Morning wake up weigh in had me at 216lbs. Argggg! Knew that was going to be a factor on the climb...Started out in the back 1/3 of Recreation riders. Figure to start out easy and pick off all the Jackrabbits. The first climb about a half mile out of Glacier, I got stuck in the big ring and had to grind. Watched a bunch of people that were shifting under strain and throwing their chains off the rings.

Got into the aero position on the downhills and passed some, so the first 4 miles were ok, than the first long climb put a burn on me....Went down to the lowest gear and wished I had my triple. Couldn't get a fast cadence going, had people passing me with sneakers using the old strap in pedals.
Just kept repeating to myself that I'm in a different age bracket and I'm a CLYDESDALE big time today.
Had some flat area around the 10 mile area, ate a Powergel and kept drinking ZippFizz. I never ride in a pack, either left behind or I leave people. I'm a Lone Wolf Rider/runner(?)

Started up the final climb using the lowest two gears (not much difference in the feel) but it felt better if I got out of the saddle.

They had a 8 year old kid riding the route, started an hour before the Rec Division (dad owns a Bandito Burritos restaurant and a big time bike rider & sponsor) I passed them around the 16 mile mark. He did finish.

Got up to the final 5 KM to go signs, and kept trying to figure out how many miles that was. Plus I knew there were some serious switchbacks coming up. Had an old guy that had passed me but he would never move to the right, hogged the road (noticed alot of this, people riding in the middle of the road)
Just kept pumping at the pedals, saw my wife at the final climb, tried to smile, but I was toast. Harder than last year, time was also slower.

Loose weight, train harder on some climbs. Afterwards I kept thinking of how I kept thinking of pacing and not blowing up by going all out? Couple times when making the turns on the switchbacks, had the feeling of "crap I can barely turn the pedals over" plus my back was tighting up. I was doing alot of rocking of the body to get momentum.

Need to re-evaluate a training program if I ride this next year. LTS owner who is also doing IM Canada next year said that is the training ride to prepare for Canada. Oh Joy!

Smootched wife and petted the dog who was all hyper. Took some pictures and slipped in the snow bank an felt like I stretched a groin/butt muscle.




Weight, lack of training (Quality/Quanity and type-more long hill grinds?)
Gearing?
Want to do better If I do this again. Be more aggressive, but concerns about the blow up is spooky.


4th year of event, only the second year was a rainy one. I think they had at least 500 riders (said on website that was the limit and they had that many signed up).

Pretty cool to see alot of different bikes and bike kits.