The Quest for the Triple Crown

This blog is about keeping me honest - reporting on how I'm feeling, what I think about my progress and generally exploring how becoming a cyclist is suiting me.

[nlillegard]

Epic isn't just a name

The Oregon Coast Gravel Epic is in the books. Triple Crown DONE.

As you can see from the profile, there is a LOT of climbing. What you don't see are the amazing views from the roads that follow ridge lines, the smoother and longer than expected pavement sections, and the awesome hospitality of the locals - especially those sitting at random intersections in the middle of the woods. 

I completed the Triple Crown with this ride and feel like I accomplished something special. It was a 6 month commitment to make all 3 rides enjoyable and something that kept me focused for an entire summer. I'll call myself a cyclist with no reservations now. 

Until next year. Now, it's ride for fun and fitness. 

[nlillegard]

To each their own - Why we ride

As a 'training' ride I decided to try the Blackberry Century here in Eugene. It's an annual event put on by the local bike advocacy group GEARs. From the moment I pulled into the parking lot, I could tell this was very different from the Triple Crown 'races' I've been doing all summer. Different vibe all together. Diversity in spandex!

From the dude with handlebar mustache riding old school flat bars that matched the curve of the 'stache to the lady in jean shorts tackling the 'short course and loving it (once I informed her she had another chainring in the front she wasn't using), today was a celebration of the bike.

I celebrated by keeping myself going for 100+ miles and making the mental leap to get ready for the Gravel Epic. Others simply passed the time with friends had a ton of yummy snacks at the aid stations and savored the pie at the end.  

Not every day is a day to ride hard. Some are best enjoyed as you see new places and take in the challenge of the road. Onward.

[nlillegard]

Saturday - 25+ miles to benefit cancer treatment and survivorship in Bend.

Sunday 98+ miles to keep the Triple Crown alive. Other than a drenching thunderstorm on the first descent, a great ride. Hard, but manageable. A great indicator of fitness. I'm getting there. 

[nlillegard]

2 weeks post OGF, an opportunity to put fitness to work for fun! Amazing ride up McKenzie Pass with friends. Feeling like good long hard rides are easier now. Gotta keep the legs moving for another couple of weeks before the Aufderheide ride. Targeting Friday for a test run up and back.

[nlillegard]

How does 117 miles feel?

Like 7+ hours of hard work! 

The first leg of the @dark30sports Oregon Triple Crown is in the books. Having never ridden further than 80 miles, I was nervous. Getting to the start line, seeing the crowd, thinking about what was ahead... didn't help. 

I took it easy up the first climb, but still posted a Strava PR to start the day! Heading up Territorial to Hwy 38 - another PR. Not pushing, but feeling strong and with a good mixed group. 

Right, right, UP! Smith River Road climb was as long as I remember, but still fell as another PR, this time by 3:05! First aid station, feeling good. I managed to grab the wheels of a group from here to the next aid station. I don't know if I was the terribly annoying guy that wouldn't go away, but having a group really helped me keep a pace that by myself would have been really hard. 

Aid #2 to Aid #3 - hanging on more wheels. I appreciate the efforts of all in the group. I hope I pulled some of my weight. I'm still learning the group ride etiquette. Thanks to a foursome from the Portland Velo club that just kept pushing. 

Aid #3 at the deepest part of the course - literally the low point in elevation, and a little twinge of fear as I realize there are 47 miles still to go. My stomach hurt - out with the sports drink, chugging the water, my legs were feeling pretty worked, and I knew I as soon entering uncharted territory for my body. 

The S. Sister Road climb is really beautiful. The scenery is awesome, and the road just keeps going up... gradually at first, and then it kicks up to ~4% and you feel it. I was extremely humbled by the retired lawyer from BC who kicked my butt up that one! 

The descent down Oxbow road is fast, but not comfy. Chip seal makes for a tiring ride! By the time we reached some smooth roads, I was ready to get a new set of arms. But, the 'Begin County Maintenance' sign meant decent tarmac.

Now, that little tricky ascent just after Wolf Creek. I happily caught up to a few other poor solitary sufferers by that climb. Literally heard a guy yell "NOOOO" upon turning the corner and seeing the climb ahead. It wasn't that bad, but I think everyone within earshot agreed. 

Aid #4 - Like heaven! Felt a little better in the stomach, so I took some chances. Chocolate milk, watermelon, PB & Nutella sandwhich bites - I needed it all. Thanks to all the volunteers who make these things happen, especially the teenage band playing some tunes in the middle of nowhere - you guys rocked! 

The last ~23 miles was good. Richard Geiger, who I'd been hanging with for most of the ride closed it out with me. We stuck together for the most part until the end. A little conversation went a long way to blocking the pain out from my mind. Final climb - suffering, but alive, home into CG, and arriving just as the awards ceremony is happening for all those who really ride. Next year < 7 hours!

Was this the hardest physical activity I've ever done? Maybe. The McKenzie River Trail Run in 2010 was tough, but still only 5 hours of work. This, 7+ hours of effort. I think for now, I'll call them roughly even. 

Next up - Tour de Aufderheide - almost 100 miles with 5800 feet of climbing. I'll be more ready for this one. Thanks to @dark30sports for putting on another great OGF. I'm already in for next year. 

[nlillegard]

A moment of apprehension at the start of the Oregon Gran Fondo. Well towards the back of the pack - thinking a slow start saves a bonk!

[nlillegard]

Ride for a reason

Training continues to be steady. I didn't ride very far this week, but I did get out and hit a few hard rides on Thursday and Sunday in Bend. On both of these, I climbed well, held a pace steadily, and kept feeling like there was a lot more I could do. If only we could stop the rest of life while we take time for a ride. 

All in all, feeling good about the coming weekend's event. 117 miles is a long ways, but having done 80+ and seen all of the course now, I'm not worried about finishing. If I take my OGF Medio result from last year and add my Scout Trip time, I should make this in just around 7 hours. We shall see. 

This past week, my mom was diagnosed with cancer. She's still in the process of coming to grips with this, as is the whole family. We'll know more soon, but to show her that I care and want to have solidarity with her during the upcoming struggle through treatment, I just registered for the 2014 Tour DesChutes. Why not use my fitness to show my mom that I care? It will be a great time to visit her and hopefully a chance for me to help raise some $$ for Cancer charities in Central Oregon. More to come.

So, riding takes on a new meaning this summer and my whole perspective on life has changed. #WeAreTdC

[nlillegard]

Oregon Gran Fondo scout trip

I’m a firm believer in the mental power of an event. When you do your first marathon, 10k, or whatever qualifies as an endurance event for you, the energy you can feel from fellow competitors and support people really pull you along and make it feel easier than training. But, I also believe that you don’t want to break any major barriers of endurance on event day.

In that spirit, I focused this week on doing a ‘scout trip’ of the full Gran Fondo course. I’d seen the first part of the course the last 2 years. This year, I’m going big and wanted to see what lies beyond the turn up Elk Creek, where the medio splits from the full course. Time for recon.

To make this a little more enjoyable and safer (you’re waayy out there on this one) I enlisted a friend and real cyclist, Galen to join me. Galen races Cat 1. I have 1 cat. He’s on a team, I have a favorite team.

Thankfully, we meshed well together for this route and pace. Together time passed easily and the miles were enjoyable even as we rolled to a point that put us closer to Reedsport than Eugene. Tapping out the climbs and keeping the pace relatively brisk on the flats, 80 miles didn’t feel too far. It was further than I’ve ever ridden, but didn’t come near to the pain of other rides I’ve done.

Today, resting up and taking stock, I’m feeling good. A couple more weeks and we shall see how my theory on the benefits of a crowd works when I add 35+ miles to my personal record distance.

[nlillegard]

Back in the saddle

Mother's Day brought out the sun and after letting Nicole get a @Barre3 class in, it was time to test out the piriformis and the legs. A simple out and back was the plan. 

Heading up the Willamette river brings some great scenery into view. Note the view from Lookout Point Dam of Diamond Peak - still snow covered after recent spring storms. Pretty nice!

After coasting down from the dam, the headwinds picked up. Keeping the effort in perspective, I rolled home feeling good and refreshed that my legs are getting sorted out. This week it's all about riding 4X and getting a fondo course scouting ride in. 3 weeks to OGF! OMG!

The stats via Strava

[nlillegard]

Feeling the pain. I got out for a nice ride on Tuesday. Felt good, rode hard. For some reason my piriformis or something right around that area has been very painful since Wednesday. So, no rides since then. Not that I am missing out on anything great. Winter seems to have returned this week. Sitting out a rainy few days isn't terrible, but I know I have to get back on the bike soon. 70 and sunny forecast for Sunday. 50+ on the training plan. Crossing my finger that my body feels better.

[nlillegard]

Keeping the pace.

Last week was tough. One day of commuting reminded me why a good set of booties should always be worn. Rain = wet feet! Packing a couple of training rides into the weekend was fun. A blustery day means at least half of an out and back will have a tailwind. Sunday was rainy all day until around 5. Seeing my window I was off! It was great to see at least a few other riders doing the same on the classic McKenzie View road. Feeling good now, but off to Austin TX tomorrow for work and taking the bike in for a tune.

[nlillegard]

Commitment

One week ago, I registered for the Oregon Triple Crown bike races. This is a serious commitment! I promptly went out and rode 47 miles - feeling pretty good and ready for more. Then reality hits. 

A busy week of work, including a couple of days of Dad duty when I'd normally be commuting by bike - and my weekly mileage took a dive and training plan was only a dream. 

Now, it's time to really buckle down. I have but one trip between now and the first race on June 1. That trip is to Austin, so we'll see if I can find a bike and time to ride while I'm there. 

I love cycling right now. It's a place and time where I can do simply tune out any stress and just pay attention to the world around and be in the moment. It keeps me healthy and happy. It balances life. 

A shot of my ride on Sunday - a view of the McKenzie from the road.