Tour de Cure 2009 Ride Report

Saturday June 6th
5h 32m 41s
108.37 miles
19.54 Mi/hr
8:00 AM

Climb: 3396 feet

A fun day in the saddle. Well, for the most part except the 8.7 most depressing miles I've ever ridden through Fort Bragg. One of the locals said it all: "There are 10 hills. You will not like them." She was right. Each one was approximately like the big hill on 42 on the Duke Half route. Absolutely no scenery. It wasn't like you could get a big run down the backside of it either, as it was a gradual descent into a long ascent. That loop just sucked the life out of me.Paul and I were holding 21+ through 65 miles, then the loop began in Southern Pines. I really struggled in that section. I got off the bike at about 80 miles, pretty much thinking I was done for the day. For most of the day it was Paul and I on the lead, with Sid and Ryan not far behind. After the 60-mile stop, Sid was with us. When we started the climbs through Fort Bragg, Sid dropped off. When I stopped, he went on by (he did ask if I was okay). I did not recatch them until the stop at 90 miles, where they were waiting for me. Paul was still very strong at that point, and Sid was too. I was not. I told them to go on. It ended up that Sid and I and one other guy rode in together, about 8 minutes after Paul finished the ride. He was right at 20mph, which included the portion that he was riding slow with me after the 90-mile stop.I had nothing to offer after about 70 miles today. Oddly enough, my long ride up to this point was something like 66 miles...coincidence?I was so looking forward to the Moe's burrito buffet at the finish. Well, it was completely wiped out by 2pm. We arrived about 2:30. All the 75-milers mealed on it. So, we headed over to Sonic and I got a Oreo sonic blast. Mmmm, mmmm, good. Then we had a few beers before dinner, then a light dinner (not enough cooks, too many people), then headed over to Panera for "2nd dinner". Hung out at the party tent afterwards for a bit, then called it a night about 9pm. Asleep by 9:30. Great day in the saddle, except for the Fort Bragg part.

Sunday, June 7th
4h 14m 08s
80.90 miles
19.10 Mi/hr
7:00 AM

A very nice "recovery" pace ride. We were the lead group coming back for the 75 (81)-mile route. Started near mid-pack, then we worked to the front of the pack pretty quick (like within 5 miles). Stayed on with them through 20 miles, when I needed to relieve some coffee. So Paul and I and one other guy stopped, for about 1:30. It took us 3 miles to recatch the pack, but we did, and rode with the dwindling group for the rest of the day. A great day for a ride. Temperature was great, wind was almost nonexistent, but we all agreed to make this recovery pace. Heartrate was probably less than 130 for most of the day easily.Of course, we had the obligatory sprint finish. The 2 Cady Construction roadracers, followed by Paul, then me, then 2 more. Nice finish.