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| HBUH 200K Finishers, time 6 hr. 51 min. (l to r) Paul Chuck, Paul McKenzie, Sarah Schroer, Ken Cabeen |
I scheduled to ride this event with Paul Chuck on the tandem, March 15, 2014. This is one of the most beautiful, challenging, and fun, 200K brevets on the calendar featuring over 8,000' of climbing in 126 miles. We show up register efficiently in the good hands of Bill and Evelyn Ellis. Bob Redmond gives a short speech and we are off at 7AM, as dawn light prevails.
The capable tandem team of Craig Robertson and Lori Cherry sets the pace in the early miles. Craig likes to be at the front in big groups, and Paul and I have no objection. I need a while to warm up, get the feel of the ride, and fashion a strategy for the day. I'm in no hurry to do that. We sit a few wheels back, riding patiently, after starting a bit late and catching.
Also at the front are Jason Pierce and Becky Berka on their fixed gear bikes. So impressive how they are riding.
About 12 miles in Jady Palko jumps and the fast F-ers jump too, one by one. Carl Sanders, Doug McKenzie and maybe another rider or two sprint after Jady. We sit tight many wheels back. I start thinking we should be in position in case there is is split, so Paul and I roll to the front. We get to the front and I look at the gap to the break, and figure, well, we can close this down without too much trouble. I call Scotty (Paul Chuck) in the Engine Room, and let him know the ship is going to have to go quite a bit faster for a bit, and without so much as an "Aye, Captain," we slowly wind 'er up to nearly 30 mph and begin to close the gap to the leaders.
We roll past Craig and Lori, who are setting a perfect pace, and chase down the leaders, going a bit faster than we'd like. Marc Moons jumps to catch us, while Sarah Schroer is already perfectly positioned on our wheel and following. Seems her rides on the tandem with me have rendered her attentive to being at the right place at the right time when the tandem makes a move! She followed our wheel all day so effectively.
We catch the front group and bring a decent sized group with us. The ride is now split. On Canyon Paul and I soft pedal as the group climbs ahead. Just for fun, we blow past them on the downhill, but the fast riders easily latch on, and we lead the group toward Dutcher Creek.
Dutcher to Cloverdale is uneventful. Then the big climb out of Cloverdale. We set a sensible pace and the fast group is long gone. Others stay with us, we crest, then have a very fast roll to Boonville, picking up shelled riders along the way. The leaders are there, in Boonville, and just leaving. We do our business and get on the road. Climbing CA 253 we have Sarah, Scott D, Eric L., Shane B. Doug M., Ken C., and others. Doug M. and Ken C. float up the climb ahead of our group. We crest and roll down the descent. Paul and I drop everyone, except Eric L. and he takes the Strava KOM on the descent following our wheel. It's one I told Paul C. we'd take, but unfortunately, when someone follows your wheel, they often pimp the KOM from you!
http://www.strava.com/segments/1023378?filter=overall
We catch Doug and Ken near the bottom of the 253 descent and tow them into Ukiah, where we find the leaders are at the Safeway control. Carl S, Carl A, Marc M, and Jady... maybe someone I missed. Paul and I do a quick turnaround, and are ready to leave a minute or two after the leaders. Then Sarah S, Scott D, Shane B arrive at Safeway as we are about to depart. I know the long flat drag to Hopland is ahead, so I take Sarah's bike and tell her, "Make it quick and we'll wait for you." No point in leaving this group of friends to ride the upcoming flat section alone.
Our group rolls out and we make quick work of the flats to Hopland, rolling at 25mph most of the way. Mt. House is a struggle for all of us but we make it to 128. Eric L. is dropped here. We descend to Cloverdale, slow, stuck behind cars. Uggghhh! As we climb Dutcher Creek, I inform our group, "We are looking good, if we stick to the knitting here, we have a crack at sub 7 hours."
The group asks us if they can do some help at the front, which we appreciate, but I feel Paul and I still have the legs to get the job done. We set the steady pace at the front and tow Sarah, Doug, and Ken to the finish in 6 hours 51 minutes. Paul and I had hoped to do this course in under 7 hours, so mission accomplished. We are happy to do it with good friends.
Apparently, Carl Sanders and Marc Moons finished first something like 10+ minutes ahead, followed by Carl Andersen and Jady Palko just a few ticks ahead of us.
The social time at the end was spectacular, and a big thanks to Bob Redmond for hosting yet another fantastic Brevet. Smiles were everywhere as we hung out for a good 2 hours to welcome the other riders finishing.
Freddie Rodriguez made a Cameo visit to the finish line. I hope some of you got the chance to meet Freddie. Such a great guy!
A big thanks to Bob Redmond and all the volunteers for a great day on the bike.
Strava file for ride:
http://www.strava.com/activities/121009889
The capable tandem team of Craig Robertson and Lori Cherry sets the pace in the early miles. Craig likes to be at the front in big groups, and Paul and I have no objection. I need a while to warm up, get the feel of the ride, and fashion a strategy for the day. I'm in no hurry to do that. We sit a few wheels back, riding patiently, after starting a bit late and catching.
Also at the front are Jason Pierce and Becky Berka on their fixed gear bikes. So impressive how they are riding.
About 12 miles in Jady Palko jumps and the fast F-ers jump too, one by one. Carl Sanders, Doug McKenzie and maybe another rider or two sprint after Jady. We sit tight many wheels back. I start thinking we should be in position in case there is is split, so Paul and I roll to the front. We get to the front and I look at the gap to the break, and figure, well, we can close this down without too much trouble. I call Scotty (Paul Chuck) in the Engine Room, and let him know the ship is going to have to go quite a bit faster for a bit, and without so much as an "Aye, Captain," we slowly wind 'er up to nearly 30 mph and begin to close the gap to the leaders.
We roll past Craig and Lori, who are setting a perfect pace, and chase down the leaders, going a bit faster than we'd like. Marc Moons jumps to catch us, while Sarah Schroer is already perfectly positioned on our wheel and following. Seems her rides on the tandem with me have rendered her attentive to being at the right place at the right time when the tandem makes a move! She followed our wheel all day so effectively.
We catch the front group and bring a decent sized group with us. The ride is now split. On Canyon Paul and I soft pedal as the group climbs ahead. Just for fun, we blow past them on the downhill, but the fast riders easily latch on, and we lead the group toward Dutcher Creek.
Dutcher to Cloverdale is uneventful. Then the big climb out of Cloverdale. We set a sensible pace and the fast group is long gone. Others stay with us, we crest, then have a very fast roll to Boonville, picking up shelled riders along the way. The leaders are there, in Boonville, and just leaving. We do our business and get on the road. Climbing CA 253 we have Sarah, Scott D, Eric L., Shane B. Doug M., Ken C., and others. Doug M. and Ken C. float up the climb ahead of our group. We crest and roll down the descent. Paul and I drop everyone, except Eric L. and he takes the Strava KOM on the descent following our wheel. It's one I told Paul C. we'd take, but unfortunately, when someone follows your wheel, they often pimp the KOM from you!
http://www.strava.com/segments/1023378?filter=overall
We catch Doug and Ken near the bottom of the 253 descent and tow them into Ukiah, where we find the leaders are at the Safeway control. Carl S, Carl A, Marc M, and Jady... maybe someone I missed. Paul and I do a quick turnaround, and are ready to leave a minute or two after the leaders. Then Sarah S, Scott D, Shane B arrive at Safeway as we are about to depart. I know the long flat drag to Hopland is ahead, so I take Sarah's bike and tell her, "Make it quick and we'll wait for you." No point in leaving this group of friends to ride the upcoming flat section alone.
Our group rolls out and we make quick work of the flats to Hopland, rolling at 25mph most of the way. Mt. House is a struggle for all of us but we make it to 128. Eric L. is dropped here. We descend to Cloverdale, slow, stuck behind cars. Uggghhh! As we climb Dutcher Creek, I inform our group, "We are looking good, if we stick to the knitting here, we have a crack at sub 7 hours."
The group asks us if they can do some help at the front, which we appreciate, but I feel Paul and I still have the legs to get the job done. We set the steady pace at the front and tow Sarah, Doug, and Ken to the finish in 6 hours 51 minutes. Paul and I had hoped to do this course in under 7 hours, so mission accomplished. We are happy to do it with good friends.
Apparently, Carl Sanders and Marc Moons finished first something like 10+ minutes ahead, followed by Carl Andersen and Jady Palko just a few ticks ahead of us.
The social time at the end was spectacular, and a big thanks to Bob Redmond for hosting yet another fantastic Brevet. Smiles were everywhere as we hung out for a good 2 hours to welcome the other riders finishing.
Freddie Rodriguez made a Cameo visit to the finish line. I hope some of you got the chance to meet Freddie. Such a great guy!
A big thanks to Bob Redmond and all the volunteers for a great day on the bike.
Strava file for ride:
http://www.strava.com/activities/121009889
2 comments:
Report from Ken Cabeen:
I got shelled off the lead group and picked up by 2-Paul tandem and company about 10 miles from Boonville.
Doug M. and I worked well together up and over the big climb of the day, and got swept up just after coming off the steep drop by the tandem and Eric L, who must have gone at a good clip on the ascent and absolutely drilled the descent. I couldn't believe they'd caught Doug and me so quickly!
The tandem train's number swelled at Safeway Ukiah as many others rolled in during the stop there, and it was quite the blast down to Hopland, with the powerhouse tandem at the front all the way.
We got strung out on the beautiful but always arduous Mountain House (because I've always done it after many brutal miles already in my legs). However, the very welcome sight of the stop-sign warning sign at 128 seemed to come faster than it ever had, and when I commented on that, Paul M. attributed it to riding with good company. I agree!
The 2-Paul locomotive towed us all the way back to Healdsburg. Following them on the twisty descent on 128 was both thrilling and a bit unnerving, as we were "stuck" behind some cars that were not exactly moving slowly! Sarah and I thought Paul and Paul were going to pass the cars at one point, meaning we'd probably have been on our own because we weren't willing to do the same. Doug told his bro to let us know if he wanted any help by we singles rotating in on Dry Creek. I was more than willing to do that, but laughed in agreement with Doug when he added that none of us would likely be of much help. It was quite the chore just staying in the tandem's draft!
We arrived at the finish with a time of 6:51! What an unforgettable day on the bike. Many, many thanks to all who made this ride happen, all the riders who showed up and made it so fun, and especially to Paul M. and Paul C. for their phenomenal riding, good company, and generosity in towing me and others along for such a fun ride.
Ken
Report from Doug McKenzie:
Between Paul and Ken, the story is really pretty much covered but I'll add my 2 cents.
Thanks are due:
Bob Redmond for all his efforts with the brevets. What an awesome series. Although I usually only do this one, the stories from the others speak for themselves.
The Pauls tandem was awesome. My bro Paul is the best captain that I know of, with his new stoker Paul Chuck, they are smooth as silk. Following the tandem on the descents was a challenge because of their skills.
First long descent there were a couple bikes in front of me, Sarah and Nick. The twisty sweepers were not a problem for the tandem and some gaps opened. I was worried as they are hard to close at speed. Sarah hung on well, but Nick pulled the pin. Big gap. I was closing then came onto another rider who had no idea I was coming, 40+ and he veers in front of me, "COMING THROUGH!!", and he moves over just in time, thank God. That caused the gap to increase. Eric L comes through and takes a big pull and gets us back on.
On the second descent I let Sarah take the wheel as she was the stoker on the Napa brevet. Towards the bottom, a gap opened. It was about 20 meters, but we were flying again, around 40mph, I'm sure. I thought I should close the gap, but sometimes it's best to let the person who opened the gap close it. It's a good feeling to be able to close the gap without help. I watched closely because if the gap increased, I might have issues closing it. However, Sarah powered up and closed the gap. Impressive. So thanks to Eric La Franchi and Sarah S.
Next up was 253 to Ukiah. Natural break then up the climb. I wanted a strong tempo so I was off the front soon. Ken C on my wheel. "How's the pace" I asked. "Good, but not much talking", says Ken. Perfect. I set the pace on the steeper stuff, Ken on the flatter stuff.
As we crested the climb all I could think is there is not anything else I would rather be doing on such a beautiful day. Thanks to Ken for the good, strong company.
We regroup in Ukiah and FLY down Old River on the Pauls wheel.
Mountain House is a great road, but hitting it so far in, past my max miles for the year, makes it a hard one.
The tandem ends up setting the pace on this one. Later Paul M says it felt like the hardest of the day. Well, that's because it was, the Pauls were putting out about 5-10% more watts on that climb than earlier. However, as Ken states, the quicker pace and good company made for a fun ride over Mt House.
The 128 descent was dicey with the cars in front. Paul M wisely chose not to pass as the tandem is a bit more difficult to get around the cars than a single. Yep, I would have gone too, I must admit.
On Dutcher creek we are all feeling it. My issue, water is now gone. All the way down Dry Creek, dry.
By the time we hit the Bear, I was hurting. Went to the car, full bottle of water and recovery drink drank up. Back to the Bear, steal someones unfinished water, refill, drink. Beer? OK. More water, still can't eat. Bathroom, water on the head. Finally get the core cooler. More water. Finally I can eat.
Go home 2 16oz glasses of water, one hydration drink. OK a gallon or more of water and finally I feel like I re-hydrated.
Well, that was a bit longer story than expected....
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