This account is from Alan Dedman, Captain of the Wilmington team. Alan rode up from Wilmington to do the ride, and did the full century.
Alan nears the finish line
It hardly seems like a year has gone by already, and I’m already back at the Veterans Home of California, Yountville, Ca, for another fund raising ride on behalf of the American Diabetes Association.
Its 05:15 and I arrive as the volunteers are arriving and getting everything set up. The weather for the day is forecasted to be hot and windy, even at this hour, it’s a little cool but an occasional little gust has that welcome hint of warmth, a sign of things to come for the ride. Unfortunately, I didn’t hear the wild turkeys calling as I did last year, hopefully they made it past Thanksgiving and decided to go some other place, but there was a gaggle of geese that flew past, giving the occasional “honk” on their way.
Well I’m all prepared, pumped up and raring to go. The bike has been given a final going over, there are new tires, new chain all lubed up, new bottom bracket. I still haven’t seen any other Benicia team members so I’m not sure how many are going to be riding the Century.
I eventually meet up with 2 other riders from the Benicia Team, one of which, Chris, is going to do the 100 and the other rider Jim will most probably see how far he gets, there’s a rest stop (S.A.G.) at around the 59 mile, that’s on the return section, he’ll make his mind up there.
It’s about 07:00 and we 3 decide to hit the road, as we are going through the start line we see a bunch of other Team members, including Laura and Stan from San Antonio going to the registration desk. After a quick hello and good luck wishes, were on our way.
We go through the Town of Yountville, obeying all the traffic laws; we noticed several postings of a $300.00 fine for failing to obey traffic signs. Although there was no intention of breaking the law, we also had no intention of topping off the Town coffers. The first 5 to 10 miles were done at a leisurely pace; we picked up a small group of riders and had a turn each at pulling the line up front, gradually increasing the speed to around 19 mph. The head wind that threatened to put in an appearance did, but not with that greater force, enough to know that it will be with us for the outbound section of the ride.
Chris and Alan, Velo Valero "Century Men" at the Napa ride
Somewhere along this section, we had unfortunately managed to lose Jim, our 3rd rider. I noticed this as we were approaching Calistoga. Going through this town, our other riders decided they needed a “pit” stop at a local Shell Service Station, so it came down to Chris and I. We decided to pick up the pace a bit and taken advantage of the near flat road conditions, we kept in a single file, obeying the law, except when it came time to take a turn in front.
The sun, although still early, was now out, hardly a cloud in the sky and we were rolling past vineyard after vineyard, absolutely breathtaking, the scenery is magnificent. There are some very old houses and hotels, one house we saw could have made a great location for a scary movie.
We’re now getting into the ride, keeping a steady pace, and ahead we see another group of riders, 5 or 6 in this group which I see can be caught and join up with to make for an easier ride, it’s always easier to ride in a group, makes it easier to maintain speed, and you can get a bit of a rest at the same time. We eventually join this group just before the start of the hill. They were not really setting any pace, and it seemed like we were backing off to meet their speed. We really didn’t need to slow down.
At the current speed we had been doing we had an average of 18.8 mph, this was above my time for the last ride, so I really wanted to maintain or even better it for the whole ride. Anyway noting that they were dropping off a bit, I pulled out to the front and tackled the hill, setting a good pace, but alas near the top, my legs were beginning feel the burn, and Chris came up and took the pull. With a few more yards to go we crested the hill, and took that well earned rest of freewheeling down the hill, my computer recorded a top speed of 34 mph. This was a bit disappointing as I like to get a good speed going downhill, but looking at it from another point of view, this meant that the return climb back over the same hill was more progressive than a steep climb. As we bottomed out and came back onto a small but progressive decline, we applied pressure on the pedals, but mine was kind of disastrous. As I pedaled, every third rotation I felt the chain jump, in the smaller or higher speed cogs on the rear cassette.
I’m beginning to think the worse, I still have a long way to go and I know there are mechanics on the course but finding one is another question. I change up to a lower speed gear, which means I have to pedal faster to maintain the same speed as the others.
This appears to work, for a short time until I start to get the same response in this gear. So I shift to a larger gear again and so on until I’m left with the bottom 3 gears.
Needless to say this is getting to be hard work, were approaching Jimtown and my front wheel hits a fairly large object in the road, something that the rider leading us failed to point out. Generally this is a courtesy to following riders to point out hazards in the road so that following riders can take evasive action. Anyway this object causes a pinch flat and my front tire gradually goes down after a few miles.
I stop, Chris comes back to assist me, I remove the wheel and the tire and replace the inner
tube. Refit the tire, inflate it with a CO2 canister and we’re off again, unfortunately we missed a whole group of riders that were moving very fast, that would have been fun to have joined them. Still my chain is jumping and I’m trying to think of what I can do to fix it. Were in the town of Healdsburg, approximately 40 miles from the start and getting near the point where we start the inbound leg.
Bikes near the vineyards at one of the rest stops
We push on, still with my sick machine until we come to our first rest stop. There I try to locate a mechanic; I’m told there should be one there in a few minutes. Well I think we spent about 10 minutes there taking refreshment, I took a liquid meal replacement drink, followed by a bottle of water, and refilled my water bottles, dropping some tablets, that help replace the electrolyte, stop cramping and all the good things that make you feel bad go away. Chris managed to tighten up a few spokes; one of the volunteers had a tool box there with a spoke key, so he managed to adjust his rear wheel.
Well we set of, pedaling to a one-to-three clunk, one-to-three clunk, coming from my bike. The sun is well and truly up by now, nice and warm and the saving grace is a good following wind playing on our backs, the same wind we had had in our face on the way out was now assisting us, well at least me. Shortly after leaving the rest stop we pick up another rider. He had a Campbell’s Soup jersey on, same colors, looked like a humongous can of Tomato Soup. What was most noticeable was the huge amount of salt that the guy had lost, because his jersey had this great big faded white stain across his back and shoulders. If he had stopped near a field of cows he would never have got away, they would have gone crazy over the salt lick. We never did find out his name, it’s strange you can ride for miles with some guys and not speak to them, even ask their name, but when you leave them or they you, sometimes it’s a gentle nod, a polite wave and you don’t see them again.
Back on the ride, the hill we came over on the outbound section is now fast approaching; Chris has given up on me, either the noise from the bike or my slow speed, I’m not sure. I’m now riding like I’m in a Spin Class and getting really nowhere fast, but I’m on the hill and the climb is gradually getting steeper, but I’m not feeling it. My main concern is to get the bike over the top and sail down the other side. I know that once I’m over it I can make the next rest stop where last year there was a mechanic.
I make it to the top and as I begin the descent I tuck myself up into the smallest ball possible, yes a question of aerodynamics, anything I can do to get that little extra speed, as I freewheel down the hill. That’s the payback of climbing the hills, the trip down, it’s fast and exhilarating. You really don’t think about the fact that you’re on a bike weighing approximately 18 pounds, without the bugs and grit, and tires about 1-inch wide with about 5–inches of contact between both of them, traveling at 35 mph, that’s all there is between you and a nasty case of road rash.
After descending the hill I pedal easily, and at speed where I can to get to the rest stop. I go through a couple of towns very sedate, where changing of the traffic signals could be the main source of entertainment for the local inhabitants; and eventually come across the Left Turn that will lead me to the rest stop and the hero of the hour, the elusive mechanic.
Jackpot, he’s there, and I describe to him what the problem is, and he suggests that I might have a link in the chain that is somewhat stiff. Yes, thinking about it now when I replaced that chain and took the bike for a test ride that’s how it first performed. I told him that I had lubricated the chain prior to starting the ride, but not well enough, obviously. He reaches into the back of his van and brings out this bottle of lubricating oil and drips some onto the chain links in question, and begins to work it in. It works the chain is flowing freely through the gears, no problem.
I take on yet more water, it’s now very warm, but I’m not sweating that much and I estimate I have now consumed 8 to 9 bottles of water, hydration is the most important thing on these rides, as I learnt to my cost last year. Well before I get back on the bike again I think I must answer the call of nature and visit one of those pretty Blue Boxes, all that water is taking a toll. I really don’t mean to bring this up, but all these Rest Stops are located in vineyards, and so are those blue boxes. I’m not sure of the name of the wine producers, but I’m glad I’m not into wine anymore.
I’m now comfortable, I feel good, legs are fine, no sign of cramping, and I’m relaxed. I’m now heading south on the Silverado Trail, there is now a good wind on my back, and my forward speed makes it feel like I’m riding a vacuum, I’m up in the mid 20,s and now in heavier cycle traffic from the 50 milers. There are children on their bikes, there are riders on comfort bikes, mountain bikes and the occasional tandem, and there were a few recumbent machines, of which two were manned by handicapped people using their hands to turn the pedals.
As I passed these riders I gave them a “good job” and “way to go” call of encouragement, the effort these people were putting in was monumental.
My bike was really going good now and the miles began to disappear effortlessly, as the end of the ride was approaching. There was one last rest stop, about 12 or so miles out which I called into and took a brief break, again another bottle of water and topped of my riding bottles. I also had a quick snack, a quarter of a bagel, spread with peanut butter and topped off with a slice of banana, I gave “Emeril” 10 out of 10 for creativity, and of course my compliments to the Chef.
This is it, I’m on the final leg of the ride, and I’m still feeling good, better than last year that’s for sure. I come to the turn right sign on Oak Knoll Road for the last of the miles; I think about 6 to go. Down the road is the photographer, and I know how I’m going to pose, arms in the air and a look of satisfaction. I approach the site, strike the pose and lights flash and I’m on someone’s hard drive, just waiting to be downloaded.
There is about 4 miles to go, I cross Highway 29 and onto a side road and head north for the finish line. This is where I realize how strong the tailwind has been and now a head wind that is trying to take me out of the ride. It’s like a hand trying to hold you back; the only break is a section of road lined with trees that gives you a few minutes rest, to get some momentum going again. This, without a doubt is the hardest part of the ride, but I’m not giving up, I’ll slow down but I’m not stopping. The hills were easier than this stretch, my legs are now feeling it, and it’s taking longer and longer to hit the final left turn and up to the finish line.
When that left turn came into sight I gave it a bit more effort and arriving there, there was a gentleman controlling the traffic, he allowed me to carry on without stopping and I made that turn for the finish line. As you ride on up, there’s signs of encouragement, “You Can Do It” and “½ mile to go” followed by “Your our Greatest Asset” as you turn the final corner there’s an archway of balloons, people are clapping and cheering, it really is inspirational and very rewarding, I shouted back to them “Thank you.” The ride is over.
RIDE FACTS:
Total Miles 99.8
Total Time 6 hrs 10mins
Net Riding Time 5 hrs 27mins
Average Speed 18.3 mph
Highest Speed 35.4 mph
Highest Elevation 704ft
Total Elevation 4,335ft
Weight Lost 7 lbs
Calories Burnt 4,200
Bugs Consumed 2
Really, my thanks go to everyone that sponsored me for this ride. I know many of you who sponsored me last year for the ride unfortunately missed the opportunity to sponsor me on this years NAPA Tour De Cure. But all is not lost, on May 19th, a few days away; I will ride the Metric Century (63 miles) in the Long Beach Tour De Cure.
Dan, Chris, Alan, and Peter
Here is another opportunity to do something for a very worth while cause, and make a small donation to the American Diabetes Association. If you sponsor me to ride I’ll send you another account of the ride, sounds like a small price to pay, compared to the suffering that millions of Americans go through on a daily basis.
God bless you all,
Alan