4a is too early for Tom Petty, but he provided an effective wakeup for those camping at Turtle Rock Park. We had been there for 3 days getting used to the altitude, taking in some good warmup rides, and doing a few hikes: now it was showtime.530a: the earliest start without lights, I slowly got myself together and prepared for the long day. Crowded start, and I waited a few minutes for some friends before anonymously setting off solo. Chilled mountain air...hard time controlling the front wheel...wobbly, shivering, what is wrong with me?! Did I undertrain these weeks leading up, or overdo it the past few days - less than a mile into the 129 mile route and genuinely worried I would crash. Navigated to the side, cinched the Mavic Ksyriums tighter: problem solved (only my 3rd ride on a borrowed Italian rocket - a million thanks Joe & Jay!).
Settled into a gear and reserved pace heading up Monitor, past my Turtle Rock compadres. Beautiful morning light, excitement & nervousness in the air, colorful jerseys and the beautiful sound of gears turning. Passing through the meadow at the top, anticipating the sweet descent, free of cars, on roads I'd driven plenty on family roadtrips and when I eventually lived in Mammoth. Amazing speeds on the near perfect pave, seeing a few heading the other way already. Lucky. Wanting to get going and cover ground before the heat, although this day appears the best of the last few for temps and air quality. Quick turnaround from the bottom rest stop: hit the green room, fill the bottles, and pockets bulging with bananas, fig newtons, and whatever my hands could grab. Back up, stuffing the calories and swigging the fluids...see my Santa Cruz friends in a blur heading down...and soon over the top and going the other way...a long descent...peaceful. You seeing this Grandpa? Spin the relative flats to Ebbets, and feeling good. Stong. Thinking about the accident and time off the bike. The mixed feelings I had going into this thing, and the sport in general. So little time, so much going on, and so hard to find the balance. Focus. Breathe. Spin. Repeat. Simple.
Clean the ascent quickly, down the back. Pickup someone on my wheel, he says we'll pass 40 at this pace. He is dropped after he counts off 27. No stopping at the summit, over the top and down the face - confident and fast. No risks, plenty of road to go...quick lunch and back on the road. matchup with a few and initiate the paceline through Markleeville and approaching Woodfords...feeling the heat, maybe pushing a bit much? So far to go, hard to know how much to save. Past Turtle Rock, no thought of turning in. Man on the sidelines yells "68...69...70, you guys are top 100!" Out of 3,000 that feels pretty good (reminder: endurance ride, not race).
Been a good motivator to see Monet at the Woodfords rest stop - she's a medical volunteer - and its a quick kiss and back on the bike with my paceline partners. Only...feeling tired. Hot. Uncomfortable in the saddle. The climb to Pickett's Junction is exhausting. I peel off the bike into the shade. Something is missing: salt. Pretzels, goldfish, cytomax. 30 minutes and plenty of riders pass.
Feeling better - lets get this done. Back on the bike and climbing Carson decently. Tagged onto a small group, standing to move to the front and...is that a rear flat? Noise and commotion as a rider behind me goes down - he contacted my back wheel and went over. The others continue, I circle back, he brushes off and we continue, catching and passing the others.
Clouds have moved in, making for a cooler climb. Some had mentioned a chance of rain, which seemed laughable 2 days ago. Thinking of Colorado and reliable 3pm showers. The climb continues. Remembering the drive down, past Kirkwood, and this descent seemed to take forever. No tough pitches, but no real relief. Down to the lowest gear, and churning - no smooth spin, just determined effort.
And then its over. I'm at the top. I cruise to the rest stop. Many others are here already. An ice cream? Yes please, haven't had a ChocoTaco in ages. First bite delicous, can't eat the rest. Tired. A 5 pass pin? Sure, thanks. Sign the board, linger a few, and urged to get down before the grey clouds break. Carson's pavement is cracked coming down & I share the road with cars. Exhaust from tailpipes and overall fatigue. But I've done it. Don't know what this proves, but its the longest I've ever been on a bike. Think back 3 months to the Stanford ER, the flight nurses, the paramedic stablizing my cervical spine, sharing a hospital bed with Monet, its all too much. Feeling grateful, alive, and wanting to be done. Ready to get off the bike. Quick celebratory kiss at Woodfords. Its just after 3p and going to rain soon. Round the corner for Turtle Rock...and...my sister & Alasdair, visiting from England! Quite a surprise, we catch up but I'm too tired to talk, just want to finish. I direct them to Monet, who is wrapping up at the aid station, and pedal the last few miles to camp.
A few others are there. A tired victory. Handshakes and smiles. "We'll see you next year". Shirt is removed, walking to showers, and the sky breaks open. Sweet precipitation. It feels wonderful, natural, cleansing. Lucky to be done, greatful for the timing and great ride - for 3/4 of it probably the best I've ever riden. Happy & fortunate, clean from the shower, catchup with family then a great BBQ feast. Pack the blue Subaru and on the road home driving up Carson. Cheer those still going: amazing resolve. Inspiring determination.
What a ride.
