The TN 300k:
I've ridden this route before - actually last year (2011). It was after that ride last year that I concluded that my heart just wasn't into pursuing another full brevet series (200, 300, 400 and 600k rides), let alone another 1,200. I was totally shattered after finishing that ride last year.
Coming into this ride, I had already survived the AL 200, improved on my TN 200k time from the last time I did that route, and had a good ride on the KY 200, even though the wind was an issue for Steve Rice and I. I felt like I had pretty good legs, and mentally was feeling pretty tough. I think that Alabama ride was what helped in the confidence boost.
I was bummed to hear Steve Phillips report that his day was over, even before leaving the parking lot! He had a pedal that was busted. I suggested that it would then be a good opportunity to do one-leg drills for the day, but he didn't see it that way. I was looking forward to riding with him. Dave Penegar was there, and let me know pretty quick that he was going much easier than we did the TN 200 a few weeks prior. First time randonneur Bob Butsch was there. He's the fiancee of fellow Indy transplant and teammate, Chrysa Malosh. We swapped a number of emails prior to this ride. He is a really strong rider and actually finished just ahead of me. No - a brevet is NOT a race, but I do like to try to improve on my previous times. One of these days I'll learn to not put that pressure on myself. Jeff Bauer was in attendance as well, which was nice. His business has taken big chunks of riding time away, so his form is well below what this 'legend' is capable of.
OH - how can I forget George. George Hiscox is always good for a laugh, and this time was no exception.
For the most part, this is a 'flat' route, with the exception of the big climb up the plateau to Sewanee. On paper, it doesn't look so bad, but this climb seems to really take it out of me. The ride down was nondescript, and had the riders in the lead group sticking together pretty well down to the George Dickell distillery. It was on this climb that Jeff decided to back down the effort, and Bob dropped me to go on ahead with the other, skinny guys that can go uphill better than me. When I finished the climb up to Sewanee, I decided to not have a sit-down lunch and just get my brevet card signed and move on. I could hear thunder, and knew weather could be an issue (it was later on), so decided to move on out. I passed George as he was on his way out, looking to finish solo.
I felt much better than I did at the turnaround last year, and was looking forward to seeing if I could finish ahead of the weather.
With about 100k left in the ride, Bob and another rider caught up to me. They had a nice lunch up in Sewanee but really made good time on the way back. I just couldn't keep up with them in the rolling terrain, so let them ride off ahead.
When making my way by the Dickell distillery on the return trip, I saw a bike saddle laying in the road. My first thought was, "oh dear, someone has been hit by a car!" I rode back and forth along the ditch, and when convinced that wasn't the case, set my sights on getting back to Nashville. After riding about 20 miles or so, I saw a rider up in the distance.. it looked like George (it was).. it looked like he was standing and pedaling (he was).. Oh damn. That was his saddle that was laying in the road! What other rider would willingly ride 100k with NO saddle? George Hiscox, that's who! I couldn't wait to get up to him and needle him about it and hear the story. For those that don't ride much, standing and pedaling isn't a big deal for a while. But for 60 miles? NO friggin' way would I do that. At one of the last controls I tried to convince him to at least buy a roll of paper towels to somehow rig up to give him some relive and sit - even if for a few moments here and there. No dice. It's George, after all. The looks he got from the locals when trying to explain not only what we were doing, but why he didn't have a seat on his bike.
With about 40 to go, I could see storm clouds behind me. Then lightning. LOTS of lightning! I put the hammer down as much as I could at that point, but no luck. With about 20 miles to go, it rained.. HARD. Great big fat rain. As I was nearing the Brentwood area, Wilson Pike was closed due to a vehicle smacking a utility pole. I sought refuge under the awning of a church with two other riders. After the rain passed, we rode in together.
For the data geeks, below is the Strava info. Click and enjoy!
The KY 300k:
OK - to keep this post to a respectable length, I'll not belabor the details of this ride. A couple of things to note, though.
Fellow randonneur Todd Willams and Alex Meade were out ahead of all of us (like usual), in the predawn light. Todd was hit from behind by a vehicle going about 60mph - and he then took Alex out. I'm grateful that my good friend Micah wasn't with them, as he may not be with US anymore.
The car:
OH - forgot to mention that this driver, after hitting Todd and leaving him laying for dead in the middle of the road. TOOK OFF. About 15 minutes later he decided it would be a good idea to come back to the scene.
A bike wheel should be round, right? Here is the rear wheel post-impact:
Todd is back on the bike, albeit with a broken back, and the lingering possibility of losing a kidney. Alex stayed at the scene until the police officer on the scene took Todd back to the start. That put him about 45 minutes behind me and my riding partner on that day, Mark Rougeux - yeah, being the bona fide badass that he is, Alex, after nearly being killed in an accident got back on the bike and actually caught up with Mark and I about 30 miles after the halfway point. Insane! Ultimately, I rode the rest of the ride with Alex, and we had great conversation about all things biking and non-biking. I typically see Alex only for a few minutes before a ride starts and he and the really fast guys take off like a shot. It's amazing that he even could ride after that, but was really feeling sore by the end of the ride.
Thank god Micah wasn't with them. Also am so grateful that Todd survived and will be okay. The kicker? The driver, after nearly killing a man, leaving the scene (but coming back... assuming it was him that was driving) - was cited for 'INATTENTION'. That's just obscene. Come on Kentucky - get it right!
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