Post by mvi on Nov 11, 2007 20:19:36 GMT -5
A big thank you from the Tour de Nanthahala organizers (not me) to the WCU bikeclub members that staffed the Hw28 feed zone. A big thanks to the other volunteers and riders as well.
My ride was not what I hoped for. The start was relatively fast, leading to an early split at the Topton bridge.
~ 10 riders were of the front (out of >100 pack) with Scott , me and another rider trailing by 30 seconds. We chased back on in a few miles (there is a big hole in the air behinds Scotts back I noticed) , to ride in the fog to the bottom of the Stecoah gap climb.
The tempo of the leaders split the group of ~13 in several smaller groups, with me back by a minute maybe. Since some of the strongest riders (Sam, Troy) stopped at the top for a feed/stop, I decided to do the same, while the majority of the group started the descent. Just starting the descent 10 seconds behind the others caused me to ride solo to the start of Hw 28 where 2 riders from the back joined up. Since experienced a sharp pain in the knee, (so much for a pedal-/shoe change the day before) I rode a big part of the rest of the course in alone. The support-and rest stops were great! Gels, drinks and food at like 5(?) stops. I handed off my wind breaker at Stecoah, only to pick it up on the top of Wayah.
The key to staying with the front group seems to be having your supplies with you, and having a half gallon bladder. I think even Sam (shared first rider back) and Troy had to chase 15 miles or more to catch up with the lead group.
For some reason the 106 miles don't seem to hurt me as other rides do. It might be the low temperatures or the end of season form that makes things tolerable (despite the knee pain).
Since I have no time to cross this winter unfortunately, the mountain bike will get more time soon. Can't wait for the Park service to close the gates on the Parkway as well.
Ride safe! See Y,All next spring.
My ride was not what I hoped for. The start was relatively fast, leading to an early split at the Topton bridge.
~ 10 riders were of the front (out of >100 pack) with Scott , me and another rider trailing by 30 seconds. We chased back on in a few miles (there is a big hole in the air behinds Scotts back I noticed) , to ride in the fog to the bottom of the Stecoah gap climb.
The tempo of the leaders split the group of ~13 in several smaller groups, with me back by a minute maybe. Since some of the strongest riders (Sam, Troy) stopped at the top for a feed/stop, I decided to do the same, while the majority of the group started the descent. Just starting the descent 10 seconds behind the others caused me to ride solo to the start of Hw 28 where 2 riders from the back joined up. Since experienced a sharp pain in the knee, (so much for a pedal-/shoe change the day before) I rode a big part of the rest of the course in alone. The support-and rest stops were great! Gels, drinks and food at like 5(?) stops. I handed off my wind breaker at Stecoah, only to pick it up on the top of Wayah.
The key to staying with the front group seems to be having your supplies with you, and having a half gallon bladder. I think even Sam (shared first rider back) and Troy had to chase 15 miles or more to catch up with the lead group.
For some reason the 106 miles don't seem to hurt me as other rides do. It might be the low temperatures or the end of season form that makes things tolerable (despite the knee pain).
Since I have no time to cross this winter unfortunately, the mountain bike will get more time soon. Can't wait for the Park service to close the gates on the Parkway as well.
Ride safe! See Y,All next spring.
Everyone was having so much fun