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This story is about the Ride Across Indiana. 160 miles, one day, one way, West to East. https://www.rainride.org/
My RAIN history
Over the course of several years, I have ridden the RAIN ride 3 other times. My first time at riding 160 miles across the state was challenging. (2014) Finishing 11:38 @ 948th place. The next year I trimmed off one hour riding a little faster and not needing a long break at the last SAG (10:01 @ 461st place). The next year I rode with a hopped-up Q. Finishing just under 10 hours. (9:55 @ 553rd place)
Last year I trained for Sebring in February (2017). My fitness was at an improved state and I was eager to push my PR lower. It turns out it wouldn't be in the cards. I went to register at the event the night before and they changed that ability. NO RIDE FOR YOU, the ride Nazi said. I was crushed. (crushed was very understated)
That following fall I bought a V20 frame to ride at Sebring 2018.
This year with my strong legs and my faster steed, I signed up for the event 2 days before the deadline. The weather forecast was rainy with a 10 mph tail wind. All things were looking good for Saturday.
Ready to lay down a good number.
Race day
Prior to the race start, riders will line up on a road. In the grass there are signs like, Sub 7 hour finishers line up here, Sub 8.... Sub 9.... and If you just hope to finish start here. I started there my first year. This year I lined up in the seeded riders area. If I had a great ride I could finish it just under 8 hours. That would 21.5 mph with breaks. I have also found that it is easier to calculate results than riding them.
7am the ride started. My game plan was to keep my watts under 220 on the flats and 270 on hills. In past rides, my energy is a fading commodity. I wanted to throttle myself to preserve my energy. As we left West Terre Haute, I was anxious to pass where possible without working hard. About a mile in, a guy rolled up beside me and said, “What a surprise!”. I looked over and it was another rider on a Vendetta, yellow with a polished fork. He introduced himself as Daryl. He was on a mission and didn't tarry. Following my game plan, I could only watch him as he went on ahead.
As we got out into the country side, I noticed the sky was cloudy. That is a real bonus when you are riding East into the sun. It wasn't too long after, things became wet. I didn't mind at all. Wet or 80+ degrees. I'll take wet.
30 miles in, still on the plan. Pace was great, close to 23mph. We were riding on a lightly traveled 4 lane highway (US 40 "the national road"). The bikes were in the right lane. A large group of Df's rolled past me. I was on the white line and they were 2 abreast, 3 with me. After 20 rolled by, the terrain changed, and I was passing them. I couldn't get to their left, I began saying “on your right”. When I made it to the front, someone told me that I shouldn't pass on the right. I told him I couldn't get to the left. I almost told him to ride faster. I'm glad I bit my tongue. On a long hill they all rolled past. With a downhill ahead I got in the left lane and rolled by them at 44mph. At the bottom of the hill I made it to the front and went back to the white line. I didn't like riding with the group. It was fine when they rolled away.
It continued to sprinkle and mist.
I enjoyed the rain. It was like manna from heaven. It kept me cool.
I noticed my computer mount was not in its usual position on my handlebar. The clamp came loose and on down the road it fell off onto my lap. I tucked it under my jersey and put the screw in my pocket. All at 23 mph. I made it to the 2nd SAG stop, first for me, and someone had an allen wrench and installed the mount. Fresh water and away I went. 10 mins ahead of schedule.
The first leg of nonstop riding behind me. The next 30 miles will be going around Indianapolis. Traffic, stop signs and stop lights are in the future. As I rolled along I reflected on rides past. Usually it is about 11am, sunny and 80f. My power begins to fade in the sun. Not today, the mist kept me from feeling any fatigue yet. It was empowering.
Halfway across town a smaller group of riders caught me at a light. Riding with this group was different than before. It made stop signs easier. We would cross as one group. I would be at the back waiving to the waiting drivers shouting thank you. Just one driver was impatient.
We made it across town to SAG3. I had enough water, I just needed a PBJ sandwich and I was back on the road. Back to the rural countryside, less traffic and stop signs. I continued to chase down and pass riders. The plan was still working. Fatigue low and speed still averaging 22.5. Still ahead of schedule.
I made it to SAG4. 110 miles in. My wife Lisa was waiting with water refills and a coke. I drank 1/2 the coke and took off. I had 50 miles ahead of me and most of that is on a lightly traveled highway. This was a little more open than the country roads.
I made it to SAG 5. The last sag. I was a little confused as I approached it. Usually I'm further back in the ride and this sag is a zoo. Cars are parked everywhere waiting for their riders to show up. When I approached, it was a ghost town. Refilled the water bottle, filled the port-a-potty and away I went.
This last segment of the ride I had waited for all day. Not just because it was the end, because there's 28 miles left, 15 are pan flat. Also, it allowed me to wad up the game plan and come off the leash. Quite a bit of the flat area was spent in the mid 20's. (40 for you metrics) In the last 8 miles, there are 2 long hills. I was looking forward to these also. After 150 miles these can wear you down or rev you up. I chose the later. I began climbing the first. Slowly watching the riders in front of me become closer. I passed them on the way down to the bottom of the second hill. I was half way up the second hill when I began emptying water bottles to lighten to load. With the 2 hills behind there were 2 miles left. I kept the pressure on the pedals. Surprisingly I passed very few riders.
I finished at 7:38, 79th place of 1042, 22 minutes ahead of my stretch number of 8 hrs. Also 2:20 in ahead of my fastest time. I was thrilled. Lisa commented about my mood was good. Usually I’m baked and ground to a pulp. Not this time.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1724488988
After the ride, @DARYLHANGER945 found me and we talked about our rides. He rode with the leaders quite a bit and finished 45 minutes ahead of me. He's a strong rider. His bike is one of @ratz 's hand-me-downs. He also talked about going to some HPV races with @LarryOz the following weekend.
I would have to say that my effort coupled with many other stars aligning made for a day I don’t expect to eclipse for some time.
My RAIN history
Over the course of several years, I have ridden the RAIN ride 3 other times. My first time at riding 160 miles across the state was challenging. (2014) Finishing 11:38 @ 948th place. The next year I trimmed off one hour riding a little faster and not needing a long break at the last SAG (10:01 @ 461st place). The next year I rode with a hopped-up Q. Finishing just under 10 hours. (9:55 @ 553rd place)
Last year I trained for Sebring in February (2017). My fitness was at an improved state and I was eager to push my PR lower. It turns out it wouldn't be in the cards. I went to register at the event the night before and they changed that ability. NO RIDE FOR YOU, the ride Nazi said. I was crushed. (crushed was very understated)
That following fall I bought a V20 frame to ride at Sebring 2018.
This year with my strong legs and my faster steed, I signed up for the event 2 days before the deadline. The weather forecast was rainy with a 10 mph tail wind. All things were looking good for Saturday.
Ready to lay down a good number.
Prior to the race start, riders will line up on a road. In the grass there are signs like, Sub 7 hour finishers line up here, Sub 8.... Sub 9.... and If you just hope to finish start here. I started there my first year. This year I lined up in the seeded riders area. If I had a great ride I could finish it just under 8 hours. That would 21.5 mph with breaks. I have also found that it is easier to calculate results than riding them.
7am the ride started. My game plan was to keep my watts under 220 on the flats and 270 on hills. In past rides, my energy is a fading commodity. I wanted to throttle myself to preserve my energy. As we left West Terre Haute, I was anxious to pass where possible without working hard. About a mile in, a guy rolled up beside me and said, “What a surprise!”. I looked over and it was another rider on a Vendetta, yellow with a polished fork. He introduced himself as Daryl. He was on a mission and didn't tarry. Following my game plan, I could only watch him as he went on ahead.
As we got out into the country side, I noticed the sky was cloudy. That is a real bonus when you are riding East into the sun. It wasn't too long after, things became wet. I didn't mind at all. Wet or 80+ degrees. I'll take wet.
30 miles in, still on the plan. Pace was great, close to 23mph. We were riding on a lightly traveled 4 lane highway (US 40 "the national road"). The bikes were in the right lane. A large group of Df's rolled past me. I was on the white line and they were 2 abreast, 3 with me. After 20 rolled by, the terrain changed, and I was passing them. I couldn't get to their left, I began saying “on your right”. When I made it to the front, someone told me that I shouldn't pass on the right. I told him I couldn't get to the left. I almost told him to ride faster. I'm glad I bit my tongue. On a long hill they all rolled past. With a downhill ahead I got in the left lane and rolled by them at 44mph. At the bottom of the hill I made it to the front and went back to the white line. I didn't like riding with the group. It was fine when they rolled away.
It continued to sprinkle and mist.
I enjoyed the rain. It was like manna from heaven. It kept me cool.I noticed my computer mount was not in its usual position on my handlebar. The clamp came loose and on down the road it fell off onto my lap. I tucked it under my jersey and put the screw in my pocket. All at 23 mph. I made it to the 2nd SAG stop, first for me, and someone had an allen wrench and installed the mount. Fresh water and away I went. 10 mins ahead of schedule.
The first leg of nonstop riding behind me. The next 30 miles will be going around Indianapolis. Traffic, stop signs and stop lights are in the future. As I rolled along I reflected on rides past. Usually it is about 11am, sunny and 80f. My power begins to fade in the sun. Not today, the mist kept me from feeling any fatigue yet. It was empowering.
Halfway across town a smaller group of riders caught me at a light. Riding with this group was different than before. It made stop signs easier. We would cross as one group. I would be at the back waiving to the waiting drivers shouting thank you. Just one driver was impatient.
We made it across town to SAG3. I had enough water, I just needed a PBJ sandwich and I was back on the road. Back to the rural countryside, less traffic and stop signs. I continued to chase down and pass riders. The plan was still working. Fatigue low and speed still averaging 22.5. Still ahead of schedule.
I made it to SAG4. 110 miles in. My wife Lisa was waiting with water refills and a coke. I drank 1/2 the coke and took off. I had 50 miles ahead of me and most of that is on a lightly traveled highway. This was a little more open than the country roads.
I made it to SAG 5. The last sag. I was a little confused as I approached it. Usually I'm further back in the ride and this sag is a zoo. Cars are parked everywhere waiting for their riders to show up. When I approached, it was a ghost town. Refilled the water bottle, filled the port-a-potty and away I went.
This last segment of the ride I had waited for all day. Not just because it was the end, because there's 28 miles left, 15 are pan flat. Also, it allowed me to wad up the game plan and come off the leash. Quite a bit of the flat area was spent in the mid 20's. (40 for you metrics) In the last 8 miles, there are 2 long hills. I was looking forward to these also. After 150 miles these can wear you down or rev you up. I chose the later. I began climbing the first. Slowly watching the riders in front of me become closer. I passed them on the way down to the bottom of the second hill. I was half way up the second hill when I began emptying water bottles to lighten to load. With the 2 hills behind there were 2 miles left. I kept the pressure on the pedals. Surprisingly I passed very few riders.
I finished at 7:38, 79th place of 1042, 22 minutes ahead of my stretch number of 8 hrs. Also 2:20 in ahead of my fastest time. I was thrilled. Lisa commented about my mood was good. Usually I’m baked and ground to a pulp. Not this time.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1724488988
After the ride, @DARYLHANGER945 found me and we talked about our rides. He rode with the leaders quite a bit and finished 45 minutes ahead of me. He's a strong rider. His bike is one of @ratz 's hand-me-downs. He also talked about going to some HPV races with @LarryOz the following weekend.
I would have to say that my effort coupled with many other stars aligning made for a day I don’t expect to eclipse for some time.
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