Heading to Hayward Lake Damn
I have been stressed lately. T-minus 8 days before I write my comprehensive exams for my doctorate (eek). I deserved a rest, so today I decided to take most the day off and go for a century ride with local pro rider and FG reader Damien.
In total we did a century ride (100miles/160 km) on the day (Damien, I get an extra 14 km for me to get to and from your house... I win!). He had wanted to ride to Stave Lake as he never rode out that farther East. Since I grew up in that area, guess that makes me a good guide.
We left from Vancouver and took back routes through to Mission and Stave Lake. All in all things were going smoothly, the weather was holding and were we were easily able to outrun the stray dog. Uneventful until we came across the Hayward damn, it started to rain and I decided to throw myself at the pavement.
You see I have gotten rather cocky with my no-hands riding ability in the last year or so. I ride around corners with no hands, at speed on descents and even recently I have been braving things like railroad tracks with no-hands. Often I will ride in the pack with no hands while I get my food or take out my camera to take a couple pictures.
Well today it caught up with me while in the rain. If you know the Hayward Lake damn area in mission, you know the treacherous part when you are crossing the damn where if you don't keep far right you have to cross railroad tracks going on the angle. Well I saw a good picture and I tried to ride that part with no hands while getting my camera out. Needless to say I was not able to hop my bike over the railroad tracks with no hands and be for I knew it I was sliding on my stomach while my camera skittered across the bridge ending up about thirty feet away.
I didn't fair too bad as I didn't quite fall on my hip (backside of my leg) and took a small chunk out of my knee.
This happened half way, but it didn't seem to slow me down too much as I finished the ride just fine. After my debauchery I jumped up quickly and tried to pretend that I didn't do something complete and totally stupid. Ha! The camera also seemed to survive the ordeal, score one for Nikons.
Afterwards, we headed into Mission along the back road (Dewdney). Grabbed a quick hit of caffeine, a very necessary item on any long ride. In endurance riding caffeine is your friend. I am not sure how many people know this, but it has been a long-standing tradition in European pro scene to mix a 50/50 mix of flat coke and water. Its cheap and does you wonders when you are getting tired. No $2 a pop gels needed here.
We then took the main road back into Maple Ridge to hit the Local Ride shop so Damien could cash the gift certificate he won in the time trial from Race the Ridge time trial from a couple weeks ago. A little cinchy if you ask me. You charge $30 for one of the stages, then as the top prize give a $30 gift certificate for winning the Cat 1 (pro/elite) category. When asked what could be bought for the money, they suggested buying tubes and socks.
Lovely, most the "pro" riders out here are not real pros in the sense they have to hold a second job while trying to train 40hrs per week. Most barely scrap out a living. Needless to say they probably have too many free tubes and socks. It was also kinda weird vibe going as there is a long story with that shop and another friend, Ian, who once worked there but had a falling out with the owner. Needless to say, I have a sneaking suspicion that as we left we became the target of their ridicule.
Somehow I got two of these
Anyway back on the road again. Just sweet road riding lay ahead. Well maybe not that sweet, when the heavens opened up and it started to pour. Then just because it wasn't miserable enough I decided to get a flat; an impressive one at that too. Hmmm, after careful inspection I was able to narrow down the culprit (left). Some how I ran over two giant roofing staples. I don't think anything would have stopped those bad boys.
The rest of the ride was wet and miserable as we made our way back into Vancouver. Apart from the teenage punk trying to push Damien into the curve (he had and empty lane to his right and missed touching Damien by about half a foot or so. I had to focus on holding on. Luckily for me Damien has a good foot or so on me so he made a fantastic draft (I should hire you for my commutes!)
All in all, some good times were had.
The Map
The Route
Comments
That route is crazy! glad to hear you were able to finish the ride after getting scraped up.
I'm reading more and more about fixed touring, and It makes me want to try it.
So far I think the longest ride I've done is around 70km.
I think I'll just have to spin over the second narrows this weekend to see where it takes me.
Long rides can be a lot of fun... Just make sure to take water (energy mix, actually helps) and food.
I definitely like the energy mixes. Your body needs glucose to metabolize fat. When you hit "the wall", its because your blood sugar has dipped too low. Energy drinks can counteract this (you don't need to buy name brand crap - homemade does fine too) and you might surprise yourself what you can do in a day when you regulate your food intake. (Peanut butter, bread and honey makes a good energy snack, not to mention a baked potato.)
Your body's metabolism also works more efficiently when you stay hydrated. All in all drink before you are thirsty. When you actually get thirsty it is usually too late. But be careful of energy drinks that are too sugary/salty, they can actually dehydrate you more than hydrate (for example poweraid - total marketing gimic unless you water it waaaay down. Flat coke and water... very cheap and works great.
Banana's are also a good bet as the potassium can help prevent cramping. Also caffeine is well known to have performance enhancing effects, as far as endurance events go.
Finally, you should drink any sugar and caffeine AFTER starting exercise as exercise inhibits both the insulin and diuretic responses associated with sugar and caffeine intake respectively.