A somewhat diminished group (due to illness and vacation) gathered in Hampshire on Saturday to run the course one last time. Weather was fine at the outset but the south(east?) wind and heat increased throughout the day. We wished to have nailed the sucker but that was not to be - 4 riders did complete in 4:53 rolling time, with one other rider limping in some minutes later, maybe after 5:00 but who was counting by then?
The good news is that the group dynamic has really improved - all pulling well together and communicating quickly when needed. People are getting used to each others' styles and we are adjusting our pulls to what can keep the pace yet not wear us out. Also getting to know the route quite intimately -- and getting better at knowing when to "esch" - as in, form an echelon....
Rest stops were not as quick as desired but we picked it up a lot and started eating on the bike more.
We missed our absent comrades, especially on the third lap. It was 100 degrees on the course by then with a head wind (Rule 5 I know) and with only 5 of us still standing (sitting) in the group I finally hit the wall at about mile 96. The 4 others went ahead and I dragged myself home, feeling really feverish since I couldn't dispel the heat I was producing.. Never so glad to see that water tower!!! Two others also still on the course a little further back pulled themselves the rest of the way home too against the grinding wind.
The kits got a thumbs up when another group (strangely, going the other direction) called out "nice uniforms!" and Hugo joined us for one lap
All in all I think it was a surprisingly good day and bodes well for the big game.
Felix's report:
First - the bad news. We did not finish with Sub-5 time ;-(
Second - the good news. Upon dissection of the Garmin data, I think we did fairly well. I started a new lap every time we got out of the parking lot on Big Timber and stopped it when we got back to the parking lot entrance. The times are as follow:
Lap # 1 Distance 33.64 miles Time 1:33:46
Lap #2 Distance 33.59 miles Time 1:37:23
Lap #3 Distance 33.53 miles Time 1:40:39
Total Distance 100.76 miles
Total Riding Time - around 4:51:52
The extra 0.76 miles which we rode since we did three full laps instead of the sligthly shorter 3rd one on the real ride, is probably worth close to 2:30 minutes.
On the ride:
Felix
Mike
Phil
George
Herb
Bob
Dave
Hugo
Gary
Heidi
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