This just in...after several months of half-hearted training rides of less than 30 miles and seemingly years of not actually riding together, this husband and wife team actually arranged their schedule and actually rode their bikes together!
As you can see from the image below, they seem to be having fun and, yes-it is clearly shown- they ARE riding together!
How do they do it you ask? How can a family in this day and age get together to do a physical activity of this magnitude (the husband riding 100miles and the wife doing 65)?
Well, it is no simple task dear reader. Months (years?) of pre-planning and logistics went into this gamble. Who would watch their sweet, dear, angelic child? Would they be qualified to complete such an endeavour? What bikes would they ride? Do they have the proper gear— powerbars, gel and chamois creme? Those questions and literally hundreds more were put to the test and answered when the husband left no other option and paid for their slots over 3 months in advance!
The days crept closer and the ride loomed large in the horizon. The husband had never done a ride of more than 84 miles in one day. And this one was 100 miles and featured 5000' of climbing. Could he hoist his new, larger belly over the top tube and carry him this far?
Hell yes he could and did!
Leaving 2 hours earlier than his wife, he rode with all his heart and soul, trying to breach the 35+ mile gap between his group, the 100 milers, and his wife's 65 mile mates. Feeling good, he skipped the first two rest stops all in an effort to reach his dear wife before the lunch stop and 4 mile climb that lay right after it.
Evidently, he did too well, as he arrived at the lunch stop almost 20 minutes before his wife. To her credit, she had diligently waited at the earlier rest stop looking for him.
After consuming a lunch of PB&J sandwiches, Clif shots, fruit, Gatorade and cheese, they set off in the 90 degree heat to climb Ink Grade. The climb was too punishing for our dear wife as she was forced to get off her trusty titanium steed (see pic below of her and the bike in better days) and walk a large portion of the climb. Patiently, husband circled and waited,repeatedly offering words of encouragement and love for his soul mate.
Wife during happier days
Once at the top, they were able to refill their water and Gatorade and enjoy a 40mph descent into the Valley and begin the trip back to the start.
Next, our daring duo had to begin fighting deadly headwinds, drunken-wine tasting traffic and a pair of arguing friends on the always un-fun ride on Silverado Trail. With the end in sight, they swept past the cameras (which, by the way were almost unable to capture the pair's image due to their high speed) and had the moment captured for eternity (or 24 hours according to the website)...
A great feast was had by all as the day wound down and further rides were planned by the husband and wife team...Of course we will keep you posted as details emerge...
Now, back to the previously regularly scheduled program...
1 comment:
Why do you let your wife wear such a goofy helmet?
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