Ride Report: D2R2

23 Aug 2008.

Short version: I abandoned the race after 10 or so miles.

The whole week I had adjusted my sleep schedule in preparation for the 6am start. The organizers wanted us to there 45 minutes before the start (5:15), and it takes me 45 minutes to get there (4:30 departure time) which means I need to get up by 4am in order to make sure I leave by 4:30.

Last night I packed my bags, put everything out so I wouldn't forget anything, and went to sleep.

This morning, everything went according to plan. I didn't forget anything and arrived on site just after 5:10. Massive Kudos to the organizers, I was worried about finding where to park, but out in the road they had put flag men with flashlights to direct cars into the parking field. Great Idea.

Registered, got my Brevet card, consumed some of their breakfast offerings, and returned to my car to change and setup my bike.

This whole week I had been on the fence over which tires to run, my commuter tires or my cyclocross tires. I even brought both tires to the race, in case I changed my mind on the day of. I made the decision here to run with the commuter tires. A friend who was also ridding had said they'd be fine and looking at the other riders tires I saw similar tread patterns.

Unlike Day 1 of the Mass Pike Bike Tour, when we were given the ok to go the peloton took off at a nice leisurely pace. The group stayed together until we got to the first hill, which I must admit was a bit more troubling that one would hope. No real issues climbing it, more navigating it. Trying to pick a line and gear taking the other riders in consideration is never an easy task. I wound up using a higher gear than I wanted, but it prevented me from touching wheels with the guy in front of me (and we can real close at points).

The route then briefly becomes a dirt road, which gives everyone an idea of what the day will bring. It is here I quickly realize, I should have followed my gut and run with the cyclocross tires. The dirt is moist and is quickly filling up the tread in my tires making them very slick. Not good.

Strangely this dirt road is relatively short and soon a nice asphalt road returns. And our second "serious" hill. The hill looks fairly easy, I've done worse. I shift and pop the chain jumps off the front rings. It's worth noting this has never happened before. A quick road side repair as the group speeds by and greasy hands and all I am on my way. (Tip for the future: If you have to grab the chain, turn your trash bag (you do carry a trash bag for your gel wrappers, right?) inside out and use it as a glove.)

The ride continues and again we turn onto a dirt road. This one is more densely packed so it seems to be less problematic. Note the word "seems." The first hill we encounter has loose sand, which my back wheel just slides through. Unable to put power down, I am forced to walk up the hill (until it gets hard enough to remount). It is worth noting, for my own ego. I am not the only rider walking at this point.

I remount and at some point in the next half mile encounter a similar problem (on the flat), where the back wheel just slides massively to the right. Unfortunately this time I am unable to unclip quick enough and I go down. Hard enough to tear my jersey and scrape by elbow pretty badly. Not hard enough to to any real damage.

At this point I am a bit behind, such that I can't see the pack anymore. I knew that was going to happen eventually, so I'm not to worried. I continue and things are working much better. We have a nice little down hill and some flat. All in all nice ride. Passing a jeep trail to my right, I think wonder if that's where I should turn off and reach back for my cue sheet... only to grab air.

This is bad. I don't stand a chance without the cue sheet, and what's worse, my brevet card, that which I get signed to verify I did the route, is in the same bag as the cue sheet (Another Tip for ya'll: Don't do that).

I double back. I must have lost it on one of the falls. To abbreviate the 30 minute search, I couldn't find it. I went over the area 3 times, no luck.

Now, if this was all that happened. I would have just returned to the start, got new paperwork, and restarted the ride. Unfortunately, during the doubling back (and once on the ride before), my front derailleur was giving me grief. Early on it was binding up the chain, bringing it to a full stop, then after no work on my part releasing it. That behavior continued and in addition now it refused to shift out of first (small front cog).

Now, let me say, for a month or so I have been having minor issues with my front derailleur, and I planned on bringing the bike in for service after D2R2. Looks like I should have done that this week instead of next.

So that's the ride report. This is the first event of any kind (cycling, running, etc.) that I've ever had to abandon. So you can imagine how happy about that I am. Needless to say, I will be back. Right now, I'm hoping next year (assuming my schedule permits it). We'll just have to wait and see.