good life gravel adventure 2nd annual

Corey and company put together a very challenging 140 mile route for the 09 GLGA, heard someone recorded about 9400' of climbing. I only made it to mile 66 at Malcom, the 2nd of four stops when I pulled the plug and rode about 20 miles back to the start. Not enough miles on legs and too large a gear - 66".

Woke up about 3:30 and on the road by 4:15. Race started at 6 in darkness, beautiful temps started in the low 60's and a north wind 5+mph that grew stronger 15+ during the day. Neutral start down the mopac and on 112th till north of US34. The neutral start pretty much pegged me and I just watched as the miles went by and the riders diappeared from sight.

Mile 18 we turned onto Branched Oak Road and that's when the hills got steep and stayed that way for the next 40 miles - think of Pawnee Road and Dutch Hall Road. I cramped up about mile 30 and laid in a ditch a couple miles later to try and calm down the legs. Come to find out, I forgot to take my electrolite tabs at the start. They stopped the cramps but the muscles were blown. I had to walk many hill. With stops, I was averaging about 8 mph. Last year on the flatter south side, I average 12.

Hard to decide to quit and dnf, waffled but finally did and once down the road a couple miles was glad I did. Took about 1:45 to get back to the van.

- 40c Schwalbe Marathon Extremes gave adequate traction - periods of white stones and loose gravel still kept me on my toes.
- 60" gear is in the ball park depending on how many miles are on my legs.
- Assos and having to stand alot on the pedals kept the butt out of the red zone.
- Didn't start with wind shell but after blown up, couldn't stay warm w/o it going into wind.
- First time trying Acclerade. Prefer orange over lime. Hard to judge affect since poor prep and big gear overwhelmed power output.

Why I like the GLGA:
- grass roots, laid back, not a complicated show, focus is on ride/route
- great instructions and map given out days in advance. Computer not necessary.
- within 20-30 miles of Lincoln at all times so can ride back when dnf.
- no sag/self support adds a touring affect to the ride.
- Single loop, different scenery.
- very challenging but successful completion is within reach of mere mortals, if they are in good shape, and don't make big mistakes.

Maybe one of these years I will complete the course, but when I don't, there is this dynamic challenge of pushing oneself but keeping a reserve to get back on one's own power and finding a none cue sheet route to the start/finish.