Specialized Spring Classic Challenge - Strava

I was alerted to this challenge by my employers at Knapp's Cyclery.  They explained that the goal was to ride 1,319 kilometers (818 miles) in the month of April.  This would represent the cumulative distance of the five professional bike races taking place in Europe during this same time period.  Right off I stated that I would likely log 500 more miles in April than the challenge called for.  It seemed like a fun idea to sign up.  When I logged on to the Strava site I was awestruck to see that there were 28,000 riders participating in the month long challenge.

On April 1st I begin downloading my Garmin 800 to Strava at the end of each day of riding.  I noticed that the participants were ranked by the total number of kilometers ridden.  This added a competitive element above and beyond the initial goal.  After three days I was ranked 145th out of all the riders.  I was surprised to see that participants were from all over the world, the current leader residing in Australia.  The United States had 9,000 riders of which I was ranked 45th.  With my competitive nature kicking in I began plotting how I would get in extra distance to move my number up. I started adding more miles to my commuting by riding more circuitous routes, averaging fifty miles per day on work days.  I would shoot for one-hundred or more on my days off.  I rode in this manner for the first eleven days of April before my body demanded a rest day.

As the month went on I sort of adapted to the increase, which was one-hundred miles per-week more than my normal.  The average went from 300 hundred to 400 hundred weekly just like that.  I was feeling pretty tired most of the time, but I had learned how to cope with it.  Deep down I was afraid of getting sick or injured.  When I rode over a bump and felt my calve muscle knot up I thought that would be it.   Miraculously, by virtue of icing it twice a day and wearing compression socks when off the bike it steadily improved without rest.

Besides the Strava challenge I had other things planned for the month like the hilly Lake Nockamixon 200k and the vertically challenging Princeton 300k.  In a pure mileage contest heavy climbing is a dumb idea, but if I had any sense I wouldn't be riding a fixed-gear.  I did every ride as planned.

The final week was the hardest. I needed two rest days, but still kept the same average daily miles.  The final day of the month I rode just thirty-two miles to bring my total for April to 1703 miles.  I finished the challenge in 49th place, world-wide, and 16th in the United States.  Not too bad for a fixie. 

Central Florida 400k - Hilly, Hot and Fixed

 One grows weary of the winter in New Jersey.  By the middle of March there is a strong yearning for a change from the wind driven cold air which has become the routine.  Keeping double-century fit in this environment is no easy chore.  Besides desire and determination an expensive collection of winter riding gear is required.  All the while, a mere 1,000 miles to the south, folks are enjoying high temperatures of eighty degrees with bright sunshine.  WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?  That is the question that reverberates through my brain as I ride a 200k permanent on a day in which the high temperature never rises above the freezing point.  Desperately needing a break I make the decision to enter the Central Florida 400k held in Eustis, just south of Orlando.  I previously attended the ride in 2011 and remembered it as enjoyable (blog report March 2011).

At 5am our group of 30 riders starts out from the front of the Comfort Inn for the first leg of 56 miles.  It's a cool 45 degrees with a light breeze.  The group quickly splinters with about six fast riders pulling ahead at a very brisk pace.  I settle in with the second group of about eight riders.  Some rolling hills present themselves early on as does one very steep kicker named Thrill Hill Road.  I maintain pace with the group, on my fixed-gear, by sprinting to the top ahead of everyone only to be re-joined on the downside.  I spend a lot of time at the front pulling through an increasing head wind.  We pick up a couple of riders who were dropped by the lead group.  The first glimpses of daylight begin just after 7am.  It is sometime later before the warming effect of the sun is noticed.  The skies are cloudless which will make way for a very warm afternoon.  By the time we reach the control the temperature has risen dramatically.  I spend time removing a layer of clothing and making a quick adjustment to the bike.  The group I was riding with departs a few minutes before me.

I leave the control alone headed for the Ferndale Preserve at mile 113.  The force of the wind is felt a bit more at this point.  Fortunately, I have lots of practice pushing through it on my own.  The terrain on this section is pretty mild so far.  However, from prior experience I know it gets a lot tougher.  The temperature keeps creeping up, along with the wind.  Twenty miles into it I stop at a store to top up fluids.  It's a long way to the control and there is nothing in between if this opportunity were passed.  As I head out another rider with the same idea pulls in.  I maintain a steady clip, but pass no one and no one passes me.  The real hilly stuff arrives with the appearance of Buckhill Road, a roller coaster with several good lumps.  I hit my highest speed of the ride, thirty-seven, on one of the downhills of Buckhill.  Legs spinning furiously as the road pitches back up for the third time scrubbing off all my momentum requiring another tiring grind to the top.  Shortly after finishing that torturous stretch of road I am faced with the single most significant climb up Sugarloaf Mountain.  I start to feel very hot on the way up and check the Garmin to see the temperature has risen to ninety degrees.  Once done with the mountain a more moderate four miles delivers me to the control.  I arrive to see everyone I was riding with earlier gathered around the food area.  My needs are minimal at this point.  I top up my fluids and head out without any further delay.  I munch on a Clif Bar as I pedal away.  I look back to see no one following me out.  I reason that a single rider on a fixed-gear will likely be caught by a large group of riders with gears.

After just a few miles Buckhill Road is repeated in the opposite direction.  It feels about the same as the other way.  After some milder miles on county roads I am directed onto a bicycle trail which is followed for 22 miles.  The West Orange Trail is a wide recreational path which is mostly flat with some shade.  It passes through the towns of Wintergarden and Apopka.  It's not particularly crowded and I am able to make good time through it.  About half way through I see a rider, who appears to be on the brevet, fixing a flat.  I ask if everything is okay and am assured that it is.  I continue to the exit of trail.  Back on regular roads there are ten miles of somewhat hilly terrain to be covered before the control.  I manage a good pace with the help of some favorable wind and arrive at the Citgo Mart in Tangerine, Florida.  I'm refilling my water bottles when the guy who was fixing the flat comes in.  We chat for a minute.  I tell him I'm ready to go and that he should be able to catch me on this next leg.  As I pull out to the road a large group is on the way in.  Again, I imagine they will catch me before the next control.

The route does a lot of doubling back on itself, sort of going around in circles.  I notice that some of the roads and intersections I've been on before.  Mostly going the opposite way.  I am directed back to Sugarloaf Mountain for a climb up from the other direction.  It's a bit shorter and steeper this way, but presents no problem.  When not climbing one of the bigger hills the route is mostly rolling.  I'm able to maintain a pretty good rhythm on these type of hills.  There is no sign of anyone coming up from behind, which I find surprising.  Daylight begins to run out necessitating a stop for night gear.  I use the sidewalk where there is a fence to lean my bike against.  It takes about five minutes before I'm underway again.  Given the clear skies all day I expect the air will cool considerably with night fall.  There is one control before the finish at mile 221.  I'm making a bee line for it.  At this point I don't want any riders catching me.  I've ridden most of the day alone, I am happy to finish it that way.  With full darkness the bottoms of hills are cold spots where I feel quite chilled.  Climbing up to the top of hills feels warm and I relish it.  I arrive at the control, in Mascotter, Fl, realizing I need to add a layer of clothes as well as my long fingered gloves.  I take a bit more time than at other controls and two groups of riders arrive while I'm there.  By the time I depart I estimate there are about a dozen milling about.  There are thirty miles to the finish.

The first few miles feel a bit chilly despite the additional clothes.  Soon enough my internal body heat rises enough to make me comfortable.  In keeping with the idea that I don't want anyone catching me I amp it up a bit.  The rollers continue and I am in tune with them.  There are some long stretches of six to eight miles on dark lonely roads.  I particularly enjoy this type of isolation when night riding.  For me these moments are the highlight of the ride.  Not that I don't like being around people, but sometimes it's fun to feel like the only one on the planet for a little while.  I keep my pace and occasionally look back for bicycle head lamps only to see more darkness.  My Garmin occasionally chirps reminding me of upcoming turns.  Everything flows perfectly, almost effortlessly.  When the rural setting gives way to a more suburban area I am only a few miles from the end.   I give what I have left in my legs to cover the remaining distance quickly.  In short order I am at the front of the hotel.  I ride through the automatic opening doors into the lobby where the organizer, RBA Paul Rozelle, and a few riders are waiting.  Paul is indeed surprised to see me this early.  He tells me that there are lots of good riders behind me and only five have finished so far.  My time is 19 hours and 22 minutes.  I eat two slices of pizza before any other finishers arrive.  Just maybe I'm starting to get the hang of this fixed-gear thing.

Epilouge:

A travel event is a thing to be treasured.  Riding a familiar distance in a not so familiar venue heightens the experience for me.  Although, I rode this 400k mostly alone I was never bored as things were so different.  The weather, the scenery and most everything about the Central Florida region was not what I am used to.  I've done my share of traveling around to brevets and have relished the nuances of the different regions.   I marvel at the ability of RBA's around the country to come up with routes that are safe, interesting and unique.  Typically, the course design will intentionally feature some of the most interesting terrain and scenery a particular region has to offer.  The Florida route passed by orange groves with ripe fruit still on the trees.  There were pristine lakes with steam coming off the water in the early morning hours.  The beautifully maintained West Orange Trail is a testament to the quality of life in the area.  It is a further testament to the well being of randonneuring in Florida when thirty riders line up on a chilly March morning to undertake a 400k.  It was worth the effort to travel there and I would do so again without hesitation.  Thanks to RBA Paul Rozelle and his crew of volunteers for a great route and a well organized ride.
 

Boo-ya!

 

       

   

Reflecting on 2012 - The Fixie Year!

On December 19, while commuting to work, I unceremoniously rolled past the 14,000 mile mark for the year.  Just one mile later I would surpass my highest annual mileage total ever, which was set last year at 14,001 road miles.  The one difference this year is that every mile was ridden on a fixed-gear bike.  There was not a single gear shift nor even a second of coasting anywhere along the way.  Two weeks later, upon arriving home from work, on a chilly New Year's Eve, I would finish the year with 14,352 miles.

As I look back on the experience I'm not sure exactly how to feel about it.  I wasn't awed by the accomplishment, it was just another year of riding a lot.  I've had a number of those years. This didn't really feel any different.  It was like becoming a vegetarian, which I did many years ago.  I never missed the meat and I didn't really miss the gears.  But, if asked why I made the choice the only answer I have is that it raised the level of difficulty, presenting a greater challenge.

In reality, the fixie year was kind of a fluke.  Near the end of  2011 I was headed to Arkansas for a couple of weeks to visit with family.  I decided to take a bike with me. I selected the fixed-gear for it's low maintenance and simplicity.  Also, reasoning it would be great off-season training.  Unforeseen circumstances had me staying in Arkansas for the better part of four months.  I spent a lot of time slogging that bike up and down the Ozark Mountains.  I even traveled to nearby Missouri and Tennessee to sample the riding there.  It was all hilly terrain, but I was managing quite well without gears.  When I set a 200k PR on a hilly Missouri brevet I thought maybe I should just stick with this bike for awhile.  In early April I rode a pretty wet 300k, also in Missouri. That was followed by a 400k on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Tennessee. That represented my longest fixed-gear ride ever.  By the time I arrived home in May I was committed to finishing 2012 as it was started.  The geared bikes in my garage were gathering dust, but I wasn't changing horses anytime soon.

Back in familiar territory the brevet season was at full boil.  I participated in an early May point-to-point fleche from New York City to Westfield, Mass.  Our team of four riders, The Shiftless Vagabonds, were all on fixed-gear.  I rode a second 300k and 400k, locally in New Jersey.  At some point I realized I had three of the four components to the Cyclos Montagardes R-80 recognition.  The R-80 is a full brevet series with all rides completed within 80% of the time limit.  The 600k was the missing link.  To meet the mark I would need to complete the ride in under 32 hours.  For me that would require a straight through effort with no allowance for sleep.  The New Jersey East Creek 600k fit the criteria.  I would end up finishing the ride in 31 hours and 17 minutes.  That event also represented my 10th brevet series and brought me the Ultra Randonneur Award.  Yet, there was still more to accomplish as the Mondial and K-Hound awards were both in my sights for 2012.  I was constantly riding permanents of 100k and 200k distances to rack up the RUSA kilometers.  The numbers were looking good, but at some point I began to feel burned out.  All the riding, combined with working full time in a very busy bike shop (Knapp's Cyclery) was making the activity feel like a bit of a chore.  I needed a fresh perspective to keep things interesting.

Cross-State Record 4hrs 27min

 I decided to take a look at what the UMCA had to offer.  The cross-state record challenge had appeal.  I found a rather soft record close to home in New Jersey.  I believed I stood a good chance of breaking it, even with the limitation of the fixie.  With the help of the bike shop I built up a new Specialized Langster aluminum frame fixed-gear.  All the components selected were light weight, designed for speed and durability.  As the crowning touch I ordered  a set of Roval 45 carbon wheels.  While getting the bike together I trained relentlessly.  Some of my commutes turned into time trials, with me using the Garmin virtual partner to race against.  On top of everything I needed to submit all the UMCA paperwork, design my route, find a fellow member to officiate, ready a support vehicle, and find a crew.  It all took much effort and energy.  It turned out to be the refreshing change of pace I was seeking.  On September 9th I broke the existing UMCA record for crossing New Jersey from East to West by over an hour and a half.  I even got to spend the day with family as my wife and son volunteered as the crew.  Fellow randonneur and UMCA member David Eisenberg officiated the record.

Specialized Langster - The Fast Fixie

After the UMCA event I resumed the kilometer counting with renewed enthusiasm.  Sometime in October I hit the required 10,000 for entry to the K-Hound Club.  I was just one 600k short of having a second SR Series for the year.  Late season 600's are non-existent in the north-east.  If I wanted it I would have to travel.  Just prior to Thanksgiving my friend Paul and I went to Texas to participate in a 600k hosted by the Lone Star Randonneurs.  It was the perfect way to end the season with Paul acquiring the Ultra-Randonneur and a second series.  My finish earned me my 11th series and the Mondial.

I would still ride five permanents in the month of December, more out of habit than any other reason.  Despite having done hundreds of them, sometimes riding the same routes many times over, I still take pleasure in it.  The highlight of December was our NJ Randonneur holiday ride and celebration with 14 local riders clipping in for a 100k permanent.  At the conclusion of the ride we all ate, drank and socialized.  For all the lonely solo miles I've done the chance to mix with a group of friends is a solid-gold event.  I hope to do more of that in 2013.

Epilouge:

The beginning of a New Year is a mixed blessing.  All that has been accomplished the prior year is erased. The goal setting, planning, and self-motivating has to begin all over again.  I awoke on New Years Day with zero miles.  Fortunately, that would only last a few hours before the first miles and kilometers of the year began accumulating.  There is much to decide about 2013.  Should the fixed-gear only mode continue?  I can only say that it will initially, but, I'm not sure about the entire year.  I do find myself gazing fondly at the carbon fiber multi-gear bikes which are neatly lined up at the bike shop.  I can't promise I won't give in to the temptation and end up with one of them.  Also, the much neglected tandem that sits in my garage is silently beckoning to me.  I am thinking I would like to find a stoker to share some of the adventures.  I could stand to cut back a little on the solo riding. 

Although I've been cycling since 1984 I only have accurate records from 2006 until present.  In the past seven years I have logged 72,100 outdoor road miles.  I didn't know the number for sure until I totaled it all up on January 1st.  Should the last two years be an indication of future mileage I will then hit 100,000 miles in two more years. That will be the only goal I will set right now.  The rest of them will come along as the season approaches.  For now I need to ponder things. 

Stay tuned!

Boo-ya!

 

Lone Star Randonneurs 600k - Italy, Texas

As the season in the northeast grinds to a halt I search feverishly for events to complete my yearly goals.  Fortunately, the highly motivated K-hounds in the great state of Texas keep their long rides going up until Thanksgiving.  A full series of brevets, including a 600k,  are held in late November starting in the small town of Italy.  Finishing the 600k would net me a second brevet series and the Mondial award for 40,000 lifetime RUSA kilometers.  My friend Paul needed a long ride for the Ultimate Randonneur award and a double series.  He agreed to join me.

Italy, TX

A truck stop with a motel on top and a couple of fast food restaurants is the official starting point.  The accommodations are not luxurious, but they are clean and very adequate for our needs.  Arriving on Friday night we meet many of the local group for dinner at the Subway.  The Lone Star Randonneurs are a friendly bunch.  We have a good time conversing with them about all things Rando.  They have many big achievers including Dan and Gary who have both completed over 100,000 kilometers of RUSA brevets and permanents.  After spending a couple of hours we reluctantly move on to the motel to get some sleep for the 7am start.

LSR 600k Day One

It's a chilly morning (40F) as we take out from the parking area with fourteen riders, eleven of us on the 600k.  One rider doing the 400k and two on the 200k.  The 300k route would go unused today.   The group takes out very fast.  I look down to see we are clipping along at about 20mph on chip and seal road surface.  This is faster than I care to go this early in the ride, so, I back down some.  Paul agrees with the decision to let the pack go.  One other rider stays with us,  Matt from New Mexico, riding the 400k.  We are on the first of two out and back sections.  This one being 220 miles long.  At the conclusion of which we will be back at the motel.  The plan is to take some sleep before starting the second 153 mile out and back.

Dan Driscoll - RBA Dallas Region

The sun begins to warm things up.  There is minimal wind and the terrain is mild.  The only impediment is the ever present chip and seal road surface, which actually takes more energy to maintain a given speed than a smoother surface would.  The route consists primarily of Farm Roads.  These roads are designated as FM (Farm to Market) followed by a number.  The traffic is quite light so we are able to ride along chatting comfortably.  The first control is 28 miles out in Dawson.  Much of the main group is still there when we arrive.  Matt controls very quickly and leaves with a few of the local riders.  Paul and I depart some minutes later.

Paul and Matt - Day One

Navigation is fairly easy as we are on most roads for many miles.  En-route to the next control in Mexia we spend more than half of the miles on a single road, FM 638.  The day has become quite pleasant with mild temperatures, low wind, and lots of sunshine.  I begin to enjoy myself on this section.   While riding along we come across a huge bull on the side of the road.  I notice the creature is not contained by any fencing.  He is just loose eating grass at the shoulder of the road.  We give him a wide berth passing by on the far side of the road.  He pays us little mind and continues munching the grass.  I want to take a photo of him, but Paul says it might startle him into chasing us.  Not knowing whether a bull can outrun a bicycle I pass up on the photo.  Soon after we pull into the control.  A large number of riders are there including Matt.  We make quick work of it inviting Matt to join us on the next leg.  He departs with us to begin this 32 mile section to Jewett.

Leaving the control we navigate a couple of quick turns to get to FM 39 where we continue for thirty miles.  The terrain is mildly rolling with some longer upgrades of light gradient.  I've warmed up nicely and am able to pull us along at a good pace.  After a time Paul informs me that Matt has fallen back.  Given that we are on different rides, and will have to separate at some point anyway, we decide to continue at our pace, hoping we will see Matt again at the control.  The miles tick off efficiently on this section.  Before we know it we are at the turn off for the control at US-79.  The gas station/market is one mile up.  Again the main group of riders is there.  Most of them depart a minute or two before us, with one rider, John from Connecticut, lingering a bit longer.  John has done some of our New Jersey rides and recognized us.  We leave the control at the same time and fall into pace together.  There is no sign of Matt.

John - Day One

After backtracking on US-79 we turn north again on FM 39.  This is the single road used to the next control, which is Normangee, 28 miles away.  I take the front pulling John and Paul along.  The road surface seems smoother on this section.  I maintain a steady pace for the entire distance to the control.  We arrive in good time within a minute or two of the group in front.  Normangee is the turn-around point for day one at mile 110.  From here we will follow the same roads back to Italy and the motel.  We are ready to leave as Dan and the others are departing.  Dan takes the front and pulls us all back to the control in Jewett.  He is helping Janet from North Carolina get through her first 600k.  So far things are going very well.

The speed limit on a two lane Farm Road in rural Texas

We all leave the control together again and head back to the FM 39 going south.  We make good time, but Dan has to drop back a couple of times to pull Janet up to the group.  Eventually a gap opens and the group breaks apart.  Darkness comes upon us on FM 39 and with it the temperature quickly begins to drop.  The high for the day was near 70 degrees, but with the clear skies the heat will leave the earth rapidly.  We arrive in the town of Mexia, where there is a different control than on the outbound.  We negotiate our way through a rather busy downtown area to a hamburger place named "Whattaburger."  The small lead group is there.  Michael, one of the two recumbent riders on the ride is working on a flat.  The others appear to be waiting for him.  Shortly thereafter Dan, Janet and Vickie, the other recumbent rider, arrive as well.  I have a cup of coffee while waiting for Paul to mix up his magic potions which allow him to undertake long rides without solid food.  When we are ready to leave there are still some riders in the control.  Paul, John and I head back out no one else is ready.  The next control is Dawson which has a store that closes at 11pm.  The official closing time is later, but beyond 11pm there is no way to re-supply anything.  One would need to go the full 54 miles without opportunity to get food or water.  We should have no problem making it in time.

Making the push to Dawson

After only a couple of miles on busy US-171 John has a flat tire on the rear of his bike.  On the shoulder of the road, with high speed traffic buzzing by, Paul and I help him get it changed.  Dan and Janet pass by while we are stopped.  Once back underway it is a relief to turn off onto the quiet Farm Roads away from the traffic.  We have covered about 175 miles so far.  Day one will conclude at the motel at 220 miles.  The next day, although shorter in mileage will be much hillier.  Also, the word is that the weather prediction is for high winds.  Which for the outbound section will be unfavorable.  To make things worse the morning temperature will be sub-forty.  Getting some rest will be important to face the challenges of wind and cold in the morning.  The hills might actually be a plus.  The Farm Roads lead us the control in Dawson in plenty of time.  Everyone has made it before the store closing, which is good news.  Without spending too much time we head out for the final leg of the day.

After some miles on a somewhat busy State Highway 31 we are back on Farm Roads.  The temperature has steadily fallen.  I'm feeling pretty chilled.  Knowing we are knocking off the final miles to a hot shower and warm bed keeps me going.  Most of our time is spent on FM 667 which features the same chip and seal road surface as most of the other roads.  I've become somewhat conditioned to it and am no longer bothered by the vibration and reduced speed.  I rejoice when we reach the left turn which takes us through the small downtown area of Italy.  Our motel is just the other side of the Interstate.  Dan and Stephen are waiting for us at the finish to sign our brevet cards.  We agree to meet in the morning at 6am to start day two.  Meanwhile, for me it's food, shower and sleep, in that order.

LSR 600 - Day 2

The agreed  meeting place for our group to begin day two is conveniently at the McDonald's just beneath our motel.  I'm  having a bowl of oatmeal.  The temperature is a bit colder than the prior day's start.  John arrives and we talk about today's ride.  Mostly how to deal with the high wind predication.  Paul arrives just prior to our start time.  By 6am the group is gathered and nine riders take to the roads.  Starting out I feel the chip and seal road surface immediately.  I guess it will take some time to re-condition myself to it.  The pace this morning is considerably milder than the start of day one.  A few hours sleep does not erase the two-hundred and twenty miles already accumulated in one's legs.  After a few miles we see Matt coming at us at the end of his 400k.  I can't help but think it must have been a long, cold and lonely night for him out on the Texas Prairie.  I'm happy to know he made it safely with a few hours to spare.

Sun Rise on the prairie

As the sun begins to make an appearance so do the rolling hills.  I don't mind them, my only thought is to get warm.  The hills and the sun should help.  Although, the ever increasing wind does not.  Before there is much chance for the sun to do it's thing clouds roll in blocking the effect. The wind continues to increase as do the rollers.  The first control is in Wortham, a fifty-two mile first leg. To block out some of the misery I strictly focus on making it to there.  I mentally pretend that my ride will finish there. Which it will, for a brief time.  I then can re-focus on the next control.  But I don't have to think about that now.  I've just got to get to Wortham and all will be well.

Power Generating plant ahead

The group has split up somewhat.  Vickie, one the recumbent riders, held back waiting for two riders who started late.  Michael on the other recumbent has gone ahead, as did the tandem.  Dan and Janet are  more or less riding with the three of us.  Until the point that Dan asks us to go ahead.  He explains that Janet needs to climb the rollers more conservatively and it would be better if we split up.  We put a small gap on them, but they are not far behind.  I notice on one of the farm roads a speed limit sign of 70 miles per hour.  I am amazed that a two lane undivided road would be posted so high.  The cars and trucks fly by, but, they all give us plenty of room.  It is not an uncomfortable feeling.  Texans are by and large very courteous.  It's seems inherent in their culture.

Houses come with lots of open space around

 The rollers continue, the sun stays hidden by clouds, and the wind is ever increasing.  Despite it all we arrive at my finish line in Wortham in good time.  We take a bit longer than our usual 10 minute break.  I use the time to wrap my mind around the concept of riding a short 23 miles to the next control in Prairie Hill.  As an added mental incentive that will represent the half-way point for the day.  Every mile from there will be in the direction of Italy and the finish.  I'm practically smiling as we ride out.

There are only three roads involved with the next leg.  They all feature similar terrain and road surface, somewhat hilly and chip sealed.  Wide tires and cushy handlebar tape are good equipment in this part of Texas.  I'm happy I brought the fixie with the Specialized 25mm's and the Bar Phat tape.  I have had no issues other than moving along a little slower than preferred.

Paul with 'bent rider Michael ahead

The rhythm of the fixed-gear is a bit different on rolling terrain.  Both John and Paul are riding gears.  Every hill they are gearing down, spinning, while I am standing up, hammering to stay on top of my gear.  On the downside of the hill the geared bikes typically pass by.  John takes this to mean I am not cooperating very well riding along with them.  I overhear him commenting to Paul about it.  I try my best to explain my motives hoping he understands.  I don't mean to frustrate anyone, but I know of no other way to ride fixed.

As we near the control we see Gary and Charlie, the lead riders, heading back to Wortham.  Vicky on the recumbent, now riding alone, is not far behind them.  We arrive at the Sunmart in Prairie Hill, which is today's turn-around.  Stephen and Sharon with the tandem are there, as is Michael on the other recumbent.  I am being bothered by a case of hot-feet.  I purchase a bag of ice and sit outside with both feet resting on the cold plastic bag.  Since the day has warmed considerably it is not uncomfortable to be using the ice.  After a rather long break we head out as a group following the same roads back to Wortham.

Given the reversal of direction we now can enjoy some assistance from the wind.  It is noticeable as we work our way up the back side of the same hills.  The terrain feels flatter this way thanks to the invisible helping hand from the wind.  Combined with the comfortable temperature I am enjoying myself as much as it is possible for a person with three-hundred miles in their legs.  On the flat ground the geared bikes are at an advantage with the tailwind.  With just the one gear I have to spin faster to keep up.  No matter, as no one is complaining.  It is all good.  We arrive in Wortham having dwindled to just four of us.  The tandem along with Dan and Janet are slightly behind.

Janet on her way to first 600k finish

The final leg is fifty-two miles to the finish.  The cue sheet shows an optional stop at a store which is thirty six miles.  We decide we can make it there before resorting to night gear.  It is back to the all familiar Farm Roads for the next leg.  The wind has not deserted us.  The three of us move along quite well.  The miles tick off uneventfully as the sun is quickly on it's way down.  The skies are overcast further diminishing the light somewhat.  There is a question as to whether we can make the store before it's too dark to continue without night gear.  I maintain that we'll make it as there is still plenty of useable daylight with only five miles to go.  I'm actually happy about the cloud cover as that will help hold the earth's heat in after sunset keeping us warmer to the finish.  We pull in to the store just before 5pm which is sunset.  We have 16 miles to the finish.  Michael is already at the store.  We are expecting more riders, but no one comes in.  Since the store is slightly off the route we don't see them pass by.  The four of us depart together.  Most of the miles to the end are on FM-55.  We move along very well with John pulling the group much of the time.  We notice some bike tail lights way up in the distance.  After a few miles they seem a little closer and we can tell they are two bike riding together.  We ramp up the pace a bit and ever so slowly reel them closer.  It takes a long time before we are with them with John taking a ferocious final pull to bridge the gap.  The riders are Dan and Janet.  With about five miles to go we fall into pace with them.  It seems appropriate to finish together.  We ride and chat enjoying the pleasant night.  We pass through the small downtown of Italy and continue to the other side of the interstate. We make room for Janet, the first time 600k finisher, to move to the front.  She notices her husband waiting for her at the control and sprints right for him.  I remember the feeling of finishing that first long ride. What a blast!  With our brevet cards signed and surrendered we immediately look for food.  There is a pizza place across the street.  A group of us including Dan, Sharon, Mike and Stephen head over there.  We have a nice time eating and chatting like old friends.  Did I mention how nice this group of people are?     

Epilogue:

Dan sporting Texas Rando Stampede 1200k jersey

Anyone who has been riding brevets for a time is aware of The Lone Star Randonneurs.  Their group cranks out more RUSA kilometers, per person, than any other in the US.  They developed the K-Hound award as an incentive to get their members out riding more.  It is now offered nationwide to all RUSA members.  One qualifies by riding 10,000 kilometers, or more, of brevets and permanents, in a year.  It is not unusual for a few K-Hounds to ride double or triple the minimum number.  Which is referred to as "Double Dog" and "Triple Dog".  Also, it is common for LSR riders to complete five to nine Super Randonneur Series' in a single year.   They are highly committed to their goals, and extremely supportive of each other.  Dan Driscoll, the RBA for the region, delights in motivating others to reach higher levels.  He spent the entire ride ensuring that one rider made it through her first 600k successfully.  Another potential K-Hound in the making.        

PA 200k - The K-Hound Ride

Just past the middle of October my RUSA kilometer total reached an even 9800k.  Just 200k away from K-Hound status.  I'd ridden so many permanents lately that I had a hankering for a regular brevet.  As luck would have it the PA Randonneurs were hosting 200 and 150 kilometer rides on Saturday.  There is generally a good turn-out for their rides, and, I might even know some of the riders.  I informed the RBA, Tom Rosenbauer, I would be coming.  Remembering how hilly the PA rides are I checked the route profile only to have my stomach tighten when I saw the elevation gain to be over 10,000 feet.  Shortly after I received an e-mail from Tom confirming my entry and suggesting I bring low gears.  He was not aware that I've been only riding fixed-gear this year.  I felt committed to the ride but could not help being a bit nervous about it.

I undertook the drive to Quakertown early in the morning to arrive at the Weisel Youth Hostel in time for breakfast.  A nice array of foods were on offer including hot oatmeal. There were a few riders milling about that I did indeed know, although most of them were doing the 150k.  That option seemed very reasonable to me, but would fall short of the total I needed.  I remained committed to the 200k.  A regular PA rider, Johnathan, recognized me and inquired if I was riding fixed.  I confirmed that I was to which he replied with just two words, "Fox Gap", referring to the 1,000 foot climb that appears at mile fifty-five.  I simply shrugged admitting that I expected to struggle.

Riders milling about at the start. Weisel Youth Hostel, Quakertown, PA

I line up with my bike out in front of the building and chat with Chris, a rider from my area.  I would enjoy riding with Chris but she is on the 150k which is mostly on different roads.  Tom makes a few last minute announcements and gives us the off signal.  The group works it's way out on the hard pack dirt driveway to Richlandtown road.  The first miles are on reasonably gentle rolling terrain.  A nice warm-up for a rather perfect day.  The current temperature is in the fifties with the high expected in the low sixties.  At mile fifteen we make the first of several Deleware River crossings at Riegelsville, PA.  A left turn is made onto River Road after the bridge to parallel the river riding on the New Jersey side. We continue to Phillipsburg where we re-cross the river to Easton, PA.  The climbing begins in earnest passing Lafayette college. The rhythm of the fixed gear has not allowed me to match pace with anyone.  I'm riding alone somewhere near the back of the 200k riders, which is where I generally am in the early miles.  Typically I work my way further up the field later on by taking short breaks at the controls and picking up my pace as the day goes on.  I roll into the first control at Wind Gap, Pa.  There is no one there.  I am in and out in ten minutes heading for the top of Wind Gap, and the first of two Appalachian Trail crossings.

Crossing the Appalachian Trail

 I move well up Wind Gap snapping a photo of the A.T. sign while rolling along.  I'm relying on the cue sheet for all navigation as my Garmin froze up after only fifteen miles.  Things go along well until I miss-read a cue and pass by a turn on Cherry Vally Road. I ride ahead through a construction zone. I cover more than a mile before I realize my mistake and backtrack to the point of the error.  From there I manage to navigate flawlessly to the climb up Fox Gap. As I work my way up the two mile climb my focus is on attempting to stay up for the entire time. I make it about 75% of the way before walking becomes inevitable on a particularly steep pitch. About fifty yards later I find a driveway to re-start from and continue on the bike. Shortly I find myself walking again for another brief stretch,  Another conveniently located driveway provides my re-start point.  The road is heavily trafficked making traversing impossible.  I might have made it without walking had it been a quieter road.  I crest the mountain, crossing the Appalachian Trail for a second time,  and begin the fast descent down the other side.  I concentrate on spinning at maximum RPM.  After a few minutes I think to look at the cue sheet for the next cue.  It is an information control followed by a left turn at the TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN!!!  I am now almost at the bottom and I've passed by a control and a turn.  I need to climb all the way back to the top.  I can't believe I could be so stupid as to not have read the cue sheet before this point.  That is just basic navigation which one would think I'd have learned by now.  I find a spot to make a U-Turn and begin the grind back up.  Fortunately the grade is milder on this side and I do not have to walk. I find the sign-post, which is a "truck on cheese" warning.  I answer the question.  Then ride down 0.1 to the turn on Fox Gap Road which puts me back on course headed for the Portland control nine miles away.

Information control at the top of Fox Gap

 After the descent on Fox Gap Road the terrain is mild and pleasant.  Country lanes with low traffic are enjoyed for this short section.  I arrive at the town of Portland and make a left on Route 611 which is the main street through the tiny downtown area.  I've got a keen eye out for the control, a Citgo Mart on the right.  I pass a gas/mart on the right but the name is not Citgo, it is Jersey East, or something like that.  I continue on and am quickly riding next to the river with nothing ahead but trees.  The town is behind me.  After about a mile I realize there is only more of nothing, no market would be located out here and turn back to the town.  I stop at the Jersey East market asking the clerk if it was a Citgo at one time.  She confirmed it was and is still referred to as a Citgo by all the locals.  It's not the first time I have come across that type of cue sheet oddity.  I re-fill water bottles and head back out lamenting about all the time I've lost to mistakes on this ride, mostly my own. 

When not climbing there are always mountains to look at.

Leaving the control the cue sheet directs me back through the town. mostly along the river, to a bridge crossing which delivers me to Belvedere, NJ.  After a couple of quick turns I find myself following the river on Foul Rift Road. I  can't help but wonder why in the world anyone would name a road "Foul Rift"?  After a mile or so the answer comes to me in the form of a large cooling tower for a Nuclear Power Plant.  It's situated on the banks of the river right next to the road.  I get the joke.  There are some homes on the road.  I'm betting the residents aren't exactly in love with their address.  Sort of lacks that pleasant ring to it like say "Deer Run Road", "Shady Tree Lane" or "Apple Blossom Way".  I quickly cease thinking about these things as Foul Rift kicks up to a very steep, but kind of short hill.  I can confirm that being in close proximity to a nuke plant does little in the way of adding strength to one's legs.  I had always thought that the Incredible Hulk got his strength from exposure to nuclear radiation.  I assume one must actually be directly exposed to the reactor core to get the effect.  None the less I manage the hill without dismounting.  The remaining mileage to the control in Bloomsbury is pleasant and uneventful.  I arrive at the quiet general store needing only to re-fill a water bottle.  I have given up hope long ago of catching up with any other riders.  The extra mileage, combined with slow climbing and descending have relegated me to the position of Lantern Rouge.  At this point I'll be happy just to finish without too much riding after sun down.

The sun on it's way down.

 I'm out of the control within five minutes.  After only one half mile I hit Milford Road.  This last section is supposed to be quite challenging.  Milford Road kicks up very steep, then merges into Staats Road which is also quite steep and long.  I manage the climb by traversing on some of the steeper parts.  It's about two miles of tough grinding and I'm very pleased that I made it all the way without clipping out.  There is a pleasant descent down Sweet Hollow Road which soon after I cross the Deleware at the Milford bridge back into Pennsylvania.  After a brief run along the river on Route 32 I'm directed on Red Cliff Road a wall of hill which I cannot manage without walking.  This is followed by another steep kick on Upper Tinicum Church Road.  After some descending a turn is made on Geigel Hill Road.  This starts out very mild for a portion of it's three mile length.  Just as it lulls one into complacency it rears up to be incredibly steep.  Once again I find myself on my feet pushing the bike until the grade lessens.   After descending into the valley the terrain is mild until the last few miles of the route.  After a shorter manageable climb up Elephant Road I find myself at Lake Nockimixon.  I notice that the official time for sun down is just a few minutes away.  To comply with the rules I stop to put on reflective gear and turn on my lighting.   The finish is just on the other side of the lake. To get there requires one more climb on Route 313, which I've done many times before.  It goes by easily and I arrive at the youth hostel just minutes later.  There is still a small amount of daylight left.  Tom appears happy to see me.  With my arrival the finish percentage became 100%.  My time is 10 hours and 58 minutes.  I'm happy to have finished what is my most challenging fixed-gear 200k to date.  Also, I'm thrilled to have earned the K-Hound award for the second time.   

Epilogue, Plans and Goals
  
I've done far more solo riding this year than ever before.   The fixed-gear is isolating, unless riding with other fixies.   I enjoy riding with others, but have learned to appreciate being alone as well.  I'm not reliant on companionship to enjoy a long day on the bike.  I've become proficient at controls.  Managing to  keep my time off the bike to a bare minimum on most rides.   Due to an affliction known as ADD I've not been the best at navigation.  When I ride a new route, alone, it is highly possible, even likely, I will  make an error adding additional miles to the distance.  Usually it is a miss-read of the cue sheet that causes this.  I've since purchased a Garmin and am slowly learning how to use it.  Hopefully, this will help, but it is not a simple device to use.  At least not for me.  

It was satisfying to reach the K-Hound level again this year.  With the difference being that I have ridden only fixed-gear for every kilometer in 2012.  I am planning to travel to Texas next month for a 600k hosted by the Lone Star Randonneurs, the original K-hounds.  I'm much looking forward to meeting them, and riding with their group. 

To finish off the year I hope to ride at least 1,000 more official kilometers which will put my all time RUSA total to 40,000, which is known as the Mondial level.  A finish of the Dallas 600k will complete a second SR Series for me, this year.  Two thousand more fixed-gear miles by the year end will bring my total to 14,000 for 2012.  The R-12 quest is still intact with 45 consecutive months accumulated so far.  The P-12 stands at 22 consecutive months.   All of it is lots of motivation to keep me riding as the weather turns colder.  

Boo-ya!

  

       

New Jersey State Record Crossing (East to West)

The wind feels cool blowing through my one piece cycling suit.  It's just a few minutes past eight on a cloudy Sunday morning.  The aforementioned wind is coming off the Great Bay in Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.  I'm at the center of a small gathering making final preparations to ride my bike to the western end of the state where the pavement will end at the Delaware River, some eighty miles from the starting point.  The purpose of the gathering is to attempt to break a standing UMCA record for crossing the state from east to west.  That record stands at 5 hours, 55 minutes.  I'm hoping to beat that time by a substantial margin, perhaps an hour or more.

At thirteen minutes past the hour I'm ready to go.  My nervousness begins to fade away as I turn the pedals on the Specialized Langster fixed gear.  My wife, son and David, the UMCA official, pile into the follow vehicle to trail behind me.  This is a requirement for a UMCA record.  I question whether it will be a distraction.  As it turns out I quickly forget it's there.  Focusing on maintaining a brisk pace for the miles ahead requires most of my concentration.  With the remaining mental capacity I am making sure I don't miss a turn.  I am to stay on Great Bay Boulevard for over six miles.  The area is very open and quiet at this early hour.  I can see the water to  my left.  There are multiple narrow bridges with traffic lights to ensure no two vehicles meet on the wooden section, which is only wide enough for one vehicle.  The UMCA rules require adherence to all traffic laws.  I lose a couple of minutes waiting at these lights, even though no vehicle comes through.  After crossing US-9 I am headed to the heart of the Pine Barrens region.  This is a good place to be when the wind direction is opposite of helpful.  The trees make a nice blockade allowing a steady pace to be maintained.  My goal is to manage the full distance without a stop.

Waiting at one of many traffic light crossings

 With the follow car safely in tow we roll through Green Bank and Elwood arriving at US 322, White Horse Pike.  Thirty-two miles are behind us, we remain on target.  After crossing the highway at a jug-handle intersection on Malaga Road I signal my crew for a hand-off water bottle.  We never practiced this from the moving vehicle, we only discussed the safest way to do it.  The exchange goes smoothly with little to no time delay.  My wife is the support person in the back of the HHR.  She is responsible for hand-offs and is helping me with navigation.  Periodically small slips of paper with turns for the next ten to twenty miles are passed to me.  I clip them to the bar to keep track of the route.  When we pass the forty mile point without any major mishap my confidence begins to soar.  I had driven the route two weeks ago.  Doing so is proving extremely useful as I recognize many of the landmarks where turns are located.  Combined with the small cue-sheets I'm being handed from the support crew all is going smoothly.  

Official UMCA follow vehicle

 After a sixteen mile stretch on a single county road, CR 690, we find ourselves close to fifty miles.  With about thirty left to the finish.  It looks as if we are going to shatter the record.  Although, I'm trying hard to block out that thought.  I think about the expression "counting chickens before they hatch".  I need to concentrate on nothing but staying on course and giving what I can to the momentum of the bike.  

Soon enough I begin to see the cooling tower of the Salem Nuclear Plant looming up ahead with steam steadily flowing from it's top.  Our destination is quite near the plant, which uses the Delaware River to cool the reactor core.  The wind has picked up quite a bit, and for now, I am right into it.  With about ten miles left I pick up my effort to compensate.  Mostly, it is effective.  My average speed is holding fairly well. 

The final miles are exposed land, mostly corn fields.  When the turn for Fort Elfsborg road comes up I know we are within a few miles of the end.  The road twists its way through some farmland and makes a hard left to become a residential road.  I fly by the small houses until the tiny park at the end of the road is in sight.  Not much point in sprinting , but, for the benefit of the crew I pump my fist int he air as I hit the transition from road to dirt, which is where the land yields to the river.  We have taken more than 1.5 hours off of the existing record using a fixed-gear bike.  Needless to say we are a happy little group at the finish.  The finish time is 4 hours, 27 minutes.

Epilouge:

At the finish on the Delaware River.  Notice the flags.

A hug for the crew chief and vehicle driver, my son Charlie

Left to right: David, UMCA Official, Charlie (son), Crew Chief, Lucy (wife) support crew 

 A UMCA event is an unusual practice for me.  The past seven years have been largely spent randoneuriing.  While much has been accomplished in that time the repetitiveness of the activity can make one weary.  Something different than the routine can be refreshing.  Preparing for the record attempt took incredible time and energy.  And, much of it was off the bike.  In fact, meeting the UMCA paperwork and vehicle signage requirements where quite time consuming.  As was designing and driving the route.   With the experience gained in this successful attempt I feel that future participation will be easier.   There are literally scads of records across the country that are ripe for the picking.  I'm hoping to find the time and a willing crew to take a shot at another one.  Stay tuned.  

Boo-ya!