Sugarloaf with the kids

This past weekend the family went hiking on Sugarloaf Mountain. I always like to go there, nice and rocky close to home and the kids have a blast. It's no Old Rag or other popular hiking spots but being 20 minutes away is hard to beat. This year the place was loaded with acorns, it was kind of funny since Nick wanted to pick each one up and hand it to me. Couldn't explain to him that there were millions of them!

Back on the saddle

Yesterday was the first day I was back on a bike since the SM100. Not really planned, but between running around, the weather and being at the beach all weekend there really was no time. Did my normal commute, 18 miles on the Redline 925 and it felt good. Tonight I'm hoping to do the MORE Thursday night Schaeffer ride. Busy few weeks coming up...

Next weekend - back country hiking with my brother at the Mon
First weekend in October - the Seagull Century. I keep thinking this is going to be really easy, I might pay for that... :)

11 months 25 days 19 hours...

That's right, I'm doing it again and this time I will finish. No car waiting for me at CP4.

SM100 Recap

Short story, I decided to stop at 4 based on the lack of strength in the legs and an aching knee. Starting to second guess that decision some, but overall I really did meet my goal that I set out at the beginning of the year (50 miles, be ready for the SM100 in 2008).

Lessons learned:
- You can't quit ever, its too easy
- Don't have a nice comfortable car waiting for you at stop 4
- Stop thinking (well, I don't think I learned this one)

Long story...
Start to Check point 1
This was a fairly easy trek of 11 or so miles. I was going at a pretty steady but slow pace to make sure that I didn't start too fast. Lots of flat tires and mechanicals. Must of been 3 broken chains in the first five miles. Got to checkpoint one at 7:52am. Right on plan. Stopped for a minute to get some water and then off I went.

Check point 1 to Check point 2
The next checkpoint was at 31 miles so I knew I just had to take it easy. A good portion of the beginning was road even though about 1/2 was uphill before we went to the singletrack up Lynn. Ouch, not having pre-rode the course I didn't realize how steep it was. Walked alot of it and towards the top I got a really bad cramp in both hamstrings. GREAT! All I need this early (17 miles) into the race. Started popping endurolytes like candy and taking it real easy and managed to make them disappear. The wolf down hill was pretty fun although not worth the climb up Lynn. The rest of the way was road to #2. At 2 I refilled my sustained energy bottle got some water and took off again. It was 10:30am and I was 30 minutes ahead of schedule.

Check point 2 to Check point 3
This was the Hanky climb that I was not looking forward to. Luckily the climb that we rode before was not that difficult and I did rather well, what I didn't expect is how much was left to the top once we took the right. Walked a good bit of it and started noticing my knee was hurting pretty good. Popped some advil at the top to see if it would go away. The downhill after Hanky was a blast especially towards the bottom. The top was pretty beat up from the number of bikes and didn't have much room for error. Drifted in to 3 at around 1:30pm, still 30 minutes ahead of schedule.

Check point 3 to Check point 4
The road to the beginning of the Mountain House trail really pointed out how tired I was. I was having trouble putting any real power down on the road. I was also feeling the knee pretty good now even with the Advil. The Mountain House trail was a good 2 mile hike a bike. Besides a few places I walked most of it. The downhill into 4 was pretty sweet though. Pulled into 4 at 2:30pm, 30 minutes ahead of schedule.

The end...
Well I was going to quit at 4, but I managed to get ready and headed out to 5. Got about a mile on the road when I realized I just don't have the legs to make it to 5 and even if I did, I don't think I could drag my ass back. Not wanting to have another biker stuck at the most remote stop I decided to pack it in. I'm still good with that decision, but I wonder what would of happened if I went on. There were plenty of people that tired it after me looking much worse than I did, some made it to 5, I didn't see any make it to the end, but I have to suspect a few did.

Anyway, I got a good base for whatever I decide to do next year. To put it in context this was the longest I have ever been on a bike and the longest mountain bike ride I have ever done.

Route I did:

Ugh...

So I got what I suspected for the last 24 hours, a slight cold. Its not one that I would even notice but its enough to have me worried. I think it will just be a sore throat and I hope it doesn't take too much energy away. Pop a few more vitamin c pills tonight and get a good rest and hope for the best.

Set to go...

Well, I'm pretty much packed. Need to recharge the lights and get some ice but besides that ready to go. Pulled a muscle in my neck last night playing with the kids, doesn't seem to be that bad though. Good luck to all those going and thanks to the volunteers that will make this possible. Hope to meet some of you there.

2 days 22 hours

Today is a zen day. I feel relaxed, the legs are starting to feel strong and I'm not anxious like the last few days. Looking forward to some real good weather and some good riding. I've stopped over planning and decided to drop the bag at 3 instead of 2/6. I have plenty of food so its just a matter of spinning the bike and enjoying the scenery.