Trepidation
It is not with a little trepidation that I approach tomorrow’s big ride. It’s the second in the brevet series I’m doing. It’s 300km long (about 187 miles according the the cue sheet). We start at 4am. Yes, 4am. Because of that we’re required to bring headlights for the bikes. Note to self: check batteries and bring spares.
You may have noticed a decline in mileage (both running and riding) at the tops of my posts lately. Other things have been happening lately that have taken precedence over training. I sort of got through the 200km on latent fitness built up from running through the winter. I’m not sure if I can muster the strength needed to finish tomorrow’s ride. It’s going to be challenging. It will be, in fact, the second longest ride I’ve ever done. It will be 13 miles short of a double century. Tantalizingly close to that landmark, but I’m positive I’ll be too tired to round it out.
It has quite a bit of climbing. I’m not AS worried about the climbing as I would have been in past years. I seem to finally have come into my own with regard to that. Sure, I’m not scampering up these hills like a mountain goat who idolizes Marco Pantani, but I can find a rhythm that suits me on just about all gradients that gets me to the top without wasting me. I think back to all the times I marveled at Richard Virenque’s graceful climbing. They way he rocked on the handlebars a quarter rotation ahead of his pedaling amazed me. I try to emulate it and can’t figure it out. Some gradients are easier than others. And it’s not always the more shallow ones that are easier. In fact, long slow climbs I find more difficult than short steep ones. Medium steep. On pavement. Not short steep WALLS on dirt like the Battenkill Roubaix throws at you. Actually, they weren’t walls, per se, but still… On dirt, it FELT like it.
The 300km follows nearly the same course as the 200km but goes around the NORTH side of Sacandaga Lake instead of skirting along the south side. I love riding on Sacandaga Lake. It’s so beautiful, the pavement is great, rolling hills, you always have a great view of the lake, and the traffic is light. It’s a good conversational stretch of the course–sort of like the cycling equivalent of a coffee house. Sacandaga is my Central Perk. Reviewing the cue sheet, I noticed that the north side of the lake is 33 miles long. Whew. I think North Shore Road is about 22 or so miles long and the next 10 or so are from the lake to Hadley.
I asked John if he had many advance registrations yet and he said a good number, and that hopefully the good weather will bring more. It’ll be good to get a couple more guys (and gals) to beef up the group. A bigger group means more conversation to help the miles tick by and the wind slip more effortlessly around us.
Useless numbers section
It took me a little over 8 hours to do the 200km (including stopping time). I’m estimating it’ll take 12-14 hours for tomorrow’s ride. I’ll be sticking by John Ceceri, the ride organizer, most likely. Last time I went out a little hot but realized I needed to slow down and meter out my energy even though I felt great. My average heart rate will probably be about 145 bpm. So for, say 14 hours, that’ll be 7.3 million heart beats for the event. That number is just too big to wrap my head around. Or heart for that matter. My pedaling cadence should be about 80 rpm, that means I’ll make over 67 thousand pedal revolutions.
Wish me luck. I’ll need it.
This is what I need to do tomorrow
3 Comments to Trepidation
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Your numbers don’t jive there. Your cadence is a little more than half of your heart rate. but the expansion of cadence is less then 1% of the expansion of heart rate. The expanded cadence s/b 4.28 million.
If 187 turns out to be a bit to much, give me a call. I’ll pick you up. I’ll Even arrange for some hot tea or a coke if your prefer.
Good luck with the ride, I envy you the attempt.
Love it your “coffee perk” yeah that view you described would fit for sure.
Are you nuts Kurt?? That is soooooooooooooo many miles to be pedaling, do you ever get say half way through and wonder what the hell you are doing? You seem to have the stamina but yikes, that’s one heck of a ride.
All I can say is good luck, and yep I know you will accomplish it with ease!!!
Ok - I’m sure I’m a little late..but GOOD LUCK!! KNowing your determination to get things done..yes it may be a challenge but I have faith you will do just fine! 12-14 hours?? HOLY CRAP!! I don’t even get that much sleep in 1 night..ok in 2 nights!! Damn boy…are you asking for a punishment!?? haha Seriously though..good luck and let us know how it went!