Almanzo 100

Friday started out with the truck in the shop, we had to get some unexpected  work done and it took much longer than they thought it would, but at 6:30 pm we were hooked up and on the road.  Home for the weekend was the Forestville State Park campground.  We really like this park, it is a great place to stay.

Home for the weekend.

Saturday I woke up and started coffee and gathered up my food for the day.  I was happy that we had the camper, it was a cool morning.  At about 7:30 we headed to Spring Valley, I still had to check in and go over my bike.   I quickly ran over to check in; on the way out I saw Larry, Jose and Curt.  Brett was already riding as he was doing the Royal 162. 

At about 8:45 Troy and I picked a couple of spots in the middle of the group.  I know that over 1500 people had signed up this year so it was quite the crowd.  The weather was great this year, light wind and blue sky.

Ready to roll!

 Every year we sing happy birthday to Chris Skogen’s son and then we rollout.  The rollout is controlled until we hit the first gravel road.  Then the leaders take off and the rest of us find our own pace. The first climb on Nature RD is always a killer and the downhill this year was a challenge, they had fresh gravel on it for us.

We had hoped to roll into Preston at about the 3 hour mark.  Kyleen and Kerry were waiting for us on top of the hill, which is a great spot to sit and watch.  Troy and I both filled our water and restocked or food and we were off again.  The next stop was Forestville.

Heading out of Preston

When we rolled into Forestville at the 6 hour mark and there were a lot of people sitting around taking breaks.  I needed some real food at that point.  I ate my peanut butter bagels and cheese stick, downed a coke and we were off again.

The climb out of the park is a grind and then when you turn of on the Maple there are more climbs on that.  The next miles to the river crossing were pretty uneventful.  In Cherry Grove, Banjo Brothers had a tent set up with some Hamm’s beer and other goodies.  I grabbed a beer for the road and ate a few Oreos.  

This year’s river crossing was much calmer than last years.  I decided to cross the water in my socks, I did not want to risk cutting up my feet and I planned ahead and I had new pair of socks in my jersey pocket.

After the river crossing we were in the home stretch with about 20 miles left.  It was about this time that I realized that I did not have any real knee pain, I have been fighting IT band pain for a couple of years and I think that I have finally figured that out.  At about mile 88 I noticed the new gravel was a little looser than it should be.  I had a low rear tire and I had to stop.  While airing up the tire Brett rode up to us, he was almost done with the 162.  It was nice to chat with him and ride with him for a bit after I aired up the tire.  I rode for a bit and tire was still no good, I had to put a new tube in.  Brett continued on and I changed the tube.

At this point I was starting to be ready to be done and I knew the last 2 climbs are a lot of fun.  The downhill before Oriole is fun, but what goes down must go up.  I started to ride up the hill and then decided to walk.  Troy however, rode the whole thing and he waited for me at the top.  

The last climb is CTY 38, another fun one.  I rode up the climb and then started to cramp.  So I got off and walked for a bit.  I hopped back on the bike and finished out the climb on the bike.  Troy was again waiting on the top and this time we cracked open the Hamm’s, that beer tasted great! 

10 miles left, the rest of the course is just a few rollers into town.  Troy and I rode it together and finished.  Chris was standing there, as he shakes everyone on of the finisher hands, he is a class act.

I finished the 101.5 miles in 10:01, according to my Garmin.  I was hoping to finish in fewer than 10 but the flat changed that.  My 2012 time was 11:45, so I was happy with the improvement.  It was a great day on the bike and I’m looking forward to next year!  Our whole group Brett, Jose, Curt, Larry, Troy and I all finished without any major issues.

Thanks Chris and Crew for putting on this great race, you have created something that is really awesome!