At the Croton reservoir dam. 20 miles into the ride. Still fresh and feeling froggy.
The Croton Reservoir dam. The power of the water is breathtaking...just like the hills that got us here.
2nd food stop. 41 miles into it. The hardy riders are feeling the strain but still have some fight left. To those who don't ride long distances, eating is the most important thing to keep you going.
Someone has their dream bike, a Pinarello Prince, 14K worth of bicycles. I passed a few guys on bikes like this on my 3k bike. A good bike helps, but as Lance says, "It's not about the bike."
Kept staring at this guy until I realized we had met on the Major Taylor New Hope ride earlier in the summer. He wasn't wearing the Iron Riders kit, he was showing love for his fave team, a Spanish Basque team, Euskatel Uskadi.
Stevie UK, the Manx Missile. This guy climbs steep hills like he has rocket boosters coming out of his...well, you get the idea.
Every type of rider was there, Steve and the Major Taylors represent the competitive cyclists. These guys would be the recreational cyclists. These weekend warriors don't get out much as Steve and company but they had fight, there were NO COWARDS on this ride. The hills kicked many asses this year...mine included
Food stop number three at 52 miles. Everyone save the actual racers and those capable of racing were feeling the hurt by now. If the course were flat most would still be hammering but with hills as steep as 20 percent and above, no one was smiling on the road past this point.
Leaving food stop 3, fear and loathing in the back of my mind. "Who plotted this damn course? How can we go UPhill 80% of the time? Shouldn't we go down at least 50% of the time?"
Last food stop. 61 miles into the event. I felt like I was on the losing end of an Mixed Martial Arts fight. Everything hurt and I hated everyone around me. "Why are you all trying so hard, then I also have to try that hard."
Pro photographer chatting up a competitive rider. At least he too looked like he suffered a beat down.
Leaving final food stop. They said the rest of the course, the last 15 miles, is downhill and flat... this gave us all a sense of hope...
...of course they lied. The hardest hills are what came next. The downhills were a bit longer than the rest but it didn't matter, the uphills were shorter but waaaay steeper. After 75 miles of hell, I feel like I was in a war but managed to survive.
Parc Ferme, the pits for the non race fans. Free food and lots of it were the reward for beating yourself into a semi-drunk stupor. At least here you could carbo load and swig a beer or two to calm the muscles and nerves. I can't wait for next year's Golden Apple ride.
3:10 to Yuma baby. I was on a mission: ride 75 miles, my 2nd longest distance, in a very difficult hilly region of NY State. **MISSION ACCOMPLISHED** CONGRATULATIONS to the other finishers.
