These are the items I need in order to do the bike portion of the event: bike, bike shoes, thin socks, helmet, gloves, computer, hydration belt, chafing stuff, tools, extra tire tube, food, sunscreen.
My super fast bike was picked up in Philly by TriBikeTransport on Friday morning. It’s being carried by truck to Arizona. Barring any issues, it should be there on Thursday when I get there. I have bike shoes that clip onto the pedals of the bike. At first, I didn’t like using them, but it’s certainly more comfortable because my feet aren’t moving around or coming off the pedals with each stroke. I’m bringing thin socks because I don’t want to have my toes smashed in the shoe (that’s uncomfortable). The rules of the bike portion require a bike helmet that is secure to your head before you touch your bike until you come back and drop it off. I don’t know why I’d take it off while riding, but I guess I better not now. I don’t want to be disqualified. My gloves are comfy and I hardly know they are there.
The computer tracks my speed and distance (it’s a good tool to stop me from going too far I’d like to stay around 19 mph for the whole distance, instead of going faster than falling back because I got tired. The hydration belt has two pods with 12 oz of liquid capacity that goes around my waist and sits on the back of my hips. I’m not sure what I’m going to fill them with yet though. Anti-Chafing stuff is important because my sweat soaked clothes will be rubbing against me for 6 (or more) straight hours (potential OUCH).
I need tools to tighten and/or adjust while I’m in the middle of the desert. Tire changing tools and an extra tube will also be on board. I also need to carry food. There’s a pocket in the back of the trisuit, one in the hydration pack and I have a pouch behind my seat.
With all this stuff, I hope there’s room for me on the bike!
I still remember that day in April when I got on the bike for the first time. I remember the goofy excitement I got when I didn’t crash. I remember the confidence I got knowing I could ride it all day if I wanted to. My first 25 mile ride damn near killed me. I was in pain for the next few days. But that didn’t stop me. I hit 30 miles the next week and then 50 miles the following week. The 50 mile mark almost became an easy target after a few more months. The first 100 mile day was exciting beyond belief. The final 7 miles or so were painful. I remember having tunnel vision and barely making it up the hill to get home, then I somehow climbed two flights of stairs to fall into bed. But I didn’t stop there. I wanted to do a full 112 miles so I knew I could do it, and I did.
Going 112 miles is going to kick my butt (but hopefully with the anti chafing stuff it won’t be rubbed raw too). I’ll have 6 (or more) hours on the bike that day with no iPod, phone, riding partner or thoughts of stopping. My mind (hopefully) will be filled with the memories and confidences I’ve built up this year and the complete certainty that the only time my helmet will come off my head is when I drop my bike off at mile 112!