Calm Amid the Solvang Double Century Storm

I purposely tried not to check the weather reports too often leading up to the event. In Northern California, storms continuously passed throughout March. Each time I checked Solvang weather I would see ‘afternoon showers’ or ‘partly cloudy’ or just ‘rain.’ I finally decided that it would be what it was and I would need to deal with it to stop the naysayer in my mind. Which is what I needed to do just to get myself to the event...and finish it!

My training program was supposed to mimic my regiment from last year with a lot of base miles in December and January, and then more strategic miles in February and March. However after the IC3 training camp I attended in January, things seemed to falling apart. I was feeling strong enough to finish my 100 mile training rides, but without power, and then being dropped on team rides, tired, and unmotivated. My ART (active release technique) doctor said I may have lost my ‘Chi’ energy. I reluctantly agreed and took time off the bike, ate super foods (fresh eggs from our chickens, yogurt, and green leafy veggies), took vitamins and minerals (B-complex, Adrenaline, Magnesium, etc.), and got a lot of sleep. With 3 weeks before the event, I had a ‘go-no go’ 125-mile decision ride out Mines Road (with JD from Eden) to see how I felt. Finally I was beginning to feel ok and signed up for the event that evening.

In awaking to cloudy skies and 45-degree weather, I thought how nice the warmer cloud cover was compaired to last year’s 32-degree start (a now regretful thought). As I soft pedaled from Solvang to the start in Buellton, I waved to and encouraged riders headed out in the opposite direction already beginning their efforts.

My event strategy was fairly simple: ride with the 7:30 last group as long as possible and then pace myself the rest of the way looking for ‘friends’ to share the pace and work. My spirits were dampened just a bit when I arrived at the start and found that this year everyone was being timed which left only about 15 leaving last. This meant that being dropped early would lead to a long day alone.

The pace at the outset was steady mostly lead by a tandem with a few true ultra types (Hoodoo 500 finishers) taking long strong pulls. I stayed near the back to be sheltered from the wind and to have time to chat with a few riders, one with whom I had done Solvang and Davis last year (Dave from Davis Bike Club who later ‘won’ the event this year). The group then yo-yoed on the Foxen Canyon climb and decent which is where I made my first error. Nature was calling but I thought I could wait until the first aide station (rather than stopping and then catching onto the group behind). When the group reformed, they plowed through the aide station (now I know why they are carrying extra bottles in their jersey). An hour and a half later we had covered 75 miles in 3:30 and I finally whispered my adieu to the group as I pulled off to head the nature break.

It was then that I felt the first sprinkles. When I arrived alone at the second aide station (mile 93), it was beginning to shower. As I had depleted both water bottles, I stopped to refill (and take another nature break). Through San Luis Obispo and out towards Morro Bay I rode mostly solo until the Tandem from the morning caught me and I sat on their wheel for the next 40 miles while the rain began falling in earnest and the gutters spill.

By the lunch stop, I was soaked to the bone. My new rain slick and ‘water proof’ gloves decided that after more than two hours of constant rain, constant spray from the tandem, and the swirling wind was enough. I quickly ate half of a sandwich, refilled my bottles, visited the port-a-potty and left. At about mile 140 I realized that my left hand was so cold that I could no longer shift into the big chain ring. I was also beginning to shake in convulsions on the descents (even though it was 52-degrees). Rain + Cool + Wind = COLD, another mistake…[knee warmers, arm warmers, gloves, rain jacket – not enough!…why was I chuckling at the folks I passed in full rain gear? Am I going to finish?]

Finally at the last rest stop in Los Alimos, I was able to warm up a bit with hot cup-a-noodle soup. As the course was changed from prior years, we navigated back over Foxen and then towards Solvang. I realized the rain was letting up as we headed south lending to a few rays of sunshine as we entered Bulletin and checked into the finish. While tired and hungry, my body held together well and I finished pleased.

What I love about riding long is overcoming the fear and guilt that are inherent in being human. After a while, that ‘second guessing’ voice in my mind is too tired to object, complain, and doubt. I feel free to just ride. I don’t believe these voices are part of our true self or what God intends. By riding long, I can free myself of these voices and be at peace, in connection with God and nature, loving life even while suffering. This is what I love about riding long.

Event: Solvang Double Century, March 26, 2011
Participants: 484 preregistered, 379 starters, 288 finishers
Course distance and profile: 199.8 miles, 8300 feet of climbing
Weather: Cool 52-degrees, cloudy, rain, wind, more rain, and very wet
IC3 /Eden Cycling Club Riders: Dan Schaefer
Result: 11 hours 11 minutes total elapsed
Position: #5 for overall solo category, [#2 in my own over 45 solo ‘non-category’]

http://www.planetultra.com/solvang/Results/2011results.htm