Agony of defeat? Not exactly.
Well, it finally happened — I failed to complete a ride. Yesterday, I attempted the Oregon Ultimate Road Ride. Basically, it’s 215 miles in the Cascade mountains. The ride had it all — distance, tough climbs, great scenery, scorching heat, and wind. 18 people attempted this year.
Many things went right. I had a great time and met a number of people I hope to ride with again. Weather was decent. I felt good and rode with the big boys until mile 60 or 70. Although they dropped me, I passed the 100 mile mark 6 hrs after I started. That’s a respectable time even on a flat route, let alone one that involves thousands of feet of climbing. Although I’d been using more of my legs than I should, I was on track to a strong finish when I passed the halfway mark.
At mile 125, I was riding slower than my usual pace but still feeling good. Just a couple miles later, heat exhaustion hit me like a load of bricks — it was all I could do to not pass out while riding. I took off my helmet to cool off, but around mile 130 I was in a total daze and barely able to move in my lowest gear. I felt so bad that I considered lying on the shoulder of the highway and falling asleep. Fortunately, Bryan was nearby, heard from another rider that I looked terrible, and he rescued me.
My first reaction when I knew my day was prematurely over was to question the rest of my riding schedule. I wondered if maybe I wasn’t kidding myself about my physical condition and need to face the fact that I belong with smaller fish in a smaller pond. However, once I got some fluids in me and began feeling normal again, I remembered that people much better than me have bad days — some of whom also failed to complete the Ultimate. I knew that I could have finished this ride, but just not this time.
Normally, my strategy is to ride my ride and let others ride theirs. I don’t attempt to catch or drop anyone. This time, though, I got caught up in the moment. I rode too hard and didn’t pay enough attention to hydration. I don’t regret trying this. One of the things I’ve always wondered is if my normal strategy is too conservative and if maybe I should ride harder. Apparently, my regular plan is spot on.
I think I’ll still attempt the Everest Challenge, though I think I need some more training in high desert. The problem with riding in the high desert is you don’t feel like you’re sweating, so you can get dehydrated easily.
In a strange sense, failing the ride yesterday may have been a good thing. Today my left knee hurts like heck — apparently a combination of painkiller and adrenaline kept me from realizing how bad it was yesterday. Better to bail early and still have a chance of healing up in time for some great rides in August than trashing my knee and being out for the rest of the season.