Thank you all for making the 2013 Tour de Cure Orlando great! You did an amazing job assisting me in raising nearly $2,659 for the American Diabetes Association. You were part of Orlando’s teamSAIC efforts which raised over $15,246 a 96% increase over last year. teamSAIC 2013 consisted of 20 individual riders and 2 fund raisers. Considering these economic times we are humbled and grateful for the donations we have received thus far because every penny counts. I have an ADA Tour de Cure shirt sticker for display on my cubicle for every donor.

On Sunday, March 17th, I participated in the American Diabetes Association Lake Nona Tour de Cure 50 mile ride. The temperature was in the high 40’s. It was advertised like it was going to be a beautiful day with the exception of the notorious Florida wind.

We made a valid attempt at taking a team picture but because of the staggered arrivals and the fanfare, this didn’t happen. However, we took pictures throughout the entire day. The 25-mile route started at 8:30 am and the 50, 70 and 100-mile routes were scheduled to start at 7:30 am. The first ride started on time for all except teamSAIC. We started 15 minutes later. Mother Nature was giving us the cold shoulder this morning with many body parts getting chilled by the breeze and the sun provided much-needed warmth, which kept the temperature a slightly frigid for riding.

This course was new and interesting. The ride started without a hitch and we were pushing the pace the first 10 miles, averaging 18.5 mph. We stopped at the rest stop (16.2 mi) for 10 minutes and off we went to the second (28.7-mile) rest stop. We could not do this if it was not for the volunteers who were at these stops taking care of us with such enthusiasm and energy. After we take off from the first rest stop, on or about the 18-mile marker the scenery, lake, and route were gorgeous. This year the courses went through some great residential and business neighborhoods.

At the 28.7-mile rest stop I ingested 2 peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches, 16 oz of water, one Cliff Shot Block* package. So far it has been a beautiful and easy ride through low traffic residential and business areas. The majority of course had bike lanes, very few narrow two lanes roads without a bike lane. The narrow streets without a bike lane were a little hairy at times but a Sheriff was posted at the right spot.

We started on our last leg of this so far relatively fast and smooth ride.

On or about the 36-mile marker while traveling on Lee Vista, crossing Semoran Road is when this course became difficult, the easterly gusts of wind unofficially ranged from 5 – 13 mile. Well, it’s like a visit from that relative that you don’t want to see, there it was the wind … we fought the wind only traveling 14 -16 mph to the last rest stop about 7 miles from the finish line. We stayed at this rest area another 15 minutes. We wanted to make sure that we were all ready and still on course. Considering everything, we were making good time.

So the last leg of the route was on a flat surface. It should have been a piece of cake but the lack of training (healing from 1 fractured and 2 broken ribs) along with the wind (13 mph) was hitting us in the face all the way down Narcoossee Road (approx 7 miles). Once we turned off Narcoossee it was figuratively all downhill from there and that was one of the best parts. I didn’t cramp up this ride nor get my usual 2-hour massage after crossing the finish line but I did enjoy sitting in a chair and feeling the breeze (13 mph gust) across my face while munching on some food.

Stats for the day

Before I get into the stats, I just want to talk about proper bicycle fitting and how important it is. When I shipped my bike from Cali to Florida the mover loosened and changed some aspects of my bike. I didn’t think it was major but three months ago I went and had my first professional fitting since I have been in Florida and it made a big difference in my riding, power output, cadence, muscle fatigue, and cramping. So if you have not ever had your bicycle professionally fitted, my personal suggestion is you should. You will see it makes a world of difference and will be worth the money.

>> View bicycle adjustment video

My Speed

Min: 11mph
Avg: 17mph
Max: 26mph

Cadence

Min: 73rpm
Avg: 75rpm
Max: 100rpm(+58)

Power

Min: 2Watts(x10)
Avg: 10Watts (x10)
Max: 89Watts(x10)

Wind Speed

Min: 2mph (1st hour)
Avg: 6mph
Max: 10mph (10:30 am - 11:00 am)
Max Gust: 13mph (11:00am - 1:00pm)

Humidity

Min: 43%
Avg: 63%
Max: 98%
Dew Point: 50%

Temperature

Min: 43deg
Avg: 63deg (8:30 am - 11:00 pm)
Max: 84deg (11:30 am - 2:30 pm)

Totals

  • Elevation: 126 ft
  • Distance: 50 miles
  • Time: 2:54 hrs
  • Course: 4:05 hrs (breaks included)
  • Breaks: 67 minutes (3 breaks)
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Consumption (during the ride)

  • Calories Burned: 4,065 approx (more than last year in a shorter time)
  • Grape Jelly and Peanut Butter Sandwiches: 3
  • Bananas Intake: 2 (All day)
  • Smart Water Intake: 30 oz
  • Gatorade: 16 ozGU
  • *GU Gel: 2 packs (1 every 20 miles)

*Gu Gel is a flavored concentrated gel that should be ingested every 45 minutes to assist in the replacement of carbohydrates and sodium. It takes 15 minutes to get into your system

Funny Moment

  • Diana rode approx. 39 miles without knowing that she could shift her front crankset into a harder gear to produce more power with less freewheeling. When she finally figured it out she was buzzing 17 -19 mph with less effort and freewheeling.

Mishaps

  • Fred was in a serious accident where a car turned into his cycling path. Can’t say anything more than he was injured but he is safe and in litigation with the driver and company.

Again thanks for your support. It will make the ride easier. In addition, you earned some brownie points with me!

Ciao,
Zrain

Thank you for Donating! See you next year!