Good job Ronnie! You made your goal and clearly had the rest in hand. Nice
job improvising and doing as best as you could. Any clue what you hit?
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2011 10:12 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [COWs] 2011 BSG
We arrived in Boone Friday around noon. Winds were 10 - 15 gusting to 25 out
from WSW. The direction doesn't really matter in the mountains tho as the
topography and elevation can cause the wind to come from any direction. We
went to Grandfather Mountain for the afternoon. At the top the wind was
blowing 40 - 50 gusting to 60. All the while I'm thinking I hope the wind
isn't this bad tomorrow at any elevation.
Saturday am I arrived at the start line around 6:45. Met up with Eddie, Tim
and Winslow from RM. Weather was perfect at the time. 60 degrees light
breeze, no humidity. This year they split the start - 100 milers first, 50
milers 30 mins later. This helped a lot with the crowding at the start line.
We head out, the four us staying together, but that didn't last long. Eddie
and I lost Tim & Winslow going up 105, possibly due to crowding. Eddie and I
climbed into Blowing Rock (6 - 7% grade for about 6 miles). BTW I took my
triple up for the ride (30-42-53 crank and 12-26 cassette). Climbed to the
parkway and the wind started picking up a bit. It's downhill all the way to
the other side of Boone with a few "rolls" thrown in, but wasn't able to hit
50 mph this go around due to the "breeze". With the first "big climb" out of
the way, and the first rest/aid stop at mile 25, the next 35 miles are just
"rolls" and a 2 mile climb on 194. This brings the ride to the base of Snake
Mtn. We were averaging just under 17mph at this point. Eddie has moved on as
he has less mass and could climb at a faster pace than I wanted. It was a
good thing too as I'll get to in a bit.
After emptying a bottle i start up the road with cross winds blowing. No 18
mph on the "flat" portion this year. Caught up with this other guy and we
"cruised" together to the first "up-tick" in slope. (This climb is concave -
steeper as you go). We stay together, chit-chatting which helped pass the
time and mountain away. The serious climb started at the 3.5 mile mark with
3.5 more to go - roughly 10 - 12% or so. Legs are still feeling pretty good.
My single goal is to not walk the switchback (18 - 22%). Looking up I see
the switchback and I'm still on the bike (yeah!) Down to my 30/26, no gear
left, rolling at 3 - 4 mph, Passing a dozen or more walkers. Hit the outside
of the switchback and down comes a car (yikes!). she stops, not annoyed and
says the top is just around the corner (very encouraging!) Make it to the
second half of the switchback and the worst is over. (Heart rate finally
hits 167). Goal met.
The backside was the most dicey part of the route with gravel at the bottom.
One other "climb" to the state line then downhill to 421. Turn onto 421 and
something weird is going on with rear tire. Before I could stop to
investigate, pow! it blows (mile 70). tread missng, cords showing, a couple
frayed. Don't know what I ran over. Tim shows up at this point and stops.
Booted the tire, replace tube and continue on hoping to make the last 30 but
deep down knowing I probably won't with that tire. He and I ride to the next
station at mile 80 keeping it under 25 mph. Boot holding so far. Tim refills
and continues on. I "pit-stop" so i'm solo at this point. I continue on the
the last "major" climb - George's Gap Rd. Make the climb and start on the
switch-back filled downhill. At mile 86 on the downhill and going 25 or so,
pow! Tire blows again. Maintained control of the bike and didn't crash or
damage wheel. Started walking back up the mtn to the refill station at the
gap. No "supply wagons" to replace the tire so I'm out. (I only had three
more "rolls" to the finish anyway).The "hole" is now the size of a dime. The
bad thing was i was ahead of my time from last year by at least 15 mins.
Called my wife (Colleen) to get the SAG number and remembered Eddie was
ahead of me, so I called him as well. (No SAG number on the cue sheet). They
got the folks to scramble a SAG wagon in the area to pick me up.
It was a good ride up until the tire blew, but my goal was achieved: riding
up Snake.
Ronnie
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