100 Miles of Nowhere Race Report: Rookie Mistake Edition, by Sarah Barber
A Note from Fatty: I realized some time ago that none of my kids read my blog. This, of course, makes me feel very, very sorry for myself. However, it also gives me the freedom to post something regarding them completely publicly, in spite of the fact that I do not want them to know this thing.
That thing is this: Next week, The Hammer and I are surprising the twins with an early Christmas present: a trip to Florida. Yes, that’s right. We’re telling them that we’re taking them to visit their grandma in St. George and to pack accordingly.
Our guess is that they won’t even notice anything’s up ’til we get to the airport. We’re very interested to find out exactly how long it takes them to figure out the full extent of what’s going on.
Anyway, from Monday through Wednesday, I will be posting only very short items (such as announcements of new podcasts) or no items at all, because we’ll be at Harry Potter World, among other places.
A Note From Fatty About Today’s Post: You might remember Sarah Barber. She’s a pro cyclist and super-nice person. She’s won Rebecca’s Private Idaho. She won an entry into the Leadville 100 through a contest I ran, and raced as a WBR ambassador.
And now, she’s raced the 100 Miles of Nowhere. And before I let her tell her story, let me just say that I love the fact that she found it difficult, because it’s nice to know that hardcore racer types can have a tough day, just like the rest of us. And because Sarah’s so totally self-deprecating.
Enjoy!
100 Miles of Nowhere Race Report: Rookie Mistake Edition
by Sarah Barber
SO….
Well, I thought I would be able to do 100 Miles of Nowhere this year, but I made a rookie mistake with my course selection.
In some ways, it was perfect. It passed right by my house, which you know is great for bathroom stops, clothing changes, filling bottles, etc. There’s not much traffic. There are only two stop signs, both of which can be rolled California style if no one is coming because they are at places where you turn right in order to stay on the course.
And speaking of turns, they are all right-had turns, except one, so you get really good at turning right. The course was an interesting loop because it has a climbing section, a descending section, and a flat section–something for everyone, and all in just 3.7 miles.
There’s even a “technical” corner–on the descent (so you’re going fast); there’s a slightly off-camber right-hand turn that had a bunch of leaves in the road, so it was potentially slick. Plus there were some manhole covers to dodge.
But the course selection was also my rookie mistake.
The climb was 352 feet. Not a big deal under most circumstances, but after 14 laps, you’ve climbed almost 5000 feet.
And even that is not a big deal in the middle of the summer. But in the middle of November, when I’m averaging about 3 hours of riding per week (and that’s in 3, maybe 4 rides), doing more than 3 hours in one day is kind of harsh.
Because of the climb (and because of my current level of fitness, to be fair), the loop was slow. Like 15-16 minutes. Which means I was averaging almost 15 mph.
So in 3:38, I had only covered 52.2 miles.
That’s when I broke.
I just didn’t have any desire to ride for 7 hours. It’s blustery and chilly here. There’s football on TV. And there’s always next year.
I consoled myself with a protein bar. It tasted like failure.
For what it’s worth, I learned enough from last year’s postings that I didn’t make other mistakes. I certainly didn’t try to ride fast! And I set up an aid station. If you look closely at the photos below, you’ll see that the bumper/brush guard of a Sportsmobile makes a perfect shelf for food and bottles.
Also, there’s a winch in case you get really tired and need some help getting home.
I don’t know if I deserve to be published on the blog since I only got through about half of the ride, but come on.
The whole thing is an ill-conceived notion, after all. ;-)
Comment by Jeff Dieffenbach | 12.4.2015 | 9:18 am
“I consoled myself with a protein bar. It tasted like failure.”
+1
Comment by Tom in Albany | 12.4.2015 | 9:34 am
Excellent report! I’m still deciding when I want to eat my failure bar.
Comment by Sarah Barber | 12.4.2015 | 10:25 am
Thanks for sharing my story! Also, for everyone else reading the comments, you should know that I still got all the awesome swag that comes with the entry into this event! The socks were my favorite part. But then I got over my humiliation of out-of-shape-ness and decided to try out the free month with Trainer Road. It’s fantastic! I think I’ll end up continuing the subscription since it is such a bargain!
Comment by wharton_crew | 12.4.2015 | 10:27 am
If you were planning on being done in around 3.5 hours, does that mean you usually ride 25-30 mph???
15mph with climbing is great – although most FoFs never admit to going slower than 17mph
Comment by davidh-Marin,ca | 12.4.2015 | 10:53 am
Another inspirational write up as I wait to ride again.
But I’m curious about Florida. Is this Harry Potter experience for the twins……or you?
Have a great time, either way, and don’t embarass them wearing ‘the hat’ back on the plane.
Comment by BostonCarlos | 12.4.2015 | 10:56 am
I did the same thing this year. Halfway through 3 hours in… couldn’t keep going and called it.
Comment by Mark in Bremerton | 12.4.2015 | 11:10 am
I didn’t see you go past my place! The loop you describe could be mine. I once did 10 laps (37 miles) just for training, and I was toast.
So you won’t get any derisive comments from me. Good job!
Enjoy Florida, Nelsons!
Comment by Jim Tolar | 12.4.2015 | 11:24 am
Who among us hasn’t tasted the protein bar of failure?
Prior to my first RAGBRAI this year, the only centuries I had ever done were 100MoN centuries around our 4.4 mile course. I found out that riding 100 miles on a real road where you don’t pass by home 20+ times is WAY EASIER than doing 100MoN.
So, wash the taste of failure out of your mouth by taking a big drink of “helping the Camp Kesem Kids”. Great write-up, great 100MoN.
jt
Comment by Brian in VA | 12.4.2015 | 11:52 am
“15mph with climbing is great – although most FoFs never admit to going slower than 17mph” I’m not sure I’ve ever admitted to going faster than 17 mph.
Great post Sarah! I’ve also tasted the protein bar of failure. Actually, it tasted more like a beer.
Comment by Kate | 12.4.2015 | 12:04 pm
The real rookie mistake was choosing a protein bar as your food consolation. Loved your report!
And we were at Harry Potter world this summer. I don’t love Florida vacations, but that was enough to make it sort of worth going. It’s amazing. Watching Harry Potter with my son this past week I was struck again by how real it was.
Comment by Liz M. | 12.4.2015 | 1:09 pm
Excellent race report, Sarah!
Would love to hear other rookie mistakes. My first year it was over 100 degrees by mid-morning, and I’d picked a loop with no water stops but a 7-Eleven. By the third or fourth time I went in, the woman behind the counter was about to call an ambulance. ;-)
Comment by Tim | 12.4.2015 | 1:29 pm
I have done both sides of Harry Potter a couple of times with the kids (Not necessarily for the kids) and I think you will enjoy it! The twins might enjoy it as well…..
Comment by Corrine | 12.4.2015 | 3:42 pm
Great writing, Sarah! At least you went out there and did what you could. And I agree, consoling yourself with a protein bar? Bah, I would have chosen a chocolate bar!
Have fun in Florida and I can’t wait to hear how surprised the girls are when they figure out they aren’t going to St. George
Comment by Eric | 12.4.2015 | 7:45 pm
When I did my first 100 MoN in October, I definitely found it very mentally taxing. It was a relatively flat out and back that would require 19 laps. And after 7 or 8 laps, I was so so sick of it. Fortunately, I was riding with my friend, Jessica, who taunted me into keeping going, and we did complete the whole 19 laps and 100 miles, but if I had been riding solo, I would have cracked much earlier.
Comment by Doug (way upstate NY) | 12.5.2015 | 6:02 am
There is something very mentally challenging about repeatedly going past your place of comfort. Heck, at Leadville if you make it to Columbine you have to bike back anyway. that’s part of what make 100 MoN so “special”.
Comment by MikeL | 12.6.2015 | 10:29 am
I respect someone who could do 3.5 hours on a trainer much less 5 or 6 hours. I have problems getting past 1.5 hours as certain parts of the body are screaming for mercy by that point.
Comment by Evan | 12.10.2015 | 3:05 pm
Great write-up. I can’t imagine the head game that goes on by doing a smaller loop time and time again, as the hours go by.