The weekend kicked off on Friday, well I really started getting excited on Thursday. There was so much excitement in the air of social media that it was hard concentrate on anything else. Aneca, my 2012 riding partner for 100 miles, secured a set of handlebar speakers that arrived on Thursday, so the playlist recommendations began and she did not disappoint on the ride - she was a DJ, a coach, a physical therapist and an all around inspiration! This year's opening ceremony was a success and I was inspired and hyped up to ride. I caught up with John Looker - the inspiration behind the 2011 Pelotonia's opening ceremony video. He would go on to ride the full 2 day, 180 mile ride - he's a super hero!
I was up early, my jersey was ready to go with a tribute of my "100 reasons to ride 100 miles". Each name represented someone close to me that has fought and won their cancer battle, lost their cancer battle or supported me through my own journey over the last 2 years. The milestone miles were dedicated to the most significant people in my life:
- Mile #25: Mom2, mom of my dear friend of 30 years that I referred to as mom #2 growing up - she is currently battling pancreatic cancer and fighting like a champ!
- Mile #50: My dear mom who is battling breast cancer and not giving up!
- Mile #75: My hero, my dad who lost his fight with lung cancer in October 2012 (if anyone remembers mile 75 - that was one of the first really steep hills...seems fitting, since losing him has been the hardest thing I've ever endured and making it to the top of that hill gave me hope that things will get easier).
- Mile #100: ME, I am a survivor & 18 months cancer free!
We hit up the Girls With Gears at the Red Roof Inn first and then made our way to Columbus Commons, with a quick detour to pick up Jenny James - our fearless team mate that took a risk and joined us for the 100 miles that she committed to, even though she ended up with only one training ride due to her bike being stolen in the spring. She rocked all 100 miles with red lipstick and her infectious spirit! |
| Rider, Riders everywhere! |
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| The crew ready to roll! |
I had a minor delay in the chute before getting started with a dropped chain that was stuck and thank goodness it happened directly in front of the Trek repair truck - huge shout out to Judd from Trek who whisked my bike away, disassembled my chain set and pedals into pieces and had me ready to go in no time. I waived my teammates on to say go ahead without me, this looked like it could take awhile, but they would have none of that and waited...have I said how awesome my riding group was this year?? We were finally off and riding...with some minor stopping getting out of downtown, but with 6500 cyclists, you're going to have a little congestion.
We stopped at the 50 mile finish turn off to cheer on our champion, Deb, who rode through a knee injury suffered a few weeks prior. The pictures slowed down as we hit the half way point, so words will have to suffice that the last 30 miles were...well, hard! We had our last pit crew visit at mile 60-something and it was all us now. We battled hills, cramps, exhaustion, sunburn, running out of cold beverages and the mental challenge of finishing. At one point, Aneca offered to the man the intersection for a State Highway Patrolman so he could take a quick break - he didn't take us up on it though. The toughest hills were yet to come and while I would say now that "we are stronger than we know" (I made it through radiation and chemo, I can pedal up these hills!), but it was hard to remember that while trying to pedal, pedal, pedal and make it up those hills! It was late in the day, so there were fewer riders on the road and as we rolled along we saw the SAG vehicles driving by, loaded with bicycles and their riders that just couldn't keep going. Each rider inspired another in a way they may not even know, music was playing on the handlebar speakers, a short stop to aid a lone rider struggling from muscle cramps, we played "would you rather", as well as "if you could be anywhere else right now, where would it be" and we were only to Mile 80...
Once we rolled out of the mile 82 rest stop, we knew we were going to make it, but we still had one of the hardest hills at about mile 94 - we all got to the top to be greeted with a yet another State Highway Patrol that assured us were past the worst of it and it was downhill from here (we had heard this before and did not fully trust him). Our pit crew was anxiously waiting in Gambier for our arrival across the finish line. We regrouped just before the bike path to cross the finish line as a team and as we rounded that corner...words cannot describe the exhilaration we felt as we saw our loved ones, our beloved training partners that would carry on for day #2 of another 80 miles and the promise of a hot shower & a cold beer! My second century was in the books!
Once we rolled out of the mile 82 rest stop, we knew we were going to make it, but we still had one of the hardest hills at about mile 94 - we all got to the top to be greeted with a yet another State Highway Patrol that assured us were past the worst of it and it was downhill from here (we had heard this before and did not fully trust him). Our pit crew was anxiously waiting in Gambier for our arrival across the finish line. We regrouped just before the bike path to cross the finish line as a team and as we rounded that corner...words cannot describe the exhilaration we felt as we saw our loved ones, our beloved training partners that would carry on for day #2 of another 80 miles and the promise of a hot shower & a cold beer! My second century was in the books!
That concludes Pelotonia13. Thank you to the countless volunteers, those cheering along the way, the Pelotonia staff, my supporters (emotional and financially) and my Fab 5 century riders pictured below! While plans are already being discussed for Pelotonia14, I am in search of the next adventure before then - what will it be? Stay tuned...
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Pictured above from left to right:
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