I'm cutting it close getting this ride report finished before our next race and ride tomorrow! This ride report has taken so long to write because I didn't know how to start it. And I couldn't start in the middle to then go back to the beginning, my personality just won't allow for that. I'm driven by starting tasks at the beginning and not moving on to the next until the first is completed. Don't ask me how I'm able to batch cook, I have no idea. Writing this report is important to me because I'll never get better at expressing my thoughts and feelings and I'll never become better at writing if I don't practice it. The reports are also important because it shows that every ride isn't perfect, it's not always sunshine and rainbows, and I'm not perfect. When I chose to share my journey in randonneuring with you, my road to Paris Brest Paris, I wanted to always be honest and to share the entire journey not just the successes. This is not to scare anyone away from long distance cycling or cycling in general, but show that through daily grind and determination that anything is possible.
The Indiana Populaire (a 100km/65 mile ride with 1,200 feet of climbing) on April 7th started at 9am from Zoinsville, IN and despite being two weeks into Spring it was bitterly cold at 28F and the strong 10 mph NNW wind didn't help matters. Steve had drove down with me. He decided it was too cold to ride, and besides that he's not chasing trinkets like I am anyways. He was going to hang out at a coffee shop until I finished before we traveled to the north side of Indy to spend the rest of the day with my mom, sister, and sister's fiance. I read the start was at a gas station but failed to read the fine print on where to park. I was a little nervous I didn't see any other cyclists with 15-20 minutes out. Bill Watts, Indiana's RBA, is usually very punctual. Upon leaving the restroom someone else decked out in bright colored skin tight clothing came in the door. Woot, I m not the only crazy person here! I packed my bags and traveled over to the next parking lot where the others were gathered. I was among 10 riders ranging in age from late twenties to sixities, two of us were female. Besides Bill I only recognized two other riders, Toshi who we meet on the OH 400k and 600km in 2017 and Kenneth from the OH fleche last year. I was a little nervous as this was going to be my longest ride on my single bike in over a year. We rolled out as a somewhat group at 9am. Steve hollered, "Have fun, and don't forget to unclip when you stop!" (Clarification, on tandem the stoker stays clipped in and in the saddle at stops) The cold did not initially bother me. I was on a mission. The route had gently rolling hills for about 5-6 miles until it would get pretty flat. I did not plan to ride with anyone and focused on a good pace.
Retrospectively strava flybys indicted that Toshi and I would have been well matched. Traffic was low leaving the city. The route went southwest to the city of Danville, and with a NNW wind it would alternate between a crosswind and tailish wind. I was pushing and focused on a steady effort. You can not control the weather Lydia. My feet and hands quickly became numb from the cold and wind. My left hand started swelling and became painful to move. This was weird because there was a hole in my right glove and the wind was hitting from the right. A group of four passed me about 6-7 miles in, I did not grab a wheel. They finished the day with a 17.5 mph pace but only finished 30-45 minutes prior to me, which goes to show keeping the control stops short helps increase your overall time. I was following Toshi for awhile, and we were coming up to a turn soon when out of nowhere a voice yells left here. Quick check that there were no cars and I turned. The rider was right and Toshi was out of earshot. Within a few miles Toshi caught back up and passed me. Some of the roads were a little gravelly and rough but manageable with my 700x25c tires. At the control I grabbed my water bottle and a clif bar off my bike and went in. Nothing looked good so I did not purchase anything. I had not drank any water. I am really bad about not drinking enough water when the temperatures are extremely cold. I sat my stuff on a counter close to the coffee. I contemplated getting some coffee just to have something warm on my hands. My hands were so cold it was painful when they were thawing out. I also contemplated how much trouble I would get into touching the coffee pots. Would they burn my hands? I chatted with another rando rider. He asked if this was my first brevet. I said no, last year was my first year and we ended with completing LEL. I forced the clif bar down while searching for some hand or toe warmers. I thought about buying gloves to wear over my cycling gloves but decided I was ultimately just stalling and I just needed to get back on the bike.
If you could call any portion of the ride hilly, the next section had the most hills. I was still pushing the pace and at some point I had this extreme overwhelming feeling and my anxiety leveled up. I had been pushing myself all day because I was trying to get to a certain mph. I thought by reaching this magical mph it would prove to those who doubted me that I am an endurance cyclist. I have had people tell me that we only succeeded last year at LEL because of Steve and that I will fail this year without him. I started crying. What was I doing? I just rode a 300k last week and technically only needed to ride a hour or two at conversation pace this week and here I was on a freezing cold windy day trying to prove what and to who? This ride does not predict my success for this season. I am going to finish in plenty of time. I let it all go by taking a few deep breaths. I smiled, this was my ride. It is crazy how coming to that realization and release all those thoughts how much it turned my ride around. I started enjoying the ride and having fun. The sun shone brighter and warmer. I turned my cycling computer off mph and did not look back at it the rest of the ride. I felt happy and started to sing and dance on the bike. The next control came quickly. Two riders had just left the control as I approached and the group of four and Toshi were still at the control when I arrived. I sat down ate another clif bar and some chips after going to the bathroom. Despite me not drinking water earlier my hydration status was still great! I spent about 15 minutes at the control before heading back out.
I was slightly dreading the return trip knowing the headwind would be brutal. I knew I could handle it because I have experienced it before and on much longer days. I saw Bill and Kenneth as I was leaving. Just outside of North Salem where the third control was I stopped and took a picture. The return trip went fast. At some point the wind shifted to a west wind which helped tremendously breaking up the crosswind every now and then. About 9 miles out I let Steve know I was almost back and was hungry. Entering back into Zoinsville the traffic had picked up considerably. I was nervous because I had not replaced my helmet mirror yet. Most cars were courteous but there were some that just did not care I was there and did not slow down or give me 3 full feet. The hills were not bad and I eagerly climbed them because Steve was bound to have some delicious food! I made it to the final control stop and Steve recorded my entrance. I got my card signed while Steve packed up my bike. Back at the car I inquired about food and to my extreme disappointment he had hummus (which was too spicy to eat) and broccoli and triscuits. Yeah, that is it. AHHH! We drove over to the next parking lot and I turned my card in. Seriously, who wants to eat broccoli after riding 100km. Appartantly Steve. "Nothing can stop you from getting stronger when you refuse to underestimate your potential."