a new event organizer - with some confusion on the overall course. The biggest change was the early roll-out. Years past the start was an open-roll at 08:00 - kind of late for any century (100 mile event). This year, they did a two stage race start at 06:15 & 06:20-ish. The crazy hammer heads were out of the gate and sweeping the goat-heads off the road for we rec-riders. Rec-riders rolled at 06:30 - for the most part. It was still a pretty casual roll-out. I love this ride for a lot of reasons, if for nothing else it covers some beautiful country. That and it gives me a chance to work on group rides - something I really never get to do during the year. Lets just say I know where I stand and what I need to do in the next 10 days.
Rolling groups - Too fast, Too Slow
Right out of the gate, a little hotshot flew past me like a lightning-bolt. No chance to catch that cat. From there I was reeling-in small groups left and right, but they were way too slow. Finally got onto a small group a couple miles out of Franklin. Not sure what happened there, but I found a few more guys that seemed to be okay. As usual, a little ways before Preston I let them go - knowing that I would catch a group hailing out of the early feed-zone. Sure enough, a group of maybe 20 solid riders pulled out together making for a quick, but comfortable ride west to what was supposed to be Dayton hill - surprise! Blowing down into the river bottom we hit 44 MPH, while managing the group. About halfway across the bottom stretch was a hard lefthand turn up a different hill. All the momentum shot to make the turn and start a grind. Instead of trying to burn the glycogen stores, I decided to spin my way to the top. Talk about getting dropped - hard! I lost all sight of that group by the time I got over that thing. What an IDIOT! Pushing down over the bars, everything I saved by spinning to the top was now having to be spent making up ground. Of course I rode the next 20 minutes alone, but slowly caught up with a couple riders heading toward Corndog (Cornish). With five miles to go before Trenton, it looked like we had a cohesive group. Several of these riders were doing the 60 mile course, while about eight others were on the 100 mile course. What we didn't know was the way they had split the course having skipped Dayton, would take us up Trenton Hill on another hard righthand turn. This is about a mile climb, with some variations to maybe 8%. Again, I misjudged and let the group outrun me. By the time I got over the top, that group was well on its way to Clarkston - without me. I could see a couple guys that I thought I could catch. At the turn I could see how far behind I really was. Trying to bridge the gap, I pushed a little harder up the hill before the descent into Newton. Once over the hill, those two guys opened a very wide gap. I caught those guys at the bottom of the hill just before town - and they weren't climbers. Another affirmation of how poorly I was doing on those climbs. Skipping the Newton feed-zone, I was right out on SR23 running toward the Mendon feed-zone. I rolled out of Mendon with a group of guys that didn't seem terribly strong, dropping them on the hill out of town (yes, me dropping someone instead of the other way around). Holding a pretty steady clip, solo, to Valley View, I had to stop for traffic - only to find that those guys were right behind me the entire way. Realizing it was better to ride with that group than go solo, I hooked on all the way out through Benson and Amalga. A couple of these guy made me nervous, in the way the line moved around. I rode with a couple other cats that were a little faster, but still pretty sketchy. Heading back toward Corndog park, I let them all go, thinking I was better alone than taking the chance. I had to work so hard I had sweat in my eyes, forcing me to stop at Corndog park. This is only like 12 mile from the end - well within striking distance for a strong finish. Going home I had a couple chances to hook-on to a couple fast, but small groups. I don't know why, but I always finish this one on my own. Coming into the west side of Richmond is a little hill that kicked my trash last year. This year (alone again) I punched it over the top with several gears to spare. At the end, I felt like I had still had gas, but also knew I'd been riding. I didn't feel too bad - even a little positive.
The Stats tell the tale......
Looking at the final Garmin stats, I could have done a lot better. All things considered, I know where I need to focus over the next week. A couple serious rides this week, with some hard intervals toward the weekend. The key at this point is a few incremental improvements without doing any damage. I don't have enough miles to "taper" like a lot of guys are doing a this point. Basically, I'm going into LOTOJA hard. I need to get some things out of my head and learn to hang-on where it counts.
Big Results to Huntsman
Supporters of both Huntsman and the Porpoise-Effort came through this week - with short notice. Over the past few days, seeing the donations and comments roll in - truly inspired me. I will take the time to pay tribute to all of the Porpoise supporters over the next week. For now, I can only express my awe and gratitude for the response to the last minute appeal. It sounds stupid, but it gets me very emotional. Several of these supporters have very personal stories and experiences that are why we do this. The fact that so many gave so much in such a short period is a testament of the good that resides in all of us - above else. It is important to know how much of a difference we all can make in nearly any capacity. You all have done and continue to demonstrate this tremendous human quality.
You are Wonderful
This bit of inspiration comes from a friend, that insists we all need to remind ourselves of our own positive attributes. Sometimes we doubt our self-worth. Other times, we simply forget how the little acts of kindness go much farther than can be seen. In todays world, it is easy to lose track of what really matters - to the point of remembering what makes us who we really are. Nothing happens purely by accident. Every little thing in our lives is deposited into a box that someday will shape the outcome of a critical event. Make that deposit count, knowing that someday you will need it to survive. Sure, we all have of our less than "proud" moments, but don't let those define the outcome - your outcome. Rather, develop the wisdom that makes you a better person. You are wonderful! Take inventory. Re-examine your values - those things that you still believe, but left behind for various reasons. Incremental improvements will get you there. Don't be content with the comfort that is "easy living". You were built to be more. We find out too late how much more we were capable of, only to lament our position. Ten years ago, I had just returned from a grueling 112 mile suffer-fest. My dad was nearing the end of his life and not able to get out for much. He told me "I wish I could still ride a bike". That stuck with me to this very day. Never take anything for granted. Your wonderful existence is a function of your ability to make the most of every breathing moment. When that day comes when you wish to be able to do those things you can no longer do, you will still feel as though you are wonderful in that legacy you will have left behind. You are wonderful! Don't waste your opportunity to grow that gift. You in turn will help someone else feel their self worth. Be genuine. Be true. Continue to be Awesome.
5150 - Thanks Steve
Steve's donation came in as "$51.50". I can see him as a "Van-Hagar" kind of guy. This one is for you from 5150............
Ride HARD!
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