The morning arrived far to quickly. Could have been because the AC in the room was cranking and I was frozen solid. Could have been the anticipation of the 85 mile ride that would be staring me in the face when i slipped on my jersey. Could have been the anticipation of seeing all my friends clip on their bikes for a charity that does more than we can ever know. What ever the reason it was a short night, and not a lot of sleeping.
Will and I had a crap together that morning, and rolled down to the lobby where we were greeted by a fantastic breakfast. They had the all essential feast of BACON. ( hey i’m cycling 220+ miles, so bacon for breakfast is ok)
The first leg of the days journey was a short jaunt from the Hershey lodge to Chocolate World. Where we would be greeted by Hershey, and sent off on miles of asphalt. They had another contential breakfast there, and more importantly coffee. So most people grazed on the food mingled, and joked about how sore their asses would be when they got to King of Prussia.
Fatmans Delight
We were corralled outside to hear executives from both Hershey and the YSC, talk about the significane of this event. Hershey ponied up with a check for 300k, and indicated that the riders have raised at that point close to 450k! Nice job, (Still I found myself short of the minimum donation so if your reading this click the link to the right and help me finish strong. )
listening at Hershey
We assembled outside of Chocolate world for some last minute instructions, cautions about some decents, and then with the blast of the horn we were off.
Lock and Load
One of Will’s close friends were there with her kids, and mother. How great was that. To drive up to Hershey on a cold windy morning.. Thanks!
We were off. People cheering, and me again wondering about the condition of that fork. There were some sweet descents so i knew that sooner or later fate would take hold and either keep me up right or have me laid out in a hospital bed..
It is interesting when cycling in a group like this, your first day always seems to bring your A game. I was beginning to worry, as we rolled out my heart rate monitor was continously beeping at me, a sure sign of a lack of preparation and training. I figured I would have to keep in the red untill lunch to keep D in sight. But how much would that take out of me. I started to plan the bonk… Hell i was only 5 or 6 miles into the ride.
That was about when we hit our first decent climb. Will took off like car thief, and Deirdre systematically walked away from me on the climb. Already?? Fortunate for me, for as slow as i can go up the hill, its as fast as i can go down them. I crested the hill with them out of sight. (i never did see Will after that) So after pouring the coals on I hit the descent as Will would say like a dump truck of the empire state building.
With it spooled up, I got down and tucked with my chin on the bars and forgot about the fork, and all other thoughts. I knew i was screaming down the hill when the bike temporarily left the asphalt as i hit a dip. Deirdre reappeared then dissappeared.
Day 1 was challenging. (profile to be added later) As we headed south to King of Prussia, it is mostly rolling hills, so if your in shape you can get into a grove and rythym, but if your like me. that is easier said than done.
At one point during the day, D and i hit a series of hills. She again hit the hills for the climb and promptly dropped me. I didn’t really care, i was like oh well i lost……. I lost to an young older woman…. that doesn’t set well, humm, many thoughts rolled through my mind. But at that point the hill was my focus and my padentic pace allowed her to drop easily a 3/4 to a mile on me. by the time i reached the top, i had choked down a power bar, drank 1/2 a bottle of fluids, and figured if it stayed moderately flat, i could catch her. I mean i wasn’t going to let her roll into the rest stop with the established 3 minute lead to claim victory. The only flaw and I knew it were the hills, if the course had more good sized climbs, there would have been no way to salvage her break.
Fortunately for me. There were no big climbs, and after hammering some of the down hills, and keeping a high cadence and steady speed on the flats, i did manage to reel her back in.. Thank goodness cause I’m not sure my ego would have been able to take it.
We rolled in for lunch, ego intact, and enjoyed the best subway subs ever! Man they are a tasty treat.
We were warned that the last 6 miles would provide significant hills and that people should reserve some energy for the last couple of miles. That advise was spot on. Climbing through Valley Forge Park was no small task. However it was at the end and with the Sheraton Hotel within sight, we came in very strong.
more to follow
FM
