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July 30, 2005 v1:
First annual ride highlights - only part of the story.

HIGHLIGHTS
These are just some of the highlights from 2005. This is for all of you that ask: what was it like to ride 200 miles? And to all of those that were there but can't really remember it all. It was fun.

There were plenty of smiles all day long - all day, from 5:30am until about 8:30pm. We used every minute of daylight we could find and kept pushing forward to make sure we didn't get caught in the dark. Nevertheless, we did stop along the way- sometimes out of necessity (5 flats) and sometimes out of necessity (pizza break). But through it all everyone kept smiling, which meant we were either enjoying it or just plain delirious.

Overall we kept a great pace - I recorded a 20.1 mph average over 206.1 miles. Total riding time of 10:13'45.

A FEW FIRSTS

-- "This is my first flat ever."

-- "I never rode a century before."

-- "I was the first one up every hill, well, until mile 148. Next year I'll pace myself."

-- First road side pizza delivery to the peleton.

-- Personal best (longest ride) for all involved.

-- First double century for all finishers.

-- First annual Total200!

QUOTES: the ones we remember *
The quote of the day (by popular laughter) was said in a very caring way (as they all were). It was a strong team dynamic that grew and flourished as the hours pressed on.
"Shut up and stop bitching about your asthma."
- at mile 176-ish

Of course, the second place quote would be:
"Owww! Right in the ding ding."
- during a flat repair

And other notable quotes:

"Going there and back, so no cars needed?"
- Just the beginning

"I AM LANCE-I dream! Yeah, he's my hero-I love Lance [prob guessed]"
- Rabbit

"Rain, shmain. I'm still in. See you tomorrow."
- the day before

"I am in training for IM Wisconsin but shit 200 miles I have not riden. I have put in 90-100 mile days but nothing near 200miles. Is everyone doing this ride doing double centuries on a regular basis?"
- last rider recruited 2 days before the event

"What are the chances that a buncha Triathletes are gonna know how to ride in a paceline? Don't make me pull for 200 miles then turn around and find out no one's in line."
- Mr. No show

"One quick question-what do you usually eat during the day on this kind of ride?"
- usually?

"Sounds good. I'll get there when I get there and make sure I'm ready to roll when I get there.."
- rode to the start (200 not enough?)

"When you get to Route 255 take a RIGHT!"
- Route coordinator. Three miles later we turned around. Note final milage was 206.

"18 mph average as advertised."
- while pushing 27 mph for miles on end.

"Your 'hoarding' of the GPush is certainly 'sponge worthy'."
- Seinfeld reference

"I am happy to report that I took not one single hill. I was last or close to last up all of them, and I even switched to the granny gear up the hideous bridge on the way back, wheezing and gasping as if I needed an inhaler myself. Good to see the testosterone level still has not diminished among all of you!"
- just one example of the special bond that forms on the ride

"Hey Jim, where's the watermellon?"
REPLY: "Oh, I see how it is.. you ask the black man where the watermellon is."
- support crew

"An excellent day, an awesome ride, and a lot of good memories."
- already signed up for next year

"Would love to make it an 'annual' event - but I'm still barely walking around."
- the day after

"Had a blast even with the rain, but it was a great test of will - mentally and physically."
- so true

"I can't beleive I am saying this. Put me down for v2.0."
- once you've done it, you can't give it up

* Actual quotes may vary and they have been kept annonymous to protect the innocent. Please advise me of any corrections.

Copyright ReachAbove © 2004-2007 | ReachAbove@blueonblue.com

Click images
to enlarge

Mile 0.0, 6:10am

Enjoying the ride.

"This is my first flat ever."

All smiles after the lunch break.

"All I saw the last 30 miles was the wheel in front of me."