Mesa Grande Century route – 105 miles, 10,000+ elevation gain
Finish time: 07:13:22.36
Place: 20th of 111
This was my first organized ride and it turns out that I picked a good one. Some veteran cyclists I spoke with afterward discussed the number of other “Gran Fondo” rides they’ve done and how this was one of, if not the most challenging they had ever completed. Without much to compare it to, I still concur… it was hard.
I tried to keep telling myself that it was a “ride,” not a race. But I still let my competitive nature and inexperience take me out too fast too soon. I tried to push the pace up the toughest climb of the day, Palomar South Grade road, which came really early in the route. At the top I still had almost 75 miles to go.
Unfortunately, I had climbed Palomar with the Endurance House team the week prior and my lower back was still tight from that ride (my back tends to lock up/spasm on long climbs). So by mile 20 of 105 I was in enough pain that I had to adjust my position on the bike in search of relief every few minutes for the rest of the day. At the first aid station at Palomar’s summit, I actually considered turning around and completing one of the shorter routes. But instead, I began using the mantra of the day, “I am anti-quit” (a slogan from a triathlon apparel company T-shirt I ordered the day before so it was fresh in my mind), and headed down the East Grade descent.
The East Grade descent was a road cyclist’s wet dream; 10 miles of smooth, winding down-hill roads full of fun, but not-too-dangerous technical turns and minimal car traffic. With speeds over 45 mph, the joyride was over too soon but it was well worth the pain of the preceding climb to get there.
Back onto the main highway near Lake Henshaw, I had a nice conversation about power meters with a rider from Ventura. But then he promptly dropped me on the next big hill heading into Mesa Grande, so for the next 20 miles I mostly only heard wind through my helmet and my inner voice telling my legs and back to quit whining and try to enjoy the undulating back country roads and scenery I would likely have never otherwise experienced.
At about mile 80, heading down the beginning section of the morning’s South Grade climb, I felt good knowing I’d soon be on the final 25 mile homestretch moving toward the finish line. But then, as I followed the directional signs to turn off the highway onto Cole Grade Road, I lift my eyes and realize why “grade” is in the road’s name. The long, straight section I am on pitches skyward up the side of cliffy mountain I never knew existed. The climb is about 3 miles of 7% grade with an elusive summit that hides behind several long blind curves.
I soft pedal for a minute to take it in, and muster the required determination, before putting my head down and charging toward the hill. My legs surprise me and, although reluctant, seem to be able to handle the task. I pass several other riders from the shorter distance routes, some of whom are walking their bikes. Several times, especially at the discouraging bits that give the sense you’ve reached the top only to laugh at your pain and serve more hill, I thought these walkers might be onto something. But “Anti-Quit” kept tamping out those thoughts and I kept pedaling.
I finally get to the water station at the summit and call Melissa to ready the cheer squad because the last 18 miles should take me about 30 minutes, if all goes well. The rest of the ride progressively transitioned from remotely rural to urban and was mostly downhill with a few manageable rolling inclines. The final challenges were to negotiate the pain and embarrassment of paralyzing leg cramps while stopped at intersections, but I managed to power through without blocking traffic and make my way to the finish in about 6 hours and 40 minutes of ride time (official time minus stops to stretch and refill water bottles).
Pain always fades in retrospect, so today I can say it was a good ride, even though my back is still very sore. It was also very educational; I learned I need to be more specific in my nutrition and hydration plans for anything longer than 70 miles. But I’m proud of the finish and glad that I could bolster my confidence in my ability to go the long distance.
