Harpoon B2B - CycleOther

So this was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I didn't train up enough for the race and because of that I had two issues. First, I had some issues on the hills. I kept getting dropped on the ascents because I simply didn't train enough on them. The simple solution is to get more hill work in, it's the only way to prepare for ascents like the ones we had today.

The second issue was one of stamina. It's hard to really know what 150 miles on a bike feels like until you've done it, and unfortunately I hadn't done nearly that amount, finishing my training with a max around 70. Another simple solution: longer training sessions.

Those aside, it was a great--if extremely painful--experience. I had some major cramping issues on two different occasions--thankfully a guy I had met on the ride had salt tablets he was nice enough to share--and I did something to my right knee around mile 100 that just got worse and worse. I don't think it's anything serious, but it made the last 25 or so miles much more painful than they should have been.

Training, training and more training. I got some decent miles in these past few months but not nearly enough and not nearly enough hills.

Shower, see the MD in the medical tent to check my knee, then beer and food...exactly what I needed after the ride.


Lack of training, cramping issues, knee injury


I can't say enough about the organization of this event, they put on a fantastic race. They have Mavic on hand to help with mechanical issues, food stations throughout the race, vans driving around to check in on riders, a fantastic post-race celebration, vans back to Boston...they really do a great job with this event. It is much more an 'experience' than a race and they do everything in their power to make sure everyone has a great experience.