Kinda late posting this. Ok, a LOT late but really want the documentation so I can compare to next year. Only 3 women signed up for the solo which just makes a female solo rider feel pretty amazing.
Woke up about early enough to get to the start on time. While en route, I realized I had calculated my arrival time for Lowman and not 15-20 miles north. So, it would be a little tight. The guy directing the start asked if I knew that I was starting soon-in like 10 minutes and I confirmed.
I also misunderstood what a "sag" is for. It is not for fuel or anything else besides carrying a rider and their bike who decide to drop. So, I took two bottles of fuel with me and left the others in my SUV and planned to refuel in Stanley. The guy who parked next to me had his wife as crew. She agreed to bring my overnight bag to the finish for me. This was another newbie error on my part. The website isn't helpful and I wasn't aware that there wouldn't be a way to transport the overnight bag to the finish.
Headed out at 10:25 and on my way up Banner Summit. It's a long and steady grind. It never is really steep but it's a 12 mile ascent and peak at above 7000 feet. I could periodically feel the elevation in a somewhat increased heart rate and random dizziness but tolerated it ok. I kept my pace and cadence steady and focused on controlling heart rate. Banner is a very long climb that is never really steep. The grade is a little more than Bogus but shorter. At 10 miles or so into the climb, I asked a couple relay guys who passed me how much farther to the summit and it was less than 2. I ride 2 miles almost every day so it became mentally doable.
I began to have ITB issues around the halfway point up. I got off the bike a couple times to stretch without much success for the long term but it did help for a few miles at a time.
I got to Stanley and stopped at the gas station for more fuel. The two bottles I had worked quite well for the 40 miles. The product with the most fuel per punch would be a Mountain Dew. I don't drink soda on a daily basis-at all-but it would have to do. I grabbed a sports bar and the Dew which I split between bottles and topped with water and away I went.
The next piece of the ride is a gradual incline in a valley that often has a crosswind and we weren't disappointed. At times my pace would slow to an awe inspiring 12 mph. This was about a 20 mile stretch. I went past several of the exchanges for the relay. The energy in the exchange stations was fun. The crew for the teams and other solos would cheer everyone on and it was very motivating.
After this stretch is the climb up Galena. It's about 4.5-5 miles and the gain is almost 1500 feet. This was my first century ride and the climb at this point in the ride was a little rough. On the prior section, I bailed off bike again and worked the ITB and actually got it to chillax which made this climb manageable however. At the top, you begin a 30 mile awesome descent. What an incredible moment the beginning of the descent was.
I got to my hotel and the guy whose wife drove my stuff up left it at the front desk, which was awesome. I really had no idea how I was getting back to my SUV the next day. After talking with 2 people at the hotel check-in, I was able to hook up for a ride back.
This was really a great ride and can't wait to do next year. I would like to do it as a 2 person 200 mile relay. I have spoken with George's cycles and they say "possible" but maybe not "probable" as the riders are in a rolling enclosure. So, if I can't get it approved then will do the solo again. Simply can't wait. This is a highly recommended ride and reportedly one of the toughest centuries around.
Superstar
