Greetings PeopleWell, as you probably can guess - Once more I have found another biking story for me to load on this blogger.com. Hope you like...
Greetings Goofball-ers & Friends
Introduction
What can I really say after those immortal words from the movie Scent of A Woman that precede my biking story. I am a fucking machine. ::laughing:: Well, I feel that way after officially completing 205 miles over two days this past weekend. I have always thought about doing a back to back century, but I never did think I really could accomplish this feat so early in my biking career. In case you readers are not familiar with the biker's lingo - a century is 100 miles. ::smile::
OK Goofball-ers' grab your frozen Margarita, hot cup of Joe, or my favorite non-alcohol drink during this biking season - Lemonade. I will entertain you - make you laugh, make you cry, and make you think that if you put yourself to the test you can do it. I am proof of walking the walk and talking the talk
Note: This here story is about my bike riding and nothing else. Maybe some surprises other than that strictly all about me. Me, me, and me. If this is not your cup of tea then read no further. My attitude and ego are way above normal right now, so please be aware when reading this story. Remember, if you do not like what you are reading you do not have to read any further.
Saturday, July 8, 2000 Highlands Ranch, Colorado - Elevation 5,500
"No, I'm just getting warmed up!"
Scent of A Woman
Note: Before reading further readers - No disrespect is intended to any religious parties. My apologies to anyone who is offended. Remember you do not have to read anything you do not want to. All views expressed are mine. Thank you. I write from the heart and sometimes a "little" over the lines is required to get my overall effect.
Saturday - July 8, 2000 Day One
Mile 0 - Starting Line (Highlands Ranch) - Top of the world. The unknown. We are all afraid of the unknown. Each of us has a different definition of the word "afraid" with the use of the word "unknown".
The start time was 5:45 in the morning, but I did not get to start from Highlands Ranch until 6:55 AM. My brother dropped me off at the starting line that morning. I had my traveling bag with my gear and my so-called tent (The tent I use in the Courage Classic every year ::laughing::). Registration was pretty quick. My bike number was #2740 which ironically is 1000 more than my Santa Fe Century bike #1740. I did not know that I had to pick a power source (basically a person I am riding for who has MS). I chose my register, Lynda, as my power source. After registration, I walked my bike to the starting line and got a couple of pictures of me at the starting line. I put on my helmet and immediately got the "oh look at his helmet" and "I don't want to be a pie" comments ::huge smile:: And how could I not forget that taunt, bare midriff ::Homer Simpson drool:: midriff.... ::laughing:: on either side of my helmet and Burt on the front of my helmet. Scooby Doo and Ernie, along with the chickens and Brittney, flew the coop two weeks ago on route to the Tour De Prairie in Wyoming.
The morning was beautiful, barely a breeze blowing, not a cloud in the sky and the morning air was perfect - not cold nor hot. We riders rode down Highland Ranch parkway where we then turned south on highway 83. I had some catch-up to do with being an hour and 15 minutes later behind the first wave of starters. Was I worried? - hell no! This part of the area was my "hood". I knew the layout of the land and that is all the edge that I need to know where to exert myself and where to play possum. I usually listen to cassette tapes on my rides, but this time I chose to listen to the radio. The FOX 103.5 out of Denver and KILO 94.3 out of Colorado Springs.
Mile 7 - Aid Station 1 (Louviers) - ::shaking head in disbelief:: I amaze myself in the most dipshit category. Sometimes, I say to myself I might as well dye my hair blonde. Two times I have done this. Roughly around mile five I was getting parched and grabbed my water bottle. Empty. I said to myself OK - no problem - grabbed the other water bottle - empty. Unbelievable! I had to laugh at myself for doing an unforgivable faux pas. I got to the aid station and filled up both water bottles with a sports drink. Why? I decided after going a mile from the starting line to do the century option instead of the regular 75 miles. I needed more than just water. Fruit punch flavor was the supplement and not too bad. I grabbed some slice oranges, finished them about two minutes later and then got onto my bike and pedaled into my future which I am proud to say was bright later that day.
Let me sidetrack for a bit. The MS 150 Bike Tour. I have heard about this every year, but somehow I have a scheduling conflict or I just thought the MS 150 would not be my cup of tea. All I needed I guess was a little push to do the tour and that push came from Kate, who I report to at the firm I work for. Kate has a friend who has MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and that was basically all I needed. Although, I did not know that I was riding until a few days before the bike tour. Not a problem for me. ::sarcastic smile:: Why? because... "Get a camera on him. This guy is good"! You know this! ::maniacal laughter:: and now back to the story...
Leaving Louviers, I was beginning to catch up to the early riders. The prior seven miles I passed about 17 riders. I kept on saying "on your left" which was my nickname last year, Daryl "on your left" C. =) past them all, young riders, old riders, inexperience riders, flashy riders, wannabehardlooking riders LOL, and expensive looking riders. Hoo hah.
Oh oh oh, I better explain my riding gear and my bike, Motobecane. I decided to use the sign I used in the Tour de Prairie two weeks ago and use Watto from last year when I rode the Courage Classic. The sign was back on the back of my bike like a license plate, but much bigger. Watto, of course, was larger than life sitting on top of my helmet. I had my Tour Diablo bike jersey on (yellow with a red devil on the back), my biking shorts and gloves and of course my Oakleys. I may look funny, dorky, stupid, amusing, but remember the key thing is I am laughing at you when I pass your ass and say c-ya ::heavy emphasis on c-ya!::. All in good fun and that is one of the reason I enjoy riding and making the most of them. And the other big plus by making myself a humorous target - the women. woo - bingo! On a bike I am my true self, but in a bar I am not like anything like myself on a bike. When on my bike I talk and joke and just be me. I think that I have met more woman on my Motobecane than I have in a bar. Must be the bike or wait... must be my legs.. oh yeah.. =) ::laughing:: ok maybe not, but if I say that enough times it will come true. ::shaking head pathetically::
Mile 9 - I saw my victim(s). I caught myself a tandem. Rider 1609 and 1610. Unfortunately, I do not know their names, but I know their rider #'s. I was using them as a windbreaker and as a pacer. I told them of my intentions and they said no problem. =) I did lose them going down a few hills, but I pushed myself to catch up to the tandem. A mile down from the hill I snuck up and I was right back behind them. 1609 says no problem? I replied no problem with a smile =). We became old friends fast. Every time we made a move to pass a pack of riders the tandem would say "ready" and then, we sprinted by the large packs of slow riders. I had to double time my pedaling every now and then when the tandem would make a sprint run. If they were trying to lose me, I could not tell, but I never let them out of my sight.
Mile 15 - the Tandem and I were film by Channel 7 news from Denver, but only biking past the camera.
Mile 16 - Aid Station 2 - The tandem asked me if I was going to stop at the aid station. I replied only if you are stopping. Tandem said "no" and we blazed by the aid station. I did not need to stop. I had my sports drink and I still had some serious time to make up. As I am riding this, I past a lot of riders. I mean a lot. Either I am in real good fucking shape or there is a lot of inexperience riders. ::serious face:: I do not know.
Mile 25 - A paradox. Between mile 16 and 25 we passed about 100 riders then the tandem, my tandem, had a bike failure on a hill climb. I was not going fast so I did not have to worry about running into the back of them, but I had a moral dilemma. Do I stop and wait for them to put the chain back on or do I just pedal and put some distance between us, because I knew they had the capability to catch up to me since it was a tandem. Needlessly to say, I remembered my question I asked them when I first met them and their answer was "no problem".
Mile 26 - Aid station 3 (Perry Park) - Once again I did not stop and just kept on pedaling. My goal was making up my late starting time, but also putting some distance between me and my tandem. Leaving the aid station I yelled "whose house? my house" =) There was about an eight mile hill climb - very gradual. I passed about 30 riders the first six miles then got a warning from the state police for being out too far to the left. I was passing a rider on a hill and boom - the State Police chose me. All I did was nod my head in acknowledgment. I reached county line road (El Paso/Douglas County line) and got into my sprint mode. It was about a mile long hill climb, but I passed about 20 riders to the top. I passed them, or a better yet flew past them.
Mile 40 - lunch stop - (Monument) - I think it was 10:15 AM. I grabbed a sandwich and a variety of fruit. I ate in silence and contemplated when to leave. I left about 30 minutes later and went a slower pace than this morning, since I just ate lunch. My food needed to digest. I reached the crossroads of fate (actually North Gate Drive just north of Colorado Springs) and I went for the century option. I reached a rider and he says to me "we must be the only fools to do the century." I replied "Actually we are the only riders with character." We undecidedly hooked up and to use each other biking the century option.
Mile 52 - Century Aid Station - A lot hill climbing and I thought I we were about ready to turn around and go back. I filled up with a sports drink once again and got a patch. This patch is extra special. Only given to the century riders. =) And guess where that patch is going. Nope. Yes, I am sewing that bad boy onto my Tour Diablo jersey (with the devil)
Off I went and I expected to turn back around, but no. We turned north and bike uphill again. I went north for a while then finally turned west. I then saw Pikes Peak in the distance. I could not believe how far east we were. And more hill climbing. Up and up we went with little downhill here and there, but just biking up and up.
Mile 65 - Estimate - Finally biking downhill and I was following another rider. I did not follow him to his demise though. Demise you ask? This guy just rode past the turn where he was supposed to take. I too would have rode by, but I was paying attention at the last second. We both were going 40+ mph and there was no way he could have heard me yelling "Hey". I let him go and basically said c-ya. Once again, one less rider I had to pass. =) cold and heartless to think that way, but my competition morals differ from my everyday morals.
Mile 75 - I returned to the crossroads of fate and proceeded to head toward the USAF Academy. There was a climb to the overlook and quite a few riders were walking their bikes. I was getting tired after riding 72 miles and just looking at them walking their bikes made me tired. I made the Aid stop and took a 15 minute break. I was mentally bushed and I can only surmise that most of the mental breakdown was from the boring scenery on the century option. I sat with one woman who did the century with us and I got to see more than just a midriff ::shaking hand in hot gesture:: woo bingo. Physically fit, tanned, blonde, and gave me a toothache ::smiling:: I actually been seeing her all day, but never got to know her ::wink wink:: Out of my league most likely ;-).
Mile 83 - Aid Station 7 - (10th Air Base Wing) Before this Aid station, I reached a speed of 47 mph coming down from the foothills of the Colorado Rockies. I also passed a SAG truck going downhill and pretended to rev my Motobecane like a motorcycle. ::laughing:: The SAG riders which had no smile, got a laugh and I got a laugh. Wearing Watto on my head, a sign on the back of my bike saying "I don't want to be a pie" and pretending to be on motorcycle.... shit - a sight to behold Goofball-ers'. I also lost a cassette tape which was in my Walkman and then 10 seconds later I watched that tape get run over by a truck. ::laughing:: Pissed me off. Damn. I still do not know which tape I lost. =) Snow Cones. A snow Cone rest stop! It has been years, if not a decade since I had a snow cone. It was da bomb. The snow cone did not even faze my teeth. My mouth turned red after that cherry snow cone, but well worth the pleasure.
The rest of the route was through the streets of Colorado Springs. Stop and go traffic. Some people were spraying us with water from their backyards which was nice. The water was very refreshing. Yes, they asked us before spraying water all over us. Oh that cool water being sprayed all over your body on a hot day like this - almost heaven.
Mile 101 - Colorado College Colorado Springs - Finish line - I did a sprint, but no one was around. =) ::smug look:: Damn I am good. As I said in the beginning, my future was bright - I set a new record for myself. I did the century ride officially in six hours and 55 minutes. Twenty-five minutes quicker than my old record. Not too shabby.
End of Day One
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w-i-t-h-u-t-m-o-s-t-s-i-n-c-e-r-i-t-y
Daryl aka CalSeti
Greetings Goofball-ers & FriendsIntroduction
Yes, I know a week late, but better late than never. right?! Enjoy. In case any reader is joining us late, this is Day two of my MS 150 Bike Tour 2000.
Note: This here story is about my bike riding and nothing else. Maybe some surprises other than that strictly all about me. Me, me, and me. If this is not your cup of tea then read no further. My attitude and ego are way above normal right now, so please be aware when reading this story. Remember, if you do not like what you are reading you do not have to read any further.
Sunday, July 9, 2000 Colorado Springs, Colorado - Elevation 5,???
"I'm not finished!"
Scent of A Woman
Note: Before reading further readers - No disrespect is intended to any religious parties. My apologies to anyone who is offended. Remember you do not have to read anything you do not want to. All views expressed are mine. Thank you. I write from the heart and sometimes a "little" over the lines is required to get my overall effect.
Sunday - July 9, 2000 Day Two - Woo wee. The night was very nice for me and who should I give thanks to? Thanks for what you ask? Well, for not raining on me. Since, I knew the weather patterns during that whole week prior I gambled and once again walked away dry.
4:15 AM - My little alarm clock woke me up and I just looked around me to see if anyone else was moving around. Sure was. People all around me were waking up also and putting away their tents. I on the other hand, just laid back down and listened to them work and also to the birds chirping away in the coming light of dawn.
4:45 AM - I packed my bags and rolled up my waterbed comforters and dropped them off at the moving van. I headed over to the breakfast tent and grabbed some oatmeal, a bagel, a sausage, and filled my water bottle with some freshly squeezed lemonade. ::homer simpson ecstasy look:: arrggglllgggghh ahhh lem-on-ade... People were eating around the tent or on some tables nearby, but I headed into one of the dormitory's nearby. I located a table that had my name on it. I sat and proceeded to eat my breakfast and turned on my Walkman to KILO 94.3 . As I wrote on my day one event, I decided to listen to the radio. I caught the tail end of a commercial and then the familiar riff of Ironman by Ozzy Osbourne. Followed by Metallica's song from MI:2 movie. By then I was awake and ready to do the second century of this tour and my first official century back-to-back.
Mile 0 - Starting Line (Colorado Springs) - 5:30 AM - I left the starting line from Colorado College. The sun was not quite over the horizon, but the sunrise was going to be spectacular. The sky was void of any clouds. I started with a small group of bikers that morning. Four of us - me, Laura and two others which I know not their names ::smile:: The century option for today was to bike directly east of Colorado Springs and then turn south for bit then head west and bike through Ft. Carson Military Base. Thirty miles extra before actually getting on the route with the rest of the non-century riders.
Mile 8 - Aid Station 1 - (Palmer Park) - Laura and I talked basically all the way to this aid stop. Laura was not sure what amount of miles she was going to do, but I was and told her straight up that I was going to another century. I think, Laura said "I was an animal" and I said "only in bed" ::laughing:: Damn straight she laughed and so did I. ::evil grin::
Flashback... Waking up this morning my body was not sore, nor was my ass, or my ego. I was feeling tiptop and I was ready to take on the day. I knew I was going to take the century option, but my dilemma was not being able to get to a certain checkpoint in time to complete the century option. Here's the dilemma - Any rider who wanted to go for the Gorge had to reach Canon City by 12:00 to take the option. Noon was my deadline and I had reach to reach mile 72 in order complete my century. Yes, I was worried. I did not know the terrain of where I was biking. I did not know how steep the hills were and I did not know how much the wind was going to be a factor today. Yet, with that little fear I was ready to take on the world. I had two goals for today and both goals depended on whether or not I make that noon deadline. Those goals might be high for me, but that is me in life I set goals which are high and I will attempt to achieve those goals no matter what. If I do not have a challenge then I have nothing. returning to the story...
Mile 15 - (Mark Sheffel Road) - I heard an oldie Wherever I May Roam by Metallica. I really liked this song way back in the day and I still do. Goofball-ers', I have been roaming all over a tri-state area and not until I actually heard that song I felt good about myself. Yes, I was sort of strung out and tired the past six weeks and wherever I may roam was very fitting.
The ride through Fort Carson was boring. I expected something, but I got nothing.
Mile 30 - (OConnell) - I finally joined the rest of the late early riders who elected to take the short route or to sleep in late or any other reason. I had a duty to look good in front of the other riders. I had to show to them, but more to the point, I have to prove to myself that I have what it takes. Highway 15 is where I turned onto and up into the foothills I rode with the other riders falling behind me. ::smile:: Oh yeah! Those riders were dropping like fly balls out the ballpark. ping! ::bat hitting the baseball:: ping. ping. ping.
Riding up into part of the foothills I still pedaled with authority. ::evil grin:: Like I do not do that all the time when I pedal. We riders had about a seven mile elevation gain then basically all downhill to a town called Florence for lunch.
Mile 40 - (Turkey Canyon Ranch) - Aid Station 4 - Got some sweat on my brow, but definitely not from the hill climb. The sweat was from the heat - upper 90s and the heat was beating down on me on that climb. I grabbed some more of the sports drink and some more oranges. I did not want to stop at this Aid station, but I had to refill my almost empty bottles.
Looking down at my watch I saw the time and I estimated I was doing OK, but in the back of my mind I was getting a little worried about the noon cutoff. With that thought I got onto my bike and started the long glorious decent into Florence. ::shaking head:: I had no glory from a different point of view.
About half a mile from the last aid station I heard then saw an ambulance go past me in my direction. Two miles later I saw the aftermath of a rider laying on the shoulder of the highway. I did not get a good look nor did I want to. I still ride in fear of my recent bike accident in April and I do not want to look at what could be me on the shoulder of the highway. Presently, I have broken my fear, but deep inside me, deep, I am still afraid of the unknown that awaits me around the next corner.
Mile 49 - (Table Mesa) - Aid Station 5 - If I remember correctly this rest stop should be renamed the Sun Bee Stop As the name implies a bee theme aid station. The nicest station on the bike tour, but those damn high roller port-o-potties bothered me. ::grin:: Time was still on my side, but the seconds were ticking away.
Mile 53 - I was still keeping a radical pace - 19 to 28 mph - even up a small accent. As I crested the hill I felt the hot wind blowing directly against me and my Motobecane. A couple of miles later I ran across, literally, the first of the annoying rumble strips. Running over a rumble strip on my bike is very different from riding over one with my car. I thought I would be able to avoid them, but the problem was I still pinging them riders out of the ballpark. Every time I had to pass a rider I had to ride over those rumblers.
Mile 60 - The bottom of the long decent from Aid Station 4. I was beginning to tire. Time was getting short and I did not know how much of a climb or how far Canon City was. Oh, I almost forgot, I almost ran down a channel 13 news camera person. I was pedaling like a bat out of hell coming down and roughly around mile 58 I saw the news van and camera setup. ::smiling:: Me being me I had to look good for the camera. =) ::laughing:: I was using a tandem and we both were coming up on the camera and another rider. I wanted to shine. I wanted the spotlight! ::smug look:: Then, the tandem made their move and I was behind them with no chance to get on camera with us rapidly closing the distance between us. ::grimacing:: With the tandem making their move and me a few inches behind them, I made my move. I was able to ride out further into the road and said c-ya to the tandem ::an oh yeah look:: Ten yards from the camera I was in front and I was about to have an accident with that camera. The tandem was not clear of the rider we were both passing and I was in the middle of the road passing the tandem and the other rider. ::nodding head no:: The hell if I was going to back down! I reached deep down and found the strength to pedal harder and faster and barely avoided getting on TV literally. ::laughing:: Yes, I can still shine and be arrogant and live with myself. I wish I could have seen me - Coming down a hill, passing a tandem and the look of determination with Watto on the top of my helmet. Big ego booster.
Mile 72 - (Florence, CO) - Lunch stop - 10:45 AM - I was hungry, but more importantly, noon was knocking on the front door. I knew from the other riders that from this lunch stop to Canon City was all uphill. I did not know how steep the hill climb would be, but I gave myself an hour. I was so close I did want to jeopardize my chance of not doing a second century. I grabbed a potato with bacon bits and butter and invited myself to one of the benches in the park. I met a rider who did this ride last year and he told me, us, of the wall coming up from the backside of the Royal Gorge. I also met a girl who had sultry eyes. ::rolling eyes:: Yes, I am gaga for sultry eyes. ::laughing:: She was also very good looking, nice tan, oops... well you readers get the idea. I was smitten. I made any excuse to talk to her so she could look at me. I still had my Oakleys on, but she did not mind. Sun was bright and not as if she was smitten with me.
11:00 AM - I did not want to go. I really enjoyed talking to her ::shaking head no:: Nope no name. I could have asked, but... So, I had to leave. I was going to go to the bathroom, but the line to the port-o-potties was long and time was of the essence. I got onto my bike and left the park. Just as I was leaving I saw my tandem from yesterday. Yes, Rider 1609 and 1610. What are the odds on seeing them again. I slowed down a bit and said thank you for yesterday. They both said welcome and we were off just like yesterday.
Almost.
For about three miles we talked and caught up on what each of us did the past day. I told them about my century yesterday. They told me after the chain fell off they had major bike problems throughout the day. My tandem was just trying to finish today without any problems. Soon, they took off and that was the last of them I ever saw.
Mile 72 (Canon City) - I made the cutoff! Onto Highway 50 and the time was 11:20. woo-bingo. I had forty minutes to spare. I was getting close to my destiny. I came upon a railroad crossing and when I crossed the tracks I hit the tracks pretty rough, but still riding. As I neared the Aid Station 8 my front tire was practically flat. I pumped the tire up and then made a b-line to the sports drink table. I stretched a bit then headed back to my bike. I felt the front tire and she was losing air. How fast I did not know. I did not want to waste time changing the tire so I pumped the tire up and left for the Gorge and the wall
Between mile 72 and mile 79 there was a 1000 ft elevation climb. At the time, I saw a map of the elevation gain and basically hoo hah. My concern of the climb was very little, but my front tire was. Yes, I was losing air and the tire was getting flat. The only way to get up this hill without getting off my bike was to stay on my bike regardless. I said this once and I will say it again - I will not get off my bike on a hill climb. Memories of Heartbreak Hill (The Santa Fe Century) still linger. I had to stay seated so that most of the weight was on my back tire. Oh yes, I worked my quads. ::wink wink:: but, as if I needed to. Riding up the hill, I saw other riders coming down the hill. I thought there was another tour going on, but then I realize the riders were returning from the Gorge. I could not wait for me to pedal down the mountain.
Mile 79 - (Water station) - Top of the hill. Yes, my tire was flat again. I grabbed some water, but warm water. I had depleted all my water bottles coming up the hill. Yes, all gone. I pumped up the tire and proceeded to the entrance of the Royal Gorge. I biked right pass the entrance. Nope, not through the entrance. Apparently, I, we, were going in the back way to the Royal Gorge.
Mile 83 - (Parkridge) - Aid station 10 - I gave in to my front tire. I had to change the front tire. I waited in line for about 15 minutes and then I saw the man. The man being the bike repair guy. He took a look at my bike and proceeded to tell me a Motobecane story. I listened with both ears or to put to put it bluntly, I listened to this guy more than I listen to the women I date. ::laughing:: OK, maybe not that extreme. The repair guy had heard a story from another biker saying that he bought a new Motobecane rode bike. I said "no shit". The repair guy said "no shit" and we both laughed. He did not argue with the gut, but just let him continue with the story. Sometimes, it is better to let them finish the story rather than contradict them. Long story short, Motobecane road bikes have not been made since the eighties.
Before leaving the Aid Station, I gave the bike repair guy a tip for beer and I walked over to the table ::chest out and walking tall:: and asked for my century pin. Hoo-hah. I showed them my bib, which was marked off with century rider from early this morning when I took the century option. Tis a beautiful pin and I love this reward. I asked another rider how far to The Wall and said was only a couple of miles. I ate some fig newtons and got mentally ready for the challenge.
Sidetrack a bit... All day I have been hearing about The Wall and how many riders walk their bikes to the top. I was worried, but not afraid. The Wall is a steep climb from the back of the Royal Gorge. From all the stories I heard - basically I heard you will get off your bike and walk to the top. I certainly did not want to walk. Once bitten, twice shy. That is defeat for me to walk to the top of a hill with my bike. The Wall was not going to forget me ::smiling:: when this day is over.
Mile 88 - (The Wall) - A water station in the middle of the Wall Climb?!? I certainly could not stop. Other people were, but not even if you paid me to stop would I stop. I was maybe 400 ft into the climb and yes the climb was steep, but I was still going. I saw a volunteer say good job and I replied "so that's it?!" He said no, but the worst was over.
Still on the bike and another volunteer said halfway to the top. Not what I wanted to hear, but at least I knew. Meanwhile, I saw the riders walking their bikes to the top. I was the only one on my bike still pedaling, as far as I could see in front of me and behind me. I was starting to break a sweat, but no plans of wiping the sweat off. About 400 ft from the top another volunteer told me. Almost there and I was getting tired. I had a very short, steep incline at the very end, but nevertheless I took the last incline with pride.
Mile 90 - Top of The Wall - Oh yes and I knew I was da Man! I did not look back at the top for other riders coming up. I already knew who was the rider on that climb ::beaming:: I did The Wall and I then coasted a bit to the Royal Gorge. One of the best sights I have seen this summer was coming up to the Royal Gorge on a bike. The last time I have been to the Gorge was maybe the mid-early eighties. I got off my bike before going across the Gorge and went to the nearest place to get a Coke. I got a large Coke and glug glug the Coke. Then, a volunteer spotted me and said thank you for riding the MS 150. I said thanks. I really did not know what to say. I went back to my bike, took a few pictures, then rode across the bridge. Oh, before the bridge, I also got a pin saying - I did the bridge. Another nice pin.
The rest is history. I went through the front entrance of the Royal Gorge and then went down the hill I climbed sitting down on my ass. What a feeling! A sweet decent into Canon City. I pedaled through the streets and crossed the finish line at Mile 104. Eight hours and four minutes later. Back to fucking back century's. 205 miles in two days. I do have the will. Oh, believe me that I was feeling very good of myself. Very good. With The Courage Classic in six days I was ready. At the finish line I got a medal. Not as nice as The Courage Classic medal, but nice. I took a shower, got my meal, then boarded a bus back to Highlands Ranch. I was looking forward to wearing my new pins tomorrow all day and, of course, strut my stuff. ::huge smile::
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Epilogue
Well, I hope you have enjoyed another trip with me and my Motobecane. I have a couple or a few more stories then, I will once again go into hibernation. Unfortunately, The Courage Classic Story 2000 will only be available with any donation you contribute (Made payable to The Children's Hospital). How much you donate is your choice. (send to me: PO Box 512, CastleRock, CO 80104 - deadline Aug 15). I am sure you will not be disappointed. Other than that the MS 150 was very fun for me and I really enjoyed myself much more than I thought I would. Just remember another thing about me - You may know someone who is "greatness". Or maybe you were standing/sittting next to "greatness" and never knew. ::wink:: A bold statement, but "greatness" I currently am!
P.S. The MS150 should be renamed the MS200 ::smug look:: hoo-hah.
w-i-t-h-u-t-m-o-s-t-s-i-n-c-e-r-i-t-y
Daryl
aka CalSeti
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
