Hot Day in the East...

Today was my first day back to the CAF (Challenged Athletes Foundation) group ride which is held almost every Sunday.  I've been doing rides during the week but they have been around 1 to 2 hours long since my second knee operation a few weeks ago.  Today's route was supposed to be 77 miles with 2700 feet of climbing.  Unfortunately I was not in my best condition to be out on a day when the heat so high and a long day in the saddle.

Before we got on the road this morning we had the all important XX1090 Scott and BR Radio Immunity Contest to take care of.  We are down to 7 people at this point.  Today's immunity contest was spin the bottles.  Check it out.  Adam Beck, last years winner, fantastic bike rider and all around great person, put together a really cool device for our challenge this morning.  We spread the group out around the bottle spinner and then, spun the bottle.  Each person it stopped on was eliminated.  The winner was Keith Jensen.  But wait, there's more.  Keith then had to give immunity away.  We had him hold off on telling us until announcements with the rest of the group.

After we gathered all the riders together and talked about the importance of drinking today because it was going to be so darn hot, we had a chance to talk about the contest.  Adam did a great job again of telling everyone where we were at with things.  Finally we asked Keith to tell us who he had select and it was Danielle Weickgenant (why-can-not).  And of course she now has the immunity helmet to decorate.  Chris Glossner has had it for several weeks and this week took out the stops.  I and the entire group was really impressed.  The game is really on now.

OK, back to my story.  So our first SAG (Support and Gear) stop was at mile 26.  I was feeling pretty good there.  I had almost completely emptied my waterbottles so I refilled, hit the bathroom and took in some salty snacks.  Up to this point it had been pretty flat.  We then hit the hills and that is when I noticed I had little to no power on the longer climbs.  My endurance was there but...I was starting to loose touch with the group.  We had a mid point 39 mile stop for water and I filled up again a bottle and half.  Then on the last hill up to SAG at mile 52 I realized I was dying.  I pulled in well over 3 or more minutes behind the last person in my group and immediately went to the shade.  Yep, I knew it was time for me to call it a day and was taken back to the start in Vikki's truck.  It happens and I'm not too unhappy with myself.  My body just wasn't ready yet for that type of a ride.  It just feels bad when you're suppose to be the Ride Leader but thank God we had Mike, Mike, Jack and Adam still in our group to support.

We had our event this week for a few of the Ride Leaders; myself, John Welch, Adam Beck, Todd Northup, and Pat Jack.  We raised over $4600 which was right in line with our goals.  Excellent turnout of people, well over 75.  I think the owner of Toast Martin Gonzalez was pleased with the showing.

Next week, 95 miles and I will be ready.  Mileage this weeks needs to come up along with intensity and climbing.