I survived the Hotter'n Hell Hundred!

[Tracy]

My husband, daughter and I rode in the 25th HHH in Wichita Falls (TX) on Saturday. He rode the metric century (62 miles) and we rode the 25 mile route. I didn't have to walk my bike at all. Well, except for the start where everyone has to walk. I thought I did pretty well since it had been months since I'd been on my bike and the furthest I've ever ridden was about 18 miles on flat land in normal temperatures. The clock read 3:35 as I crossed the finish and my daughter finished way before me. (I've got 31 years on her and her bike is lighter and faster. No, seriously.)

It was really, really, really hot! I heard that it was record heat but the local paper said no record. It only got up to 104F (record is 105) but not til after I finished. Hopefully, it's like childbirth - you forget the pain so you'll consider doing it again.

BTW - my husband finished too, it just took him a few hours longer.

That's all. I just had to share.

[mere1975]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Way to go!



- Mere "let's not hear about any doping scandals with your family now, ok?" 1975

[ifihadahifi]

I nominate Tracy as the toughest forker ever.

[rockfan]

Good job of you and your family, Tracy!

Take lots of hot baths this week to heal those muscles. And temp. heat pads will help, too. (Also, jump back on the back when feeling a bit better to work out those muscle cramps.)

I'm considering riding my bike soon. Just been really busy lately. It's gonna be soon...but nothing like you've done.

[monet2u]

wow that's great! very nice "personal" best, for the entire family.

[Irock]

Wow, I'm impressed. But not inspired. I'll leave the bike riding to the healthies (a lot of my friends have taken it up in the last few years).

[sam]

It always amazed me that they even had that race. Pretty cool, er...

I got a new saddle for my bike a few weeks ago that is supposed to keep my jumblies in good shape but it still hasn't inspired any actual riding.

[James]

jumblies

we need a forker's dictionary. what a great term.

[lennon]

way to go tracy. thats quite an accomplishment.

next year shoot for the 100 miler. we know you can do it!

[NerfHerder]

Ah, cycling.

Have you ever thought about doing one of those weeklong biking tours? I did one a few years ago and it was a lot of fun.

You would ride 10-15 miles, stop and eat a morning snack.
10-15 miles more. Lunch.
10-15 miles more. Afternoon Snack.
10-15 miles more. Done. Set up camp. Eat a lot more.

Truth be told, it was a lot less of a cycling tour than it was an eating tour. I'm sure they have 'em in your area. Some are more family friendly (like Ohio's) than others while others are for drinking every night and biking with a hangover (Iowa, I'm looking at you).

[roach]

wow. i step outside in 104 and I need an IV... good job.

[Tracy]

way to go tracy. thats quite an accomplishment.

next year shoot for the 100 miler. we know you can do it!

Thanks for the encouragement but no. No, I can't. My husband rides at least 10 miles, up hills and down, at least 5 days a week and he usually (but not in this heat) rollerblades in Trinity Park once a week about 11 or so miles. The Metric (62 miles) just wore him out. (I drove home. He didn't even want to stay and rest and cool down before we headed south.) He said that if he had stayed longer at the rest areas and gone a little slower he probably wouldn't have been so wasted after. Because of the heat, they closed part of the Hundred and re-routed the riders and the rest areas were overcrowded and occasionally (temporarily) ran out of water and Gatorade.

To paraphrase Clint Eastwood as Harry Callahan, "A woman's got to know her limitations." Mine's the 25. There is the 100 mile, the metric century (62 miles), the 50 mile, the 25 mile and a 10K (6.2 miles). The next one up for me is 50 miles. I'd have to lose a bunch of lbs before I would even think about attempting that one.

You should have seen the medical tent. I stopped by to get some Powerade and the volunteer asked if I was cramping. I wasn't so she offered me some rehydration cocktail that she said would be better for me. While I was there, I looked under the big tent (which reminded me a lot of the M*A*S*H tent except it was red and white striped) and there were riders everywhere with bleeding gashes and heat-related problems. They were a mess! I felt very fortunate that we all finished our respective rides with no injuries, illnesses, or bike problems.

Hey, Nerf, my husband has mentioned that ride across Iowa. He wouldn't like it if it's too wild, though.

Once they get done sorting the photos, I see if I can post a link. There is one of me finishing with the clock in the background. It's teeny-tiny so you can't really see but I'm sure I'm looking fresh as a daisy...