Tour de Cure Event Day – Glenn’s Story

Zrain’s best laid plans get an A for effort – Lots of folks arrived early for Zrain’s group photo. But, scattered arrivals, various states of readiness, lines to turn in the waiver form, etc. resulted in no group photo. We weren’t alone in the disarray, thus there was a 45 minute late start.

I can only report on the 62 mile group because of the staggered start and the fast pace of the 100 milers. I got disoriented at the start – saw an SAIC jersey way ahead, weaved through traffic along with Jonathan to catch up. Rode with them a while before realizing this was the 100 miler group setting way too fast of a pace. Funny how that works – the longer the ride the faster they go.

I slowed to a saner (for me) pace and the other 62 milers from our group caught up. Eventually, Jonathan came to the same realization I did (with age comes wisdom) and slowed til we caught up. We rode together for a while, but Jonathan must have had a hot date. As he upped the pace, we strung out. Jonathan ahead, Andria and I a ways behind, and the others somewhere behind. It turned into a beautiful day. The wind got frisky on occasion, but all in all wasn’t too bad.

62-mile Riders

The first rest stop came quite quickly and we all reconvened. Kudos for Angel who rode with fat knobby tires and no toe clips and still kept the pace. At the UCF rest stop while we were rubbing our neck and legs, Angel was pulling wheelies in the parking lot. I had a mechanical hiccup where my cleat loosened on my shoe, which meant I couldn’t twist it to get free of the pedal. Adrenalin moment. Avoiding catastrophe, I loosened my shoe, slipped my foot out leaving the shoe on the pedal. With the help of multiple folks, we got the shoe free of the pedal. Found a well prepared cyclist with Allen wrenches, tightened the cleat and we were on our way.

Jonathan with his chronic impatience (hot date?) shot ahead. Andria and I started pursuing, then backed off. The others caught up and eventually Jonathan backed off and we rode together for a while. Then the overpass hill. Jonathan didn’t miss a stroke and left us behind. Jodel didn’t downshift, stayed in a tortuous gear, and paid for it later with muscle cramps. Andria and I foolishly pursued Jonathan and it was she and I together for a long time. She did more time at the front than I (with age comes wisdom). We finally caught up with Jonathan and rode together for a goodly time. Jonathan was riding point most of the time.

Along came Zrain. After tolerating our pace for a while, Zrain took the lead upping the pace. Andrea, then I dropped off and watched Zrain and Jonathan disappearing ahead. Then along come a lady who passed me and very quickly caught up to Z and J. I trailed behind as she synched up with them (looking for someone to ride with).

Zrain mercifully dropped back and picked me up. We rode some distance behind Jonathan and the lady with Jonathan at the front. Zrain and I said simultaneously – watch what happens when she takes the lead. Sure enough, that didn’t last long and she forged ahead looking for faster company! We re- consolidated at the last rest stop. My loose cleat performance was repeated with the other foot. Got it fixed and pressed on with only 9.5 (turned into 11.5) miles to go.

“Funny thing about riding with Zrain. When his power meter runs out of battery, without that telling him how hard he is working, he keeps speeding up! Ever considerate though, when he is leading, he asks occasionally “how’s the pace?” Every time I say fine, he speeds up! Got to get him an extra battery.”

63 & 100-mile Riders

Jonathan shot out ahead (hot date?) and Zrain and I eventually caught up. The wind turned against us for the next 5 miles. Zrain took the lead into the wind from Jonathan, but not without muttering something negative about the wind. Eventually I felt guilty and took the point for a while. We three finally arrived at the finish, joined shortly by the others.

Thanks to Jonathan and Zrain for being nice to the old man. They could have left me at any time (well maybe not so much at the end). We got our massage and Carraba’s food, and celebrated a good ride. Finally got at least a ½ group picture.

Where are we going next? I’ll be in better shape for the next one!!