A 400k, while doable for any cyclist that's in decent form with some experience in riding some centuries, is still what I consider to be 'big boy distance'. Any time I'm going to be in the saddle for 200+ miles I need to be prepared for more than just a flat or needing an extra gel.
There was a good showing of about 14 people for this ride, which included the shorter 200 and 300k distance options. I think there were 2 additional riders that chose to do only the 200k distance. Typically there would be more, but Kentucky was holding their 400k on that same day. Today's ride was a simple out and back route on the Natchez Trace, which makes it nearly impossible to get lost, but mind numbing in the eternal 'sameness' that is the visual stimulation on the Trace. I like to say that I would rather yank out my fingernails with pliers than to spend all day riding the Natchez Trace. Still though, I willingly signed up for this ride even though the Kentucky folks had their 400k going on the same day. And since I'm on a spending lockdown right now, I chose not to invest in the fuel to drive to KY and back.
Weather. Hmph. Hard for it to not be a factor on a 250 mile bike ride. There was rain before the start, and some light showers for the first 40 or 50 miles. I finally remembered to bring a camera and actually USE it on the ride. Here is a poor shot of the pre-ride wetness. Exciting, right? Ready to ride? It's dark, about as warm as it will be all day (right about 50 degrees), and we'll have a headwind the whole way home, but don't worry - it'll be great!
Some of the usual cast of characters were here for this ride. Bob Hess, was riding fixed gear and sticking to the 200k route. Dave Penegar, making it clear he had no interest in riding 'hard' for 18-20 hours. Jeff Bauer, working to reclaim his form which was stolen by a busy work schedule. Noticeably absent was George Hiscox, which really bummed me out. I needed some of the comedic relief guaranteed to be offered by the simple presence of George.
The ride started with Jeff Sammons' usual, 'okay, go on' - which it seemed we all were just too excited to get out to the Trace. /sarcasm
For clothing, I opted for a simple short sleeve baselayer, arm warmers, vest, knee warmers and thought that maybe I would need a lightweight wind jacket later at night. I was all geared up, with the Shimano dynohub and Pedalpower+ charging unit to give the Garmin unit a shot of juice later in the day. I like my gizmos to be able to work, and typically my GPS unit will last just to the end of a 400k, but ya never know if something may come up, delaying me on the road.
I spent the first 10-15 miles chatting with Jeff Bauer but due to the nature of sticking to our own comfortable pace, found myself bridging up to Bob Hess whom was spinning away nicely on his fixie. Bob and I chatted for the next 15 or 20 miles, but soon the wind was at my back, and with a nice downhill I was off the front riding solo into the drizzle and dreariness.
After this point, there isn't really too much of interest to report. I realized there was nobody in front of me, and I was fine with that. I felt pretty good on the bike and figured I would get caught on the return trip by some riders that were working together in the headwind, which while wasn't the most vicious, was enough to kinda piss me off, especially when fatigue becomes a factor. I hoped, however that I would be able to finish the ride solo, at the front of the pack since I had never done that before. I have been with the first pack of riders to finish a brevet, but never solo.
Let me get this straight: A brevet is NOT a race. What I'm talking about is a simple game I play in my own head to make things interesting and stay motivated. Had folks like Bauer and others thought for a second it was a 'race' of any sort - I would have been ground up and spit out the back of the pack like usual.
I did snap a couple of pics while passing over the Tennessee River:
My first experience with the Tennessee River came with this crazy attempt at a 600k with very little in the way of 'form' for riding the way I did. I still have a bone to pick with the Trace, and maybe that's one of the things that lends to this foul taste in my mouth when folks mention riding on it?
OK - so, temps never really warmed, even though the rain stopped. I saw my shadow only once the whole day. After the turnaround, I was able to gauge the gaps I had on the rest of the riders, and offered words of encouragement to each as I passed them. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, and there was one large group sticking together, most likely to the end. I felt bad for some of the folks that would be out on the course well over 20-24 hours. I knew the temps were going to drop more than expected since it never warmed to the upper 50's as promised. At the last control (checkpoint) I bought a pair of jersey gloves in preparation of it getting even chillier. I had set out some gloves, but in my pre-ride haste, decided I wouldn't need any gloves on this day. (wrong) As I prepared to roll out of the control, Jeff Bauer and his riding partner pulled in, and he was concerned with the falling temps as well. I pay close attention to what Jeff has to say, as he's a highly accomplished and respected randonneur.
"The Perpetual Fifty" is what I called the last 50 miles of this ride. Hilly enough to tax the legs after 200 miles, a bit of headwind... a tad chilly.. It was easy to get just a bit ticked off from fatigue and the desire to just get this ride 'in the can' and get a warm shower and some sleep. The only meaningful event was an armadillo darting in front of me, as much as an armadillo can 'dart'. A quick hop and I was up and over the obstacle.
Critter count:
LOTS of dead armadillos
1 live armadillo
1 'cat' of some sort - and not the domestic type
4 deer
3 dogs that appeared to have been dumped on the Trace
2 possum
Haiku's written:
None. I wasn't in a haiku mood on that day.
Mechanical issues:
Not a one.
Stat folks - here ya go:
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