TRW century ride report

Well, I'm sure the dozens of Team Red Wheel fans have been anxiously waiting for this report.  So here goes.  I got up early and on the road at 6am since that's when Dirty Kanza begins.  I got in 25 miles before the ride started. It was kinda like what Peat would have done, but he would have got in at least 40 miles before everyone else started.  Hey, I never said I was on Peat's level.

I got to Jefferson City's "full-blown" paved parking lot and saw Don standing around with a look of awe.  He said to me, "Wow, they were right, I don't know how I could have missed this place.  It's ginormous".

Here's a picture of the group (minus Nick, taking the picture) before the ride begins.

 

Bopp and Don had geared bikes and immediately left us all in the dust.  Look ma, no hands!

Heres a short video of one of the first climbs.  That must be Chris you hear in the background panting.  Couldn't have been me.

We didn't have a single mechanical all day, but 2 good crashes.  First, Chris who flexed after skidding all the way across the low water crossing, then I went down later.  I don't think I flexed after my crash, I was probably too busy crying hysterically.

Here's a good road for Dirty Kanza training, flat and straight, nothing but telephone poles for shade.

Who picked this stupid route?

15% grade, 70 miles in.  Choppy video, but you may notice Jessica swing wide to go around the guys pushing their bikes; an unnamed rider hops back on his bike and rode like a madman to keep her from passing.

Because of the 95 degree heat index, we stopped to cool off in this creek for a few minutes.  Some guy in a beat-up pickup truck pulled up.  We got a little nervous standing there in our spandex, but he was just curious since they don't get too many cyclists in this area.

We stopped at Nicks grandma's house to refill our water bottles and she treated us to soda.  I don't know what her secret is, but that Diet Dr. Thunder may have been the best soda I ever had.  Thanks again!

We made one last stop at Jim's Tavern for some steak, taters, and gravy. Delicious!

More pictures on the team photo album.

I think the term epic is overused, but this ride may qualify.  100 miles on the hottest day of the year so far.  I think we're ready for Kanza.