Yesterday was a pretty good day. I learned I am in the second wave of the Assault on Mt. Mitchell and also picked up my kits for POA Cycling. Now, I just need to be allowed to ride my bike!
My number for the Assault is 194. This places me in the second wave that leaves at 6:31 AM – only one minute after the first wave. This second wave has riders in it that are planning on finishing in 5 to 6 hours as well as those aiming for a 6 to 7 hour finish (my group).
This takes care of one of my concerns as I plan to arrive at the summit in around 6 hours. I know from experience that one of the keys to a good time is to make it to Marion as quickly as possible. Of course, that means you have to go fast.
Going fast is fine, but doing that by yourself would wear you out before you have a chance to start climbing the mountain. You have to be in a group. For me, I need to be in a group of riders that is as fast or preferably faster than myself.
Once I get to Marion, I really don’t care as much about whom I am riding with. I plan to set my pace that works best for me. It is all about the start. The fact I will be able to start with guys aiming to make it up there closer to 5 hours, gives me great comfort — even if I won’t be one of them.
Looking at my group, the only rider name I recognize is Chris Gundling. I figure he is one of those guys aiming for a finish between 5 and 6 hours. I’m going to look him up before the start and stay with him for as long as my bird legs can manage it!
If I can make it to Marion in close to 3 hours, then I think I stand a real good chance to finish the ride in 6 hours. Last year I finished in 7:15 and spent 1:30 minutes off the bike. A lot of that was because I had never ridden it before and did not want to get in over my head. Now that I have completed it and can better plan, I’m feeling pretty confident.
Another thing I plan to do is make sure I carry enough water on my bike to allow me to reach Marion. Last year I dropped a bottle and was forced to stop. That caused me to lose the group and battle into the campground pretty much alone.
Now, to those who will say, “But it isn’t a race!” I agree. I am not out there to beat anyone. As a matter of fact, none of the guys trying to get a good time on the ride could do so alone. It is one of the things that makes the ride special. The more you suffer together, the less you suffer individually. Someone will be the first to cross the line, but it won’t be because he pulled the whole way from Spartanburg!
No, I do not see this as a race. I am simply trying to reach a goal I have set for myself. I really don’t care what “place” I come in. I just want to be among that group that can say they did the ride in 6 hours. For other people their goals may be different — a nice long social ride enjoying every sag stop, making it to the top with a buddy and crossing the line together, or any other goal.
It is all good. The only things that would be bad are actions by riders that would put others in danger. I want us all to make it to the top.
In site news, the trends here at LowCadence.com are looking better every week. Sure, lots of people came to see me try to kill myself, but it isn’t just that. The traffic has been steadily growing and I am very thankful to all of you who come to read about this beginning rider.
