January 13, 2012
Failure. Resolve. Revenge. Redemption.
Back in 2010, I attempted and failed the Levi’s Gran Fondo Ride, noted here. It was a bitter disappointment for me. I had thought I was in pretty good shape. But early cramps pretty much obliterated any chances for me to finish.
I was determined to ride it again and be better prepared. I started by having my VO2Max levels tested at Phase IV Scientific Training & Performance. Once I was assessed, they gave me a training schedule which started with two months of base training. Since I was in pretty poor shape (in light of the fact that I had already been riding consistently for two years), my heartrate zones were very low. This meant months of riding at around 10 mph where I could comfortably ride 15. It did, however have good results, as my endurance became a non-issue on longer rides. This was proven on the Tour de Cure Century and LA River Ride Century that I did. Yet another training ride that I did was Latigo Canyon loop. Previously, I had remarked that there was no routes in Los Angeles that would compare to the Gran Fondo, but I was mistaken. While the distance was shorter, the climbs here were just as steep, almost as long, and the descents just as treacherous.I did one more century in the form of the Cool Breeze Century before the big ride. My average speeds were getting progressively better. Then came the big ride. Unlike the previous year, the weather was horrid. Which is to say, normal for that region. It was drizzly, foggy and cold for the most part. I went with my friend Ben, who, at the 35 mile mark, ran into his own troubles, documented very well at his blog. I trudged on. Those hills from the previous year where I had to get off my bike and walk I managed to push through, albeit slowly. Those cramps that came on early at the 30 mile mark didn’t start materializing until about mile 80. The base training had prepared me well for the endurance and pacing. The Latigo climbs and descents had also prepared me for the climbing and fast descending.When I crested a major hill and actually saw the ocean, my tears were obscuring my vision. I had to bail the ride well before that last time. The last hill, Coleman Canyon, at the 85 mile mark was a steep, painful slog. And by then, yes, I was starting to get severe leg cramps. I’m sure the cold wasn’t helping. I’d stop. Rub out the cramps, and ride on. I had to stop several times going up that climb. The photo below was taken by one of the onsite photographers at my worst. But at least I’m on my bike. There are many photos in this set where people are walking their bikes. By the time I crested the last hill, my own jubilation and fury to finish propelled me to the finish. I was still out too long to make it in time to be counted by the clock. But it was enough to finish. Much like Ben, I felt afterwards that I could accomplish anything then. Check one item off the bucket list.
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