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Rob

Tomorrow

Ready to Roll

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2009 RTC Ride

So this was my first bike event - I had no idea what to expect, only that I felt that I trained hard and was ready for the ride.

We started at 6:30am from Downtown Las Vegas and headed down mainstreet to Washington and east on Washington. The first 8 miles went so fast, I kept watching the speed and I was doing 20-25 the entire time. Since it was still a little dark it was cold, but after 2 miles or so I didn't notice.

The field strecthed out a bit once we reached Hollywood and then we turned east on Lake Mead and had to go over Sunrise Mtn. I mapped the ride on mapmyride.com and didn't think that this particular hill would be too bad, but it was 3 miles up hill and I really had to work to get over the top.

Once over the top it was full speed ahead down the backside of the mtn. I reached up to 35 and only pedaled when it actually did anything. This lead me to the first rest-stop of the day at mile 18.

I stopped off for a quick water, a bannana and a peanut butter cookie. Everyone else that had passed me or was ahead of me stopped and seemed to hang out for along stretch of time. I stayed about 4 min and moved on down the hill.

At the end of Lake Mead there is a good climb up to North Shore Drive and then downhill for a short run followed by another climb. The road leveled out and had a short climb up to Lakeshore drive. At this point I was feeling pretty good and was able to hang with all the Expensive Road bikes - I ride a Trek Hybrid so it may not be geared for hills, but does great int he flat and down hill.

Lakeshore drive started out down hill but quickly had 2 tough hills then leveled out for a few miles before the last down hill by boulder beach - now it got tough.

I reached the Ranger station leading into the park on the boulder city side of Lake Mead at the 30 mile mark or so - the climb up to Hwy 93 was very steep and I had to walk my bike about a quarter mile. Once on the Hwy it was about 2 miles to the rest stop - Mile 34. I quickly drank some water - had another bananna and ate several of my fig newtons that I brought along. After about 5 min and not wanting to think about the next 5-6 miles I headed out. The Stretch from Mile 34 to Mile 42 was up the hill into Boulder City - If you ever went to the Hoover Dam you went down this hill.

I started out pretty good - several people passed me, but I just kept my head down and kept on pedaling. I don't know how long it took but I know I only averaged 5-6 miles per hour during this stretch of the road. Once I turned right on Industrial and made another climb and reached the top I knew that the rest of the ride was mine. I felt very confident at this point. I was tired from the climb, but not winded or feeling like I couldn't go another 20 miles. The next few miles went by fast due to the down hill slope of the road.

I ended up on Hwy 93 heading toward RailRoad pass and hooked up with several other riders. I felt good as all the riders were riding the 118 mile track. I knew this because they had blue numbers. Everyone with Red numbers were with the 62 mile group. I stuck with this group all the way to the next rest-stop at mile 50. I stopped for a quick brake (too much water) then headed out. Many people seemed to be stopping for longer periods. I just didn't feel I needed to stop. I ate a couple of fig newtons every 5 miles and drank my gatoraide and felt good.

Now it was down Boulder Hwy back to downtown for the last 12 miles. The climb was slightly uphill, but with now wind it really was not too bad. By this time it was getting hot - I noticed only once I actually crossed Charleston as the air just seemed dead. One small last climb, a quick right before getting to Las Vegas Blvd then a quick left and then accross the Strip. The road was level now and I just focused on getting through the streets until the turn off of Main and onto Ogden. Now it was a quick run down to the RTC building and across the finish. I finished in 4:49. Not too bad -considering all the lights on Boulder Hwy.

I quickly parked my bike, grabbed the lunch provided by Outback and called Claudine to come pick me up. I considered riding home but was too tired at that point to add 10 more miles.

The event was well run - well laid out and well supported. I can't wait until next year. 118 is the goal. I'm very happy that I completed this ride it felt very good to accomplish a challenging ride my first time out.

see how it goes. I bought new shorts yesterday they should make a difference.

Getting ready to hit 40 today. Its early on Sunday and hjust a little windy but not to bad. I was going to ride up to Kyle Canyon road today. I guess we will

30 miles today. Need to woorkuo to 60