Ride for Research 2009

This is now the 5th year that I have participated in the Ride For Research.

Many of you have supported my annual efforts with tremendous generosity and kind words of encouragement.

Perfect is the only description available for Sunday morning. The temperature was in the mid 50’s, the sky was blue, and there was just a wisp of a breeze.

I get very excited before this ride every year, no exceptions. I awoke from a fitful sleep early, VERY early -- 4:00 AM to be precise. I lay in bed moving through the all too familiar course in my mind. Seeing very clearly the woods by Walden Pond, the stop light at Route 2A, the Concord Courthouse, Boston Road, and on and on. I was definitely ready to ride. What a glorious day to be with members of my family and friends and acquaintances all working for a common goal.

Speaking of common goals, call it serendipity, but Thursday the Birmingham News feature article on the front page was a story about a breakthrough drug to treat brain tumors. You can read more about this here.

I forced myself to stay in bed and listen to the birds wake up until 4:30, at which point I got up, shaved and went downstairs to prepare my favorite pre-ride breakfast. A simple concoction of things designed to burn as fuel at different rates. Ok, it’s not that complicated, but it works for me. Oatmeal, brown sugar and raisins. One cup of oats, 1 ¾ cups of water, two tablespoons of brown sugar, and a fist full of raisins. There’s nothing better.

The night before I had packed my ride bag, checked my bike, pumped up the tires, and moved everything closer to the door. I was ready.

I was fortunate enough to be able to rent a Chevrolet HHR, which is the same vehicle I drive in Alabama. The HHR was selected because it is “bike friendly”. When it came time to buy a new car, I brought my bike with me, and if it could not fit in the back of the prospective vehicle without removing the front wheel it did not make the selection list. The HHR is perfect for me.

By now it is 6:30 in the morning. I have had a leisurely breakfast, juice and coffee, checked my email, looked over the course map, not that I need to, having done this ride so many times before.

My heart is already pumping a few beats faster, and no it’s not the caffeine and sugar I’ve just consumed, or is it?

I can’t take it any longer I walk into my mother’s room, kiss her good morning, and tell her I’ll see her by 8:30 at the Concord Courthouse. This is a feeding station for the riders and is 10 miles into the ride.

With all the training I’ve done, I can pretty much tell you where I will be at any moment along the ride. 8:20 Walden Pond, 8:30 Concord Courthouse -- you get the picture.

I arrived at the ride start location a little more than an hour before the start of the ride. I had time to visit with other riders, collect swag, and get further into the spirit of the ride. I also had to time to go to the check-in station and deliver some additional funds I had received. Volunteers gladly accepted these and offered me a map of the ride. I cheerfully declined, telling them this was not my first ride and that I knew the route pretty well unless it had changed. They confirmed it was the same route as previous years and was WELL marked.

My brother Larry showed up around 7:30 and checked in. Number 97 and 98 were ready to ride. Our sister Martha would be doing the 25-mile ride and would show up a little later.

I pulled my bike out of the car, double-checked the tire pressure, and started riding around the parking lot loosening up the legs for a quick start. Five minutes before the ride, folks were lining up and I headed toward the start. I shifted gears to double-check things and could feel the deraileur cable slip free, and all of a sudden I had a panic. I made a bee-line for the mechanics’ tent, a seasoned wrench saw me coming and knew something was amiss. We put the bike up on the stand (3 minutes to ride start) quickly diagnosed that the cable bolt on the rear derailuer had come loose and in seconds we were back in action. Crisis averted.

Now I just had to nose my way to the front of the crowd. I met up with Larry, we wished each other luck, and then the ride was on. I moved to the front quickly and found a couple of other riders who seemed to share my agenda. We were off and moving. My goal was to complete the 50-mile ride in 2 hours and 30 minutes. This meant that I needed to average 20 miles per hour for the entire 50 miles. I told my new companions I would peel off the lead at the Concord Courthouse for a picture with my mother. My plan was to meet up with my friend Jack Shroeder at the Courthouse, and we would have a tactical ride, drafting each other and maintaining a good overall speed. I got to the Courthouse, had my picture moment, and no Jack. Ok, no problem, plan B was now in effect; Jack and I would meet up during the ride and work with each other as long as we could from that point on.

Mom making sandwiches at the Concord Courthouse

Concord

Trying to locate Jack.

Larry and Mom at Concord

John, Hannah, Martha & Joe in Concord

Now I had to work a little harder to try to catch some riders who were moving pretty quick. Back on the bike, head down and pedal. So that’s what I did. I got back on my bike and started riding for all I was worth. I was feeling good and moving very fast on this relatively flat section of the course. Head down push, push, push. I was making great time, frequently hitting 25 and 26 miles per hour, not falling below 22 for almost 5 miles….why hadn’t I caught up with some of the other riders…..OH NO. It wasn’t until I went through downtown Bedford on my way to Burlington that I realized I had missed a turn.

After I got over the shock of what I had just done, I gathered my wits and turned around to find my way back to the course. My detour had added 7.5 miles to the day’s outing. Once I was back on course, I was now passing folks who were out for a leisurely 50-mile ride. I pulled out my cell phone and called Larry. Asking him where he was, I told him breathlessly what I had done and that he would see me soon…..again. After a few miles I caught up with Larry on a hill, made a self-deprecating comment about what I had done. I was out of the saddle trying my best to salvage my time goal.

Now I realized immediately that the goal was out the window, but I was determined to make the most of my BONUS miles and the now extended tour of the suburbs of Boston. A few miles from the feed station at mile 27 (bonus miles not included), I got a text from Jack. He agreed to wait for me, and we would attack the remainder of the ride drafting each other, catching everyone we could.

I got to the feed station pulling in at full speed. I grabbed a couple of cups of Gatorade and a half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and the final sprint was on. Jack is a great rider, and I took full advantage of his skills as we pulled each other through the rest of the course.

Well, when all was said and done I had pedaled 57.53 miles in 2 hours 57 minutes and 23 seconds. My high speed was 34.7 (no big hills on this course) and my average speed was 19.4 miles per hour.

Stepping off the bike at the finish.

Jack and Russ enjoying the day.

Larry crossing the finish with Lina and Mom cheering and taking pictures.

Martha pushing hard for the last few feet before the finish line.

Now to those of you who have been following my rides the last couple of weeks, you will remember that I did the “Three State, Three Mountain” century (100 miles). On that ride you will recall I also missed a turn because I had my head down and was pushing hard. Well, that miss shaved about 8 miles OFF the ride. Yesterday’s miss ADDED 7.5 miles to the ride, so in the eyes of the ride gods, I’m getting close to even (I hope).

Most importantly, YOU helped me raise over $5,300 for brain tumor research. I am grateful to everyone who had a hand in this effort. If you have not had the chance to make a contribution, it’s not too late.

Thanks again, everyone. With all the money we have raised, it’s only fitting that we add a few miles to the effort!!!

Training for next year’s ride begins today.

PS…Santa, I want a personal GPS for Christmas.