Calvin's Challenge

I guess it is far past time to tell you about this past weekend's race in Dayton, OH. My dad and I left Friday and took dad's facorite way, backroads! (My least favorite) We checked in to our hotel and visited the Wal-Mart right across the street to buy water (which has always seemed like something no America should have to do) and some Airborne to fend off a potential cold for us bother. One can never be too careful when anticipating a 12 hour bike ride the next day. We then went and ate at the best carb place I could think of, Olive Garden. We both ate enough pasta, breadsticks, and salad to sufficiently pack away enough fuel for the next day. Then it was off to check in. We drove the short 10 miles to the Hampton Inn, registered and then surveyed the start of the race. I am glad we did since East Possum Rd just doesn't seem like a good road for a bike race to begin since many of those rodents have probably lost their lives on that very road. Okay maybe a little dramatic. After a tune-up on both bikes back at the hotel and then a little hockey to calm us down it was time for bed. 5:45 would be here soon.
The morning came and brought with it overcast skies and 68 degrees. Perfectly calm as far as wind goes and we were set. Race time was 7:30 and we heard the people call for 10 minutes to race time before we knew it.

The race began with much excitement and we were soon settled in to a nice pace. The first hour went by the slowest but we were picked up by a 8 person pace line about 7 miles from the 25 mile check point. The pace line is extremely significant! Dad and I, who had agreed to stay together, could average about 16-18 mph. The pace line can and does average between 18-20 mph. This is huge when riding 12 hours. We made the first 50 mile loop in 2 hrs 45 min!! This was a great start! We fueled up and got right back on the road. We also shed our top shell since the threat of rain was only that. The second loop started great but our group was now 5 altogether so it put more strain on each person because we pulled (the person in the front of the line so that others can draft off him) more often. About 17 miles into the second loop I had just finished pulling for the group when I felt like I was riding down an old log bridge. I thought something was horribly wrong with my rear tire. I was assured by Dad that it was fine and continued with the group. It was hard to tell what was the poor quality of the Ohio roads and if in fact there was something wrong until we all heard the unmistakable sound of my tire exploding. It sounds like a .22 going off and is as sickening a feeling as shooting yourself with one in the foot. So it was time to change a tire. It went very quickly but we found a 2 inch tear in my tire and two other about .5 inch tears. This the end of a good day when your tires are pumped to 110 psi. "I know what we will do" says Dad. I know he is an amazing person but what does he have up his sleeve now? THE LORD had miraculously allowed him to put a role of electrical tape in his bag and we used it to wrap and repair my tire. IT ACTUALLY WORKED!!! It got me 8 miles to the next check point where we anticipated another layer of tape. While we did this a man, who was the support crew for his wife and daughter, offered us an extra rear wheel. It was the right size, gearset and brand to perfectly fit my bike! Thank the LORD! He knew that the tape just needed to get me 8 miles.

Thanks to this man for loaning me a wheel. I caught up with him after the race to thank him profusely!!

We made it to the end of 100 miles under 6.5 hours and were quite thankful for this good time! We went to the car to fuel up again and change out wheel sets and were off again but the day only got better!! As were were at the car the earlier predicted rain came with a vengance. Once we were drenched it was not really that bad! It stopped for a while and then came again with one more furious flury! After it stopped again we reached the 25 mile point and wished for rain again because after the rain came the the WIND! This is demoralizing when you can only go about 11 mph. We pushed our pedals around and around until finally we got to the finishline and took a much needed rest. We liked the rest so much we decided to call it a day.

After we warmed up we felt good about the day and content with 153 miles in less than 10 hours! We also thanked the LORD for all that He taught us! WE CAN DO NOTHING WITHOUT HIM AND HE HAD ALL UNDER HIS CONTROL AND GUIDANCE!!!