I think today was the most brutal ride that I have ever been on. Bicycle ride. 50 miles of rain, traffic, mud and hell all in San Francisco. It was kinda fun. My body is beat up now, though! This was the final race in a six race series, modeled after a day in the life of a bicycle courier. The first half consisted of 6 different pick ups, as well as 6 consecutive drops. All of the pick ups had to be done in order, while the 6 drops could be done as was convenient. Once all 6 pick ups and drops were completed, we met back at Godspeed Courier's offices for the second set of pick up and drops.
There were six pick ups and six drops again, only this time we could choose the pick ups in whatever order we wanted to, again, dropping the packages in the most convenient way. Did I mention that it was raining? The overall winner was on a track bike, with the rest of the top 5 being roadies. 6 through ten were track bikes.
I ended up finishing tenth overall. And I almost quit! I also finished as the 4th non-messenger and 5th track bike today. 6 of the top ten were daily bicycle messengers, and following them is a great way to get around the city in a hurry! Much respect to those guys and girls!! I finished the race in 4 hours and 8 minutes. The winner finished in 3 hours and 15 minutes!!!
In the overall points for the six race series I came in 17th overall. Crap. I also finished 8th overall track bike and 8th overall non-messenger. double crap. It's real fun trying to figure out the routes, and I wish that I got to race all the events in the series. Super bummed about missing the trans-bay relay. That would have been fun.
so...I was soaking wet, my bike is muddy, my right calf is in a perma-cramp and I have a dehydration headache. But I made some cool friends, learned a lot about my own endurance and what I need to work on. Climbing. More climbing. I hate it, and I suck at it. So I better start doing it more.
There were six pick ups and six drops again, only this time we could choose the pick ups in whatever order we wanted to, again, dropping the packages in the most convenient way. Did I mention that it was raining? The overall winner was on a track bike, with the rest of the top 5 being roadies. 6 through ten were track bikes.
I ended up finishing tenth overall. And I almost quit! I also finished as the 4th non-messenger and 5th track bike today. 6 of the top ten were daily bicycle messengers, and following them is a great way to get around the city in a hurry! Much respect to those guys and girls!! I finished the race in 4 hours and 8 minutes. The winner finished in 3 hours and 15 minutes!!!
In the overall points for the six race series I came in 17th overall. Crap. I also finished 8th overall track bike and 8th overall non-messenger. double crap. It's real fun trying to figure out the routes, and I wish that I got to race all the events in the series. Super bummed about missing the trans-bay relay. That would have been fun.
so...I was soaking wet, my bike is muddy, my right calf is in a perma-cramp and I have a dehydration headache. But I made some cool friends, learned a lot about my own endurance and what I need to work on. Climbing. More climbing. I hate it, and I suck at it. So I better start doing it more.
VIEW 4 of 4 COMMENTS
maddigan:
Well, Will without whiskey is 
jane_m:
yeah, i usually drink till i sleep too, unfortunately i am one of those people that can drink and drink and then drink some more and not get tired. oh so healthy.