tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post3562514866722962789..comments2024-03-15T04:01:53.036-04:00Comments on Cranky Fitness: Death Ride 2015Crabby McSlackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12108791388350253344noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-1866115623592560952015-08-11T14:36:00.279-04:002015-08-11T14:36:00.279-04:00Death Ride Grandma - I so enjoyed your report. Ou...Death Ride Grandma - I so enjoyed your report. Our stories are eerily similar. I am now mad at you (I will explain at the end!)<br />I turned 58 today. I started riding in 2010 after I bought myself a nice road bike to get more exercise. Like you, my trips became longer and longer and I did my first century in 2011. Someone had told me about the Death Ride in 2010 and I had dismissed it as something crazy and extreme. But I thought I was ready in 2014, so I signed up. I did prep well - I did 4 centuries in the 7 weeks before Death Ride, with the last one being particularly challenging. I made it up Monitor West, Monitor East, and had no problems starting up Ebbetts East. But just as I got to the top and received my third sticker, I suddenly felt light headed, dizzy, and nauseated. I sat down for a good 40 minutes and forced myself to throw up. I thought my day was finished, but I was talked into going down to Hermit Valley. I made it up without stopping, hoping I would feel better, but just had no appetite due to the nausea and could only keep down half a sandwich at the lunch stop. I rode up to my car and called it a day after 4 passes, since I knew I hadn't refueled myself adequately. On the drive to the hotel, I vowed that I would not do this again.<br />Of course, a week later, I thought about what had gone wrong. I was too excited the AM of the ride and didn't eat or drink much, thinking I would do it on the ride. I ended up bonking because of that deficit.<br />So I signed up for 2015. I added the Alta Alpina Challenge as part of my training. Yes, their century was cancelled, but their club did a group ride on that day and I joined them. That experience in the heat (it was 90) and altitude was valuable. On the morning of Death Ride 2015, I made sure I ate some high energy bars and drank a liter of Gatorade. Just like you, I was on my bike at 4 AM, in the pitch black and the cold, listening to the river on the right that we couldn't see. I made it up to Monitor Pass as the sun was just coming up. I ate some snacks though I wasn't hungry and made the descent. Unfortunately, about halfway up Monitor East, my left knee started to hurt. It was my iliotibial band, which I inflamed during a century ride in 2012. I had worn an IT band strap for two years with every ride, including last year's Death Ride, but stopped it as I was consistently pain free. I don't know why it started hurting (I had trained including multiple Mt Diablo rides). But I knew from prior experience that there was no way I could do three more passes (the pain is like a knife on the side of your knee with every pedal stroke). I got to the top of Monitor, rode down and dejectly turned right instead of left onto 89. I was so disappointed and mad at myself- the weather this year was perfect (72 degrees) compared to the 90 in 2014, and this was unlikely to recur. I loaded my bike in my car, thinking this was my last chance, and that I would never do this again.<br />But I just read your report, Death Ride Grandma. You made two attempts, but didn't give up, and earned your five pass jersey on your third. I guess I'm now obligated, all because of you. <br />(I was just joking about being mad at you. Thanks so much for the inspiration!)<br /><br />EmoryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-73051546154333075682015-08-01T13:25:01.858-04:002015-08-01T13:25:01.858-04:00Thanks, Carla! Sorry this took me a while - am in ...Thanks, Carla! Sorry this took me a while - am in London on my way to some much gentler bike touring.Death Ride Grandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-18166917496024776212015-07-30T05:30:53.915-04:002015-07-30T05:30:53.915-04:00D*MN WE LOVE US SOME DEATHRIDE GRANDMA!!!!!!!!!D*MN WE LOVE US SOME DEATHRIDE GRANDMA!!!!!!!!!Carlahttp://carlabirnberg.com/2015/07/30/you-shouldnt-bowl-fruit/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-64882603475052246762015-07-30T01:58:37.027-04:002015-07-30T01:58:37.027-04:00Thanks, Dr. J! Those shirts are fun. My cousin did...Thanks, Dr. J! Those shirts are fun. My cousin did it the one year they didn't use the Death Ride theme (it is also officially called Tour of the California Alps) and he almost decided to do it again just to get a skeleton on his jersey.Death Ride Grandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-5771650621093715182015-07-29T08:51:06.249-04:002015-07-29T08:51:06.249-04:00Bravo, that's quite an accomplishment!!!
To p...Bravo, that's quite an accomplishment!!!<br /><br />To paraphrase: My best friend, who loves in Lake Tahoe, did the Death Ride, and all I got is this wonderful tee-shirt!" It's red and I love it!Dr. Jhttp://goo.gl/Qsrs9noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-38174714829820143572015-07-27T19:57:32.717-04:002015-07-27T19:57:32.717-04:00Thanks, Jo-Ann! Yes, go for that major race! There...Thanks, Jo-Ann! Yes, go for that major race! There are so many great rides out there, it's hard to find enough time to do all of them.Death Ride Grandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-79960979767681175102015-07-27T17:47:43.895-04:002015-07-27T17:47:43.895-04:00Wow! Congratulations on such a major achievement! ...Wow! Congratulations on such a major achievement! I have just started biking at age 46 and your story is inspiring me to look for a major race for next year! Thanks!Jo-Annhttp://proteinshakediet.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-59343194972922710992015-07-27T15:48:51.549-04:002015-07-27T15:48:51.549-04:00Thank you, Tracy! Have a great time on your ride. ...Thank you, Tracy! Have a great time on your ride. I used to participate in an AIDS ride called Ride FAR that probably covered some of your route - we started in P'town and ended up in central Mass. We managed to rack up 100 miles per day for 5 days - so we saw just about everything along the way. It is beautiful riding country. But you have to eat! Take time to do it, even if it makes your total time longer. I ate on my training rides this year, and they were way more fun than similar rides had been before I ate enough. Too bad it didn't work on the big day, but I suspect altitude was a factor.Death Ride Grandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-3008523424369179812015-07-27T15:42:20.833-04:002015-07-27T15:42:20.833-04:00Thanks, Dave! I actually swore I would only try on...Thanks, Dave! I actually swore I would only try once, but there is in me a streak of what one of my companions described as "just stubbornness" - she was talking about herself, too - and I found I just had to keep trying until I got it done. Now I am resisting continuing until I can make a more elegant finish...which could be followed by a faster finish, and so on. So I am not sure it should inspire anyone to do anything but be more sensible than I was!Death Ride Grandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-50182088429035153432015-07-27T15:00:15.973-04:002015-07-27T15:00:15.973-04:00Wow!!!! I am soooo excited to read this post. I ...Wow!!!! I am soooo excited to read this post. I have been training for a 106 mile ride in September from my town to the Statehouse in Boston. It's not a mountainous ride AT ALL, but there are hills. This is a first for me. I was JUST thinking how I used to enjoy riding, but now that it's getting so serious, I am totally worn out. I am sore, I am tired, I don't feel good. I eat and eat and eat when I'm hungry (like 3,000 calories per day), but on the days I am riding, I don't want to eat and don't feel like eating. I read this and you say that's normal. I'm so proud of you for finishing your ride. You did awesome. Congratulations!!! Way to go, I am so excited to read this. Way to go, you! You are truly an inspiration!!!Tracey Colemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11202001956775683301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-3821657250518566672015-07-27T14:30:56.680-04:002015-07-27T14:30:56.680-04:00Grandma,
Wow, congratulations on an amazing ride! ...Grandma,<br />Wow, congratulations on an amazing ride! Your persistence is stunning. Most people would not try again after failing to finish the race one time. <br /><br />And I loved the story!<br /><br />What you did is more impressive to me than many professional athletic feats. This is inspiring to us all!<br /><br />Bravo!!!<br />DaveDavehttp://fitnesstabby.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-88108885211520467732015-07-27T13:33:20.106-04:002015-07-27T13:33:20.106-04:00You should try riding in Kentucky--there are many ...You should try riding in Kentucky--there are many lovely parts to ride through, and I know there's an active road touring association even if I don't know what it's called. But here in Louisville, where I'm living now, the new bike lanes they've been building everywhere? When the bike lane logo doesn't fit inside the lane markings it may mean they haven't quite thought things through….<br /><br />Mary Anne in Kentuckysolarityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03606487180967915130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-68873417137219246772015-07-27T12:42:18.282-04:002015-07-27T12:42:18.282-04:00Thank you, Outsmart the Fat! You are very discipli...Thank you, Outsmart the Fat! You are very disciplined in your reading. I never can resist peeking ahead. Never much liked suspense anyway. Death Ride Grandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-85104139510389759462015-07-27T12:39:55.544-04:002015-07-27T12:39:55.544-04:00Thank you, LynM. I am very happy to have managed (...Thank you, LynM. I am very happy to have managed (barely) to get through it!Death Ride Grandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-70939014309860887472015-07-27T12:38:53.351-04:002015-07-27T12:38:53.351-04:00Thank you, JavaChick! It does feel good, and keeps...Thank you, JavaChick! It does feel good, and keeps feeling better as I finish resting up from it!Death Ride Grandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-79400141618960766162015-07-27T12:37:47.637-04:002015-07-27T12:37:47.637-04:00Thank you, Kimberley! I am very happy/relieved to ...Thank you, Kimberley! I am very happy/relieved to be done (at least I hope we are done). But you know, there are so many people out there - I was actually passed by several on Elliptigos (hmm - what's the plural for those things?) - so I realize that there is always a bigger challenge out there if I want it. But so far, thank goodness, I do NOT! Death Ride Grandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-69023703031766041062015-07-27T12:32:49.569-04:002015-07-27T12:32:49.569-04:00Thanks, Shelley! Now if only one of my ride compan...Thanks, Shelley! Now if only one of my ride companions had not started talking about Death Ride 2017...That is something I find a bit scary!Death Ride Grandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-27698994056796045992015-07-27T12:30:49.968-04:002015-07-27T12:30:49.968-04:00Thank you, messymimi! I love the Snoopy image!Thank you, messymimi! I love the Snoopy image!Death Ride Grandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-241608668619764572015-07-27T12:29:54.655-04:002015-07-27T12:29:54.655-04:00Oops - yes, that's my ID, too. I forgot that G...Oops - yes, that's my ID, too. I forgot that Google has become increasingly sneaky about trying to get me to use that ID all the time. I have never actually entered it.Death Ride Grandmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-44389797038637836842015-07-27T12:28:57.607-04:002015-07-27T12:28:57.607-04:00YES! I saw the picture of the bib below where I wa...YES! I saw the picture of the bib below where I was reading, and had to fight my eyes to not drift down and spoil myself.<br /><br />Congrats!Outsmart the Fat!https://www.blogger.com/profile/06414714464048588055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-2842458816516128612015-07-27T12:28:29.900-04:002015-07-27T12:28:29.900-04:00Thank you, Mary Anne. Let us know when you are rea...Thank you, Mary Anne. Let us know when you are ready for the century! I am now looking forward to riding in more and more parts of the country - maybe I could come and see your lovely state and ride it, too!bybikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02304114642516453688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-12499119316508019542015-07-27T11:25:44.961-04:002015-07-27T11:25:44.961-04:00Hurrah! This is so wonderful!
LynMHurrah! This is so wonderful!<br /><br /> LynMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-81814906582420945272015-07-27T11:02:44.276-04:002015-07-27T11:02:44.276-04:00Congratulations! I am truly impressed that you wer...Congratulations! I am truly impressed that you were able to push through. Must feel great to have conquered this at last! :)JavaChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06816858010039395389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-66814703377406992122015-07-27T10:49:40.393-04:002015-07-27T10:49:40.393-04:00Tears of happiness for you, DRG!!! Congratulation...Tears of happiness for you, DRG!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are so awesome!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-67597867182290089692015-07-27T09:20:36.154-04:002015-07-27T09:20:36.154-04:00Damn, woman - you are incredible!!! I'm so ha...Damn, woman - you are incredible!!! I'm so happy you finished, and equally happy that you can cross this one off the list!Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05890227462052573887noreply@blogger.com