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AlaninTX
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 6582
Location: Austin, Texas
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 Posted: 04/25/04 - 18:05 Post subject: Hill Country AIDS Ride Report
This report will be much shorter than I imagined back in Febuary when I started training. The ride was to be a two-day event, 65 miles each day.
However, the weather did not cooperate. Saturday it just poured rain. They finally cancelled the ride as the lightening was scary, the rain coming down hard and all the many low water crossings were at flood stage.
So today we rode an abbreviated 50 mile route. The low water crossings were managable, but most of the day was spent riding in a misty rain. I can tell I gained alot of fitness on the bike because I rode the 50 miles in 3 hrs and 5 mins--which is some kind of record of some sort for me. I just wanted to get out of the mist because it was pissing me off.
Only one real thing of note happened. Going up the last big, long climb my bike felt mushy underneath me and I couldn't generate any speed even when I stood up. About half way up I decided I had a flat. I get off the bike--and the tires are just fine  . It seems the problem was with the bike's engine.
This was a pretty disappointing ride, to tell the truth. While I was happy with my effort over 50 miles I had trained pretty hard, doing a few back to back weekend rides of 50 and 60 miles, hill repeats, lots of spin classes, etc. For me, the ride today was fairly easy (well, if I forget the whole "I must have a flat" episode).
But what I did get out of it was a many things. I have a good degree of fitness, learned I love riding the bike, I now feel very comfortable on my bike. So the training was the payoff, not so much the ride itself.
Guess I will find a century ride and give that a whirl sometime this summer.
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Cappy
Excelent
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Joined: 16 May 2002
Posts: 27368
Location: Spreadsheetylvania
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Posted: 04/25/04 - 18:32 Post subject:
You have now have 2 metric centuries under your belt. Congrats on your ride for a worthy cause
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16218
Location: unknown zone
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Posted: 04/25/04 - 19:43 Post subject: Re: Hill Country AIDS Ride Report
| AlaninTX wrote: |
But what I did get out of it was a many things. I have a good degree of fitness, learned I love riding the bike, I now feel very comfortable on my bike. So the training was the payoff, not so much the ride itself.
Guess I will find a century ride and give that a whirl sometime this summer. |
congratulations alan. your training has really paid off.
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elkid
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Joined: 18 Nov 2002
Posts: 8353
Location: hiding out in Philly
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Posted: 04/25/04 - 20:56 Post subject: Re: Hill Country AIDS Ride Report
| AlaninTX wrote: | | So the training was the payoff, not so much the ride itself. |
True, true. I'm sorry you were cheated out of the race you wanted, but your time is very impressive!
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robp
Pyromaniac
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Joined: 26 Jul 2002
Posts: 16242
Location: Waiting in line at the beer store...
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Posted: 04/26/04 - 07:44 Post subject:
Nice report Alan.
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TriBob
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Posted: 04/26/04 - 10:49 Post subject:
It is the journey that counts and you can't control nature.
Good ride on a postponed event.
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purple hayes
Frightened Inmate #2
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 14462
Location: ON YOUR LEFT!
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Posted: 04/26/04 - 12:10 Post subject: Re: Hill Country AIDS Ride Report
| AlaninTX wrote: | | Going up the last big, long climb my bike felt mushy underneath me and I couldn't generate any speed even when I stood up. About half way up I decided I had a flat. I get off the bike--and the tires are just fine . It seems the problem was with the bike's engine. |
You don't know how many times I've looked down and back, thinking I had a flat only to find out it was the engine. You're not alone.
Congrats on the ride!
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genie
Master of Prissface
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Joined: 14 May 2002
Posts: 16194
Location: Finding serenity one day at a time
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Posted: 04/26/04 - 12:11 Post subject:
| TriBob wrote: | It is the journey that counts and you can't control nature.
Good ride on a postponed event. |
 .....sounds like it was still a great learning experience! You know once you stop growing, it's all ovah. Way to go! 
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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Posted: 04/26/04 - 12:19 Post subject:
I thought of you lots this weekend as we had flood conditions  I'm sorry it wasn't better for you but I am very impressed at your 50 mile time! 
I hear there is a century that is a little on the warm side in Witchita Falls in August.... 
Congrats on a job well done. If nothing else, money raised for a great cause, and getting another runner turned onto biking.  to you.
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HYPERASHEL
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Joined: 18 Nov 2003
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Location: The South's Sauna, Atlanta
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Posted: 04/26/04 - 13:05 Post subject:
I saw the floods and hoped they were not near you. i guess i hoped in vain. Sorry about the rain. but look at it this way, you had horrible conditions and did so well, and for a good cause. if you can find a century ride with good weather you'll love it all the more and be able to use this experience as a motivator too.
to ya man.
PS. are you growing mildew yet?
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Floridaboiler
POTFH
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Joined: 18 May 2002
Posts: 11322
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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Posted: 04/28/04 - 05:35 Post subject:
Nice Job Alan!
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kattzoo
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Location: Happily at the back of the pack
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Posted: 04/28/04 - 17:55 Post subject:
Great job Alan! I'm impressed!!
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