This was my biggest challenge in cycling to date. We rolled at 4 in the morning in pitch dark to tackle 5 passes that would encompass 129 miles and 15,000' of climbing. It was cooler than I expected as we headed out towards Monitor (our first pass). It was an eerie experience to ride unknown roads with only a dim bike light and shadows.
Riding in the dark is odd but climbing in it is *bizarre*. It messes with your mind. The flashing red tail lights from the cyclists ahead is the only gauge you have of what might be ahead. You know you are climbing because by now...you are already in your granny gear! You can't anticipate anything...you just keep pushing forward. At times it felt like I was riding on flat tires because of the percentage of grade I couldn't see.
Watching the sunrise come up while we rode Monitor was a spectacular sight...one of the highlights of the day! The first and second passes were tougher than I had been told or anticipated. However, the descents were amazing! Willie and I were in complete sycronicity...another memorable experience for me.
As we headed towards Ebbett's (our third pass), the weather began to warm up quickly. My legs were feeling worked but knowing I had ridden Ebbett's in the pass gave me the confidence to not second guess anything. With the heat increasing I was going through my water bottles quicker than I had planned...which caused me to make an additional water stop. On tired legs, the front side of Ebbett's was longer and steeper than I had remembered. My mental process was to be present and take one pass at a time.
I rolled up and over Ebbett's with my 3rd sticker earned! The SAG stop at the bottom was the first time I felt I needed a brief break to do more than fill my water bottles. I left out of there with my fourth sticker and part of my ride group. I was going the *speed of slow* up the 4th pass. This was the hottest part of the ride so far, with very little breeze or shade.
Everyone on our team was struggling with lows and illness...including myself. We were trained that this would be a possibility on event day. With determination and tenacity they impressed me as they pushed through it all and continued on with Carson in their sights. Quitting was not a choice any of us were going to make willingly. That's one of the benefits of being part of a team, is knowing we are all there to help and encourage...especially during the lows. I was thankful for everyone of the cheers and encouraging words that was shared throughout the day.
I reached the top of Ebbett's about 2:40...now way off my personal ride schedule. I knew it would be next to impossible to make the Woodford's time cut off. The descent off the front is technical and a bad cycling incident caused more of a delay in addition to traversing ambulances that were heading up the hill. Didn't get to the lunch stop at the bottom of the hill until 3:30...quitting still wasn't an option!
The cutoff time was 4:00 and in spite of pushing it through headwinds...that was the time that I hit downtown Markleeville. 6 miles short of making it...today was not my day to get that 5th sticker. I was disappointed but not upset for me. I knew I did everything I could and never gave up. It just wasn't my day for 5.
I had an amazing day and experience...no regrets! I made the decisions I needed to with the cards I was dealt for the day. Another highlight was being at the finish line to cheer in most of my team as they finish their amazing journey through 5 passes of the Death Ride. I'm so proud of them all...Go Team!
Next time...5 stickers!
