MMPC
06-12-2004, 04:27 PM
Okay, I'm back from the Tour de Cure; here's my report!
An ominous beginning: I woke up this morning in my friend's Loveland house at 5:30am and began to get ready. About 6:00am he, his son and I rode about a mile to the starting line only to discover (halfway there) that I had forgotten my water bottles - d'oh! After circling back to get them, we were just a few yards from the start when I swerved to miss a jagged rock - but still managed to hit it with my sidewall. The next thing I hear is "PFISHHHHHH" as my rear (non-"Slimed") tube ruptures. I go in search of the support folks (why change a tire yourself when you don't have to? LOL.) but they've already left for Aid Station 1 - double d'oh! So I commence to replace my tube with a Slimed version, get everything back upright and discover my cyclocomputer is DEAD - triple d'oh! Now, I have to say that about this time I'm beginning to wonder if all of these problems aren't signs that I shouldn't do this ride! But, remembering all of the people who thought enough of my effort to donate their hard-earned money to the ADA, I shrugged the setbacks off and began the ride as my friend and his son wished me "good luck" and returned home.
It was a cool, overcast day with temps in the 70s - absolutely PERFECT for riding! With the annoyances of the start line behind me, I begin to really enjoy this ride; but I'm still bummed that I have no ride data. I figure I'll check in with the mechanic at aid station 1 and see if he can make my day brighter. The route meanders through the pretty neighborhoods of Loveland, Colorado and - 13 miles later (so I'm told) - I arrive at aid station 1 and find Mr. Goodwrench.
This man made my day - not only did he have the battery I needed, he installed it, setup my computer and checked/pumped up my rear tire! Things are looking up...
I proceed along, feeling great that I now have ride data. Ten or so miles later, we begin the climb up Big Thompson Canyon - it's beautiful! This guy (never got his name! LOL.) and I take turns pulling/drafting all the way up as a 30 MPH headwind adds to our struggle. I took the most pictures during this stretch:
http://www.users.qwest.net/~mountainmediapro/Images/Tour%20de%20Cure/canyon%201_sm.jpg
The guy who teamed up with me (obviously I had dropped back to take the pic).
http://www.users.qwest.net/~mountainmediapro/Images/Tour%20de%20Cure/Look%20of%20pain_sm.jpg
Me, feeling the PAIN!
Finally (about 10 more miles later), we arrive at aid station 2 where those doing the 50-mile ride turn around and get to go back DOWN the canyon! WOO HOO!
http://www.users.qwest.net/~mountainmediapro/Images/Tour%20de%20Cure/Aid%20Station%202_sm.jpg
Aid Station 2, near Drake, CO.
I have never before managed to get my bike past 40MPH - I did today! Actually it was 41MPH down the canyon and it was quite a rush! The ride then meandered through rolling countryside for another 20 or so miles - nothing much to report there - then finally the finish. 50-miles - I did ever last one of 'em! :) I did spend a lot of time chatting with other cyclists during this ride and it really makes the miles fly by (and helps you forget about your pain). One thing I was wondering was what people were riding for. Many of them have people in their families or know others who have diabetes and I heard some very touching, motivating stories. One woman even lost her cat to the disease - who knew pets could get this?
Anyway, I was also asked many times what led me to ride. I'll be honest - originally it was little more than a chance to do a little bit of good while being able to ride in an organized cycling event. As I began to hear the stories and think about it, however, I realized that I do know of someone who has been affected by this disease - a member of this board, in fact. While he may not have the physical symptoms, one of his close family members does and I know it meant a lot to him that I was doing this ride. So - while I've never met his family, just knowing that what I was doing might someday help made the ride take on a new level of importance for me.
So, now that it's all said and done, I'd like to dedicate my ride to him and his family (he knows who he is - not sure if he'd want me saying). I now have a little bit better understanding of what people with this disease go through on a dialy basis and was happy to endure my little bit of pain to raise some money in the hopes of finding a cure...
An ominous beginning: I woke up this morning in my friend's Loveland house at 5:30am and began to get ready. About 6:00am he, his son and I rode about a mile to the starting line only to discover (halfway there) that I had forgotten my water bottles - d'oh! After circling back to get them, we were just a few yards from the start when I swerved to miss a jagged rock - but still managed to hit it with my sidewall. The next thing I hear is "PFISHHHHHH" as my rear (non-"Slimed") tube ruptures. I go in search of the support folks (why change a tire yourself when you don't have to? LOL.) but they've already left for Aid Station 1 - double d'oh! So I commence to replace my tube with a Slimed version, get everything back upright and discover my cyclocomputer is DEAD - triple d'oh! Now, I have to say that about this time I'm beginning to wonder if all of these problems aren't signs that I shouldn't do this ride! But, remembering all of the people who thought enough of my effort to donate their hard-earned money to the ADA, I shrugged the setbacks off and began the ride as my friend and his son wished me "good luck" and returned home.
It was a cool, overcast day with temps in the 70s - absolutely PERFECT for riding! With the annoyances of the start line behind me, I begin to really enjoy this ride; but I'm still bummed that I have no ride data. I figure I'll check in with the mechanic at aid station 1 and see if he can make my day brighter. The route meanders through the pretty neighborhoods of Loveland, Colorado and - 13 miles later (so I'm told) - I arrive at aid station 1 and find Mr. Goodwrench.
This man made my day - not only did he have the battery I needed, he installed it, setup my computer and checked/pumped up my rear tire! Things are looking up...
I proceed along, feeling great that I now have ride data. Ten or so miles later, we begin the climb up Big Thompson Canyon - it's beautiful! This guy (never got his name! LOL.) and I take turns pulling/drafting all the way up as a 30 MPH headwind adds to our struggle. I took the most pictures during this stretch:
http://www.users.qwest.net/~mountainmediapro/Images/Tour%20de%20Cure/canyon%201_sm.jpg
The guy who teamed up with me (obviously I had dropped back to take the pic).
http://www.users.qwest.net/~mountainmediapro/Images/Tour%20de%20Cure/Look%20of%20pain_sm.jpg
Me, feeling the PAIN!
Finally (about 10 more miles later), we arrive at aid station 2 where those doing the 50-mile ride turn around and get to go back DOWN the canyon! WOO HOO!
http://www.users.qwest.net/~mountainmediapro/Images/Tour%20de%20Cure/Aid%20Station%202_sm.jpg
Aid Station 2, near Drake, CO.
I have never before managed to get my bike past 40MPH - I did today! Actually it was 41MPH down the canyon and it was quite a rush! The ride then meandered through rolling countryside for another 20 or so miles - nothing much to report there - then finally the finish. 50-miles - I did ever last one of 'em! :) I did spend a lot of time chatting with other cyclists during this ride and it really makes the miles fly by (and helps you forget about your pain). One thing I was wondering was what people were riding for. Many of them have people in their families or know others who have diabetes and I heard some very touching, motivating stories. One woman even lost her cat to the disease - who knew pets could get this?
Anyway, I was also asked many times what led me to ride. I'll be honest - originally it was little more than a chance to do a little bit of good while being able to ride in an organized cycling event. As I began to hear the stories and think about it, however, I realized that I do know of someone who has been affected by this disease - a member of this board, in fact. While he may not have the physical symptoms, one of his close family members does and I know it meant a lot to him that I was doing this ride. So - while I've never met his family, just knowing that what I was doing might someday help made the ride take on a new level of importance for me.
So, now that it's all said and done, I'd like to dedicate my ride to him and his family (he knows who he is - not sure if he'd want me saying). I now have a little bit better understanding of what people with this disease go through on a dialy basis and was happy to endure my little bit of pain to raise some money in the hopes of finding a cure...