Six weeks of spin classes at the YMCA paid off (thanks Cynthia for suggesting them!). I did 76.7 miles the first day, to be exact, on my hybrid bike and was far from being the last to come in. I finished somewhere in the middle of the second half of the 75 milers. Not bad for someone who has never ridden more than 30 miles EVER. I did complete the 30 mile route the second day with several hundred others who just couldn't hang with 75 miles due to the heat. It was a scorcher and many SAG'd in. Glad to say I finished. Not something I want to take on again on my hybrid, but good to say, "been there, done that!".
Colleen _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Raper Family Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2008 9:20 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [COWs] Re: Bike MS Tour ( formerly known as the MS150) Sorry it has taken so long to get back with a report. Great weekend >2,300 cyclists rode. 30, 75, 100 miles loops both days. I did the double century again. Wasn't able to hook up with the folks I rode with the prior two years so ended up floating from group to group riding a lot of the centuries solo or pulling folks. The first day I was in on of the lead groups and we pulled out onto Hwy 70 & 55 and ended up topping out at 27 mph. We rode together for the first 25 miles to the second SAG stop (blew by the first) I looked at my average speed and it was 22.68! It was very humid so hydration was paramount. They kept on going (didn't even stop) but I was low on fluid and knew I couldn't keep that pace up for the next 75 miles as the wind was beginning to pick up out of the S - SW, thus not much of a help. Based on the route, crosswinds and head winds were the order of the day. Finally hooked up with a couple of Tri guys and we rode together for about 40 miles or so and we ended passing a good portion of the lead I was originally in. I guess the humidity, heat and wind did them in. Second day couldn't find anyone I rode with on Sat until the second (25 mile rest stop). Excercised great restraint to exceed 25 despite the lack of wind and other riders starting out that fast 'cause the wind was again out of the S. This route was not wind friendly at all - all cross winds and headwinds. The wind was stronger, heat hotter, humidity higher the second day. Basically took it easy and rode the last 75 miles with a Hibernian teammate. We did have a crash at the 80 mile mark. He clipped my rear wheel and went down along with two others behind him. No injuries (scrapes, rash etc) Bikes took a beating tho. (Fortunately, I did not go down) I saved the best for last. On Saturday, Colleen rode the full 75 mile route. Slow and steady pace but completed it nonetheless. On Sunday, she rode the 30 mile loop. I'll let her fill you in on specific details. She decided on the way down to try the 75. She felt 30 was too short and could do more. The strategy was if she started and passed the 30 mile mark and felt she couldn't do any more, she could SAG in. Well she toughed it out and passed a few other riders along the way. One of her riding partners from our team dropped and SAG'd in. No recovery rides for either of us. Sunday evening it was off to Disney. Miles and miles of walking. Legs started feeling better about Wed - Thurs or so. Hope everyone had a great week. Ronnie _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Whalen, Kevin Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 7:13 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [COWs] Re: Bike MS Tour ( formerly known as the MS150) Colleen and Ronnie, how did you ride go this weekend? --Kevin _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Raper Family Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 9:18 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [COWs] Bike MS Tour ( formerly known as the MS150) We're off to the Bike MS (MS150) in New Bern this weekend. Colleen is riding 60 miles, I'll be doing 200. This is the single largest organized bike event in the state raising well over $1.4 million for the local National MS chapter to assist the several thousand folks living with MS every day. Over 1,900 riders with 100 - 200 more volunteers will light upon New Bern this weekend to make it a success, especially since it is the 20th anniversary year. Below is a link to the website for more information or if anyone out there would like to make a donation in either of our names. Have fun riding this weekend! http://bikenct.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_NCT_ePled ge Ronnie & Colleen Raper <BR --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CyclistsOfWilson-COWs" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/CyclistsOfWilson-COWs?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
