Sunday, June 29, 2008

Big Ride - Day 7 - Sandpoint, ID to Thompson Falls, MT

We finished our first week! We also crossed into a new state: Montana!

It was a pretty rough day. I woke up and didn't really want to ride. I was slow to get packed up, get breakfast, and that resulted in being one of the last out of camp. The beginning ride was gorgeous of course. Idaho really has some of the best scenery I've ever seen. The mountains, lakes, rivers, and valleys look like they are right out of a painting.

About 20 miles into the trip my left leg was starting to ache. The only way I could sum up the pain is that it was similar to shin splints, but this time it was all in the left side of my calf and back of my knee.

22 miles in I realized that it must be my seat height. I removed my seat post on our rest day to see if my rack was making it crack and must have put it in a little high. After two tweaks and icing at the next rest stop (half way point) I was starting to feel good. The rest stop was also a blast since me, Austin, Ed, Rachel, Chad, Greg, and Simon sat around over an hour just relaxing and joking around. I actually passed out for about 5 minutes on the picnic table since I was beat from only getting 7 hours of sleep. Yes, I now realize it takes 8 hours to do this ride comfortably, and probably 9 if you want to really perform.

Anyway, after some caffeine we were back on the road. Rest stops were every 20 miles, with water fill ups every 10. That worked out great seeing as the day started to hit the 100+ degree mark. The last 20-30 miles of the trip went pretty fast as I was loaded on caffeine and looking to get a shower ASAP. When I finally got into Thompson Falls, MT it was about 120 degrees F.

Some other highlights:

  • Early morning 1 mile pace line drills with Austin and Ed
  • Welcome to Montana sign
  • 1-2 hour rest stop to joke around and relax
  • Ruffles are awesome for salt
  • Redbull and caffeine cure everything
  • Ice cream bars at 3rd rest stop (thanks Ed!)
  • Pouring ice water on our heads for instant cool down.
  • Ice towel at last water stop... brilliant idea Mark!
  • Never realizing I could bike like that in 100+ heat.

Final Ride Stats

Mileage:
91.67 miles
Time:
5:47'00
Avg Speed:
15.8 mph
Max Speed:
33.6 mph

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posted by Joe @ 8:48 PM

1 Comments:

At July 2, 2008 1:10 AM , Blogger Andy Lasseter said...

ANDY 2007 Alum from Day 1- Way to go Joe! Sounds like you are into the Big Ride spirit. I knew you were one of the strong riders and i was worried about you pushing to hard and missing the experience. Obvioulsy you have embraced it. I love the story of jumping off the dock, feet in the lake, taking an hour long break jsut to goof around.

That is what the Big Ride is all about. Yeah you can ride fast and hard. But enjoying the world and celebrated each day as a gift with some bike ride mixed in. That is the BIG RIDE!

You're doing it! Live it. Love it.

Takemore pictures. Can't ever have enough.
Andy

 

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