While Texas was enduring record high heat, Stacey and I escaped to the 2011 
JDRF Ride in La Crosse, Wisconsin where the weather was sunny and 75 degrees. What a welcome change to comfortably spend time outdoors! La Crosse is small city right on the majestic Mississippi River. It has nice hike and bike trails along the river and quaint shops and eateries in the downtown area. La Crosse is also known for its local breweries. Stacey and I went searching for some free beer and came up empty, but we did find the King of Beer who was standing on a keg, raising his beer mug, and sporting the requisite beer belly.
The 100-mile ride started on early Saturday morning (August 13). Grey clouds blanketed the sky and there was a forecast of 50% chance of thunderstorms. I had flashbacks of Killington 2009 where it rained all day. At the start it was clear and over 400 JDRF riders were off for the ride. Shortly after the start the rain did fall but our spirits were high and we did not let that dampen our enthusiasm. I tucked in with a group of riders from Indiana and made good time to the first rest stop where their group peeled off. It was too early for me to stop so I pressed on. Suddenly, I was alone. I could see no one in front of me and no one behind. It is those moments that you can 
really look around at the rolling green meadows and the fog hovering over the hilltops and appreciate the beauty of this part of the country. At mile 20 Dave, a rider from Chicago, strolled up next to me and we had a nice chat. His company sponsored over 40 riders. He is a cycling racer and has a nephew and friend with Type 1 and was back with the Ride to Cure after a 3 year hiatus. After a while I could not maintain his pace and slipped back while he pressed on. Within a few miles I reached Rest Stop #2 at 28 miles in and stopped for a break. Stacey was volunteering at this rest stop and she was there to cheer me on. She was also there with a spare, dry jersey which was much appreciated.
After Rest Stop #2 the rain stopped and the streets dried. The cycling during this stretch was its most serene and beautiful. I rode with a good steady pace pulling a fellow rider behind me. When a pack zoomed past I accelerated and tucked in behind them. This was a group of four riders from Iowa riding in a paceline. They were happy to have a fifth to help shoulder the load. They peeled off at the Rest Stop #3 while I pressed on to “the loop.” The loop circles around and ultimately brings you back to Rest Stop #3 heading back towards the finish. The loop is also the portion that had a series of steep climbs and steep descents. I would accelerate on the downhill part to gain sufficient momentum to get over the peaks. Well, maybe not completely over but a least halfway or so before I had to downshift and crank it out. At the end of the loop there was a long downhill portion where I clocked in at just over 36 mph. That was fun!!
After the loop I stopped at Rest Stop #3 for a break. This was the 58 mile mark, over halfway done at this point. I head back along the road that I came down on but realize that the journey has gotten a little more difficult. In this direction the wind had picked up and was blowing straight in my face. I had over 40 miles of headwind to look forward to. Though it makes the
cycling more difficult, I reveled in the cool breeze on my face thinking that I would never be able to experience this during the Texas summer. I latched on to a pack of four riders from Northern Wisconsin. They were struggling too in the headwind and I found that I was riding a little stronger than they were so I took to the front to pull them for a stretch. They peeled off at Rest Stop #2 but I kept going, waving at Stacey as I ride past.
I found myself alone on the road again. Being alone makes the cycling more difficult, but offers you the change to look around more freely to see the meadows and dairy cows grazing in the pastures. I find that my legs don’t seem to be spinning as fast as I want and my speed is steady but slow. At mile 86 I welcome the break at Rest Stop #1 where I can rest and refuel. The turkey sandwich and oranges really hit the spot. I press on with only about 15 more miles to go. 15 miles, that’s nothing. I head out looking for a group to latch on to but find that I am passing anyone that I see in front of me. After crossing the border from Minnesota to Wisconsin I have to turn onto a different highway where the wind is no longer in my face. What a difference that makes. I can instantly go about 2 mph faster and feel light on my feet. Soon
I am crossing over the large bridge over the grand Mississippi and I can see the flowing water extending in both directions as far as I can see. I wind through the downtown area and reach the path leading to the finish line. There are crowds of people cheering and ringing cow bells. The DJ is playing music and announces that a rider is approaching. Young children stand on the path with their hands outstretched waiting for a high-five. When you cross the finish line the crowd erupts with cheers and applause. What a great feeling!
I completed the 100 mile course in just over 6 hours on the bike. My average was 16.2 mph for the course. I always think that I could have trained a little longer or pushed a little harder but given the rain, hills, and headwind I am pleased with my performance. Who’s with me for next year?
JDRF Ride in La Crosse, Wisconsin where the weather was sunny and 75 degrees. What a welcome change to comfortably spend time outdoors! La Crosse is small city right on the majestic Mississippi River. It has nice hike and bike trails along the river and quaint shops and eateries in the downtown area. La Crosse is also known for its local breweries. Stacey and I went searching for some free beer and came up empty, but we did find the King of Beer who was standing on a keg, raising his beer mug, and sporting the requisite beer belly.
The 100-mile ride started on early Saturday morning (August 13). Grey clouds blanketed the sky and there was a forecast of 50% chance of thunderstorms. I had flashbacks of Killington 2009 where it rained all day. At the start it was clear and over 400 JDRF riders were off for the ride. Shortly after the start the rain did fall but our spirits were high and we did not let that dampen our enthusiasm. I tucked in with a group of riders from Indiana and made good time to the first rest stop where their group peeled off. It was too early for me to stop so I pressed on. Suddenly, I was alone. I could see no one in front of me and no one behind. It is those moments that you can 
really look around at the rolling green meadows and the fog hovering over the hilltops and appreciate the beauty of this part of the country. At mile 20 Dave, a rider from Chicago, strolled up next to me and we had a nice chat. His company sponsored over 40 riders. He is a cycling racer and has a nephew and friend with Type 1 and was back with the Ride to Cure after a 3 year hiatus. After a while I could not maintain his pace and slipped back while he pressed on. Within a few miles I reached Rest Stop #2 at 28 miles in and stopped for a break. Stacey was volunteering at this rest stop and she was there to cheer me on. She was also there with a spare, dry jersey which was much appreciated.
After Rest Stop #2 the rain stopped and the streets dried. The cycling during this stretch was its most serene and beautiful. I rode with a good steady pace pulling a fellow rider behind me. When a pack zoomed past I accelerated and tucked in behind them. This was a group of four riders from Iowa riding in a paceline. They were happy to have a fifth to help shoulder the load. They peeled off at the Rest Stop #3 while I pressed on to “the loop.” The loop circles around and ultimately brings you back to Rest Stop #3 heading back towards the finish. The loop is also the portion that had a series of steep climbs and steep descents. I would accelerate on the downhill part to gain sufficient momentum to get over the peaks. Well, maybe not completely over but a least halfway or so before I had to downshift and crank it out. At the end of the loop there was a long downhill portion where I clocked in at just over 36 mph. That was fun!!
After the loop I stopped at Rest Stop #3 for a break. This was the 58 mile mark, over halfway done at this point. I head back along the road that I came down on but realize that the journey has gotten a little more difficult. In this direction the wind had picked up and was blowing straight in my face. I had over 40 miles of headwind to look forward to. Though it makes the
cycling more difficult, I reveled in the cool breeze on my face thinking that I would never be able to experience this during the Texas summer. I latched on to a pack of four riders from Northern Wisconsin. They were struggling too in the headwind and I found that I was riding a little stronger than they were so I took to the front to pull them for a stretch. They peeled off at Rest Stop #2 but I kept going, waving at Stacey as I ride past.
I found myself alone on the road again. Being alone makes the cycling more difficult, but offers you the change to look around more freely to see the meadows and dairy cows grazing in the pastures. I find that my legs don’t seem to be spinning as fast as I want and my speed is steady but slow. At mile 86 I welcome the break at Rest Stop #1 where I can rest and refuel. The turkey sandwich and oranges really hit the spot. I press on with only about 15 more miles to go. 15 miles, that’s nothing. I head out looking for a group to latch on to but find that I am passing anyone that I see in front of me. After crossing the border from Minnesota to Wisconsin I have to turn onto a different highway where the wind is no longer in my face. What a difference that makes. I can instantly go about 2 mph faster and feel light on my feet. Soon
I am crossing over the large bridge over the grand Mississippi and I can see the flowing water extending in both directions as far as I can see. I wind through the downtown area and reach the path leading to the finish line. There are crowds of people cheering and ringing cow bells. The DJ is playing music and announces that a rider is approaching. Young children stand on the path with their hands outstretched waiting for a high-five. When you cross the finish line the crowd erupts with cheers and applause. What a great feeling!
I completed the 100 mile course in just over 6 hours on the bike. My average was 16.2 mph for the course. I always think that I could have trained a little longer or pushed a little harder but given the rain, hills, and headwind I am pleased with my performance. Who’s with me for next year?
