Ride Report 5/23/09 – Heartbreak Hundred (Lebec, CA)

Unlike last year I was really looking forward to Heartbreak this time. The weather promised to be great and I physically felt fantastic. I’d spent the majority of the previous week off the bike, not completely by choice, and the legs were ready and willing.

Start times for the under six hour riders were scheduled between 8:45 and 9:00 so I had a leisurely morning getting on the road. A 6:30 departure from home got me there with time to spare and I was checked in and ready to roll by 8:15.  The weather promised to be warm and sunny so I kitted light. The rider who had parked next to me asked if arm warmers would be necessary. I just looked at him, uh no. I didn’t give too much thought to starting this early since the previous year I’d finished in 6:32 total time, little did I know how good I was feeling this year . . .

They were adamant as we gathered at the start line that all riders follow the official course, including a return that did not cut through the truck stop parking lot. Duly noted I headed out. Right off I could see why they delayed the stronger riders (who me, stronger?). All along Frazier Park Road I had over 100 fellow riders, some riding side by side, others in long strung out pace lines.  I tried to be polite, but probably irritated a few as I sped past.

Just before the transition to Cuddy Valley Road a five man pace line overtook me.  Several riders I’d passed previously were in it and I latched onto the back as they passed me. It’s a series of rollers at this point in the course and a guy in the Navigators jersey was on the front the whole way. We never rotated and I thought back to last year when I’d made a similar mistake, adrenaline and testosterone getting the best of me. Needless to say as the road began to kick-up the pace line splintered and I headed down the road feeling just fine.

The road tilted up as we headed towards Apache Saddle.  There’s a really great descent along the way and speeds of 50 mph are easily attained. The only hindrance can be other riders, but this year I had managed to situate myself where I was able to pretty much open it up and enjoy the descent.  The grades along this stretch also tickle 10 to 12 percent on the positive side.  At one such spot the group packed up into about 10 riders as we all struggled up the incline.

The first rest stop was stationed a bit further up the road than last year at mile 20. I paused long enough to refill my bottles, grab some snacks, and take a leak. Then it was on to a great 20 mile descent into the valley.

I covered the first section essentially solo. It tilts up here and there, but for the most part it’s a fun ride down with sweeping turns and the valley stretch out before you. Along the last 5 or so miles I started catching other riders one by one. I didn’t let my speed drop below my biggest gear and always maintained a tuck. I still felt super strong and I noted a headwind! A head wind going north meant a tailwind going south. The pull along Highway 33 would be a whole different story this year if conditions didn’t change.

At 41 miles plus I made the right turn onto Highway 33 which amounted to a section of downhill and then a flat stretch leading to the left onto Highway 33 proper. And there was a tailwind, or at least NO headwind. This was too good to be true. I put my hands on the drops and started pressing down on the pedals, careful to never cross my threshold. Just keeping it below the point where the lactic acid starts to burn, Though nothing to brag about, I was able to maintain 20+ mph solo the whole way to Ventucopa. There was a rider about 100 meters or so in front of me the whole way and I just kept him in my sights. I also kept a close eye on the odometer. No way I was going to miss Rest Stop #2 this year.

As mile 54 approached a cluster of buildings marked my destination. I pulled in, parked my bike and headed over to the tables. They’d set up a rack with multiple spigots to refill your bottles. They were labeled Rocket Fuel, High Octane, etc which was good for a chuckle. There were also some victims of the double century parked on plastic chairs. I did not envy their position, what with another 100 miles ahead of them.

I filled up on some snacks, swallowed two Advil and some more electrolyte capsules and then headed out.  A large group had come and gone while I was stopped and I saw what must have been a 10 man pace line vanishing over the horizon as I started out.

The next 13 miles were essentially a series of rollers that gradually elevated me about 1,600 feet. It’s so subtle, I really didn’t feel it. About a mile or so before the left turn onto Lockwood, a tandem smoked past. We exchanged greetings briefly and they were gone, though I was able to keep them in my sights when the road straightened out.

As a SAG van passed I followed them onto Lockwood for the assault on Heartbreak Hill. There was a bit of a headwind and it was getting hot. To top it off both my feet started to heat up. I’d kept the buckles loose, but it had not helped. The area around both my fifth metatarsals was on fire. I’d never experienced it before and all I could do was continue to loosen my shoes to the point where my feet were essentially floating.

The road tilted skyward as Heartbreak approached and knowing the next rest stop was close I started dumping water over my head to cool off. Last year I’d been passed on this ascent, this year the tables were turned. I easily passed five to ten riders on my way up. It felt great. Of course once up the big grade it was probably another mile to the actual rest stop, but no matter, the worst was behind me (or so I thought).

Ok, so I knew there were still two moderate climbs to go, but they were at manageable grades. I filled up both bottles with ice water and grabbed a few snacks - few being the mistake. I hadn’t eaten since the 2^nd rest stop and my tank, without me realizing it, was nearing empty. In retrospect, I should have been eating before Heartbreak Hill.  Needless to say I tackled the next two climbs in a deteriorating condition. So much so that I was passed by those I’d conquered on Heartbreak Hill.

I don’t recall once thinking about food so it was with some surprise as I topped the final climb I suddenly felt completely drained. Now there was a head wind and I started getting that same bonged out feeling that I had experienced on the back end of the Climb to Kaiser. Damn! Though it wouldn’t really help I shoved some Power Bar into my mouth and soldiered on. It did revive me a bit and I pushed through the final seven miles back to the start.

Diligently retracing my steps along Peace Valley Road I passed under the finish banner behind the Best Inn and headed in to record my return. Deborah called out my arrival time as 2:04. Wow, I’d completed the ride in, let me see, 5:49. 5:49! Geez, I’d beat last year’s time by 43 minutes. I also soon realized that anything earlier than 2:00 pm would not have mattered, officially that is.

So there it was another great ride with the added bonus of actually smoking my previous year’s time. Not eating before that final climb was a dumb mistake, but the miles leading up to it had proven that keeping myself topped off did make a difference. I’ve already ordered a fresh supply of Power Bars, Clif shots and Hammer Gels to get me through the rest of the year.