Lyle Pearson 100 solo
Yesterday I rode the Lyle Pearson 100mile solo race, or LP100. It was my first bike race of this sort and my first real century ride (not just biking 100m throughout a day). I was inspired by my Team 10Barrel teammates to participate in a bike race, and this is the only race I could imagine taking on: a staggered start solo ride without packs of riders or dubious obstacles to navigate.
I have wanted to ride the LP200 (a 4-man relay covering 200miles from Boise to Ketchum) for nearly 6 years; ever since I broke my foot and discovered the Boise cycling community. The interest in biking comes and goes through the years, mostly depending on my current injury status, but this year I figured I should just go for it. The relays were full which is how I found my way to the 100mile solo ride. The LP100 allowed me to be a part of the event, though the order stands a little taller when you don't get a break from the saddle for nearly 6 hours!
Starting near the Grandjean turnoff on Hwy 21, you climb a little, descend a little and then climb a lot. Ten miles up to Banner Summit with 1,859 ft gain. This was steady and about what I expected; I felt strong coming over the top. The descent was great to start but soon leveled out and began to climb again. I know this stretch of highway well enough to not let this uphill surprise me. However, coupled with the cross/head wind and longer climb than I remembered, the stretch from Banner into Stanley was a doozie. I was fighting for 20mph downhill! This challenge preceded the long 30 miles to Smiley Creek on Hwy 75- a segment everyone (and I mean EVERYONE!) warned me about. Notorious for strong headwinds and another sneaky climb, I was was feeling discouraged coming off Banner Summit and into the hardest leg of the race. In fact, I told my husband at the transition zone, "I'm not sure if I am having fun yet".
As I took off toward Smiley Creek I let myself fall into a grinding rhythm and didn't check my stats constantly. I taught myself how to ride the aero bars that clipped uselessly to the front of my bike for the first two stages. I may have even gone too easy, expecting it to be hard rather than appreciating the swirling winds (as opposed to the strong head wind everyone predicted). When I was passed by another solo rider, who gapped me but didn't continue with his sprint, I caught back up and asked if he wanted to work together. I would pull for 1-2 minutes, expecting him to take short pulls as well, but then I think he was aiming for mile trade offs (?). So I upped my pull to 4 minutes, but I knew I was spent when those 4 mins were up. Overall I think it went well and definitely broke up the monotonous stretch, so for that I am thankful.
In the final climb to Galena Pass I was psyched and ready to ride. I have run these 5 arduous miles, with 1,300 ft elevation gain, several times with the Sawtooth Relay and felt ready to ride them. But riding 5 hard miles after 67 miles is much harder than riding 5 miles (or running 5 miles) on fresh legs. Even semi-fresh legs. Just not 67-miles-on-an-uncomfortable-saddle legs. gah! That was hard, but so was the downhill on the other side of the pass. I averaged 30mph and was super psyched for my wildly daring self. ;)
Finally the home stretch: Galena Lodge to Ketchum. This 20 mile stretch wasn't going to be a total walk in the park but I thought it would be a little easier than it turned out. What normally was a tail wind had turned straight on and seemed to be blasting my poor little achy body. I was practically an expert on the aero bars by now, but it was still so difficult to ride alone. I pushed hard. I reminded myself why I was here: I had long wondered what my cycling legs were made of and this was the real chance to find out. I stayed curious and counted the landmarks as I rode into town. I know this stretch of the highway better than most any other in Idaho and there was no way I would let it get the better of me today.
In the end, I placed 2nd for women and 6th overall with a time of 5:40. It was hard! To be honest my butt suffered the most. My legs were tired but not trashed the way they had been once in the training cycle. I felt great about my nutrition and hydration (see below). I am- quite honestly- really proud of myself and feel intrigued to see what else might be possible for me on the bike What if I had a TT bike or more than a month of training or some kahunas on the downhill? These questions may keep me coming back for more.
---
Nutrition:
Skratch labs exercise hydration mix: 3 tall bottles, total of ~ 360 calories
3 packs Skratch labs energy chews ~ 450 calories
1 skratch labs anytime bar 220cal
1 cliff bar 250 cal
I have wanted to ride the LP200 (a 4-man relay covering 200miles from Boise to Ketchum) for nearly 6 years; ever since I broke my foot and discovered the Boise cycling community. The interest in biking comes and goes through the years, mostly depending on my current injury status, but this year I figured I should just go for it. The relays were full which is how I found my way to the 100mile solo ride. The LP100 allowed me to be a part of the event, though the order stands a little taller when you don't get a break from the saddle for nearly 6 hours!
Starting near the Grandjean turnoff on Hwy 21, you climb a little, descend a little and then climb a lot. Ten miles up to Banner Summit with 1,859 ft gain. This was steady and about what I expected; I felt strong coming over the top. The descent was great to start but soon leveled out and began to climb again. I know this stretch of highway well enough to not let this uphill surprise me. However, coupled with the cross/head wind and longer climb than I remembered, the stretch from Banner into Stanley was a doozie. I was fighting for 20mph downhill! This challenge preceded the long 30 miles to Smiley Creek on Hwy 75- a segment everyone (and I mean EVERYONE!) warned me about. Notorious for strong headwinds and another sneaky climb, I was was feeling discouraged coming off Banner Summit and into the hardest leg of the race. In fact, I told my husband at the transition zone, "I'm not sure if I am having fun yet".
As I took off toward Smiley Creek I let myself fall into a grinding rhythm and didn't check my stats constantly. I taught myself how to ride the aero bars that clipped uselessly to the front of my bike for the first two stages. I may have even gone too easy, expecting it to be hard rather than appreciating the swirling winds (as opposed to the strong head wind everyone predicted). When I was passed by another solo rider, who gapped me but didn't continue with his sprint, I caught back up and asked if he wanted to work together. I would pull for 1-2 minutes, expecting him to take short pulls as well, but then I think he was aiming for mile trade offs (?). So I upped my pull to 4 minutes, but I knew I was spent when those 4 mins were up. Overall I think it went well and definitely broke up the monotonous stretch, so for that I am thankful.
In the final climb to Galena Pass I was psyched and ready to ride. I have run these 5 arduous miles, with 1,300 ft elevation gain, several times with the Sawtooth Relay and felt ready to ride them. But riding 5 hard miles after 67 miles is much harder than riding 5 miles (or running 5 miles) on fresh legs. Even semi-fresh legs. Just not 67-miles-on-an-uncomfortable-saddle legs. gah! That was hard, but so was the downhill on the other side of the pass. I averaged 30mph and was super psyched for my wildly daring self. ;)
Finally the home stretch: Galena Lodge to Ketchum. This 20 mile stretch wasn't going to be a total walk in the park but I thought it would be a little easier than it turned out. What normally was a tail wind had turned straight on and seemed to be blasting my poor little achy body. I was practically an expert on the aero bars by now, but it was still so difficult to ride alone. I pushed hard. I reminded myself why I was here: I had long wondered what my cycling legs were made of and this was the real chance to find out. I stayed curious and counted the landmarks as I rode into town. I know this stretch of the highway better than most any other in Idaho and there was no way I would let it get the better of me today.
In the end, I placed 2nd for women and 6th overall with a time of 5:40. It was hard! To be honest my butt suffered the most. My legs were tired but not trashed the way they had been once in the training cycle. I felt great about my nutrition and hydration (see below). I am- quite honestly- really proud of myself and feel intrigued to see what else might be possible for me on the bike What if I had a TT bike or more than a month of training or some kahunas on the downhill? These questions may keep me coming back for more.
---
Nutrition:
Skratch labs exercise hydration mix: 3 tall bottles, total of ~ 360 calories
3 packs Skratch labs energy chews ~ 450 calories
1 skratch labs anytime bar 220cal
1 cliff bar 250 cal
