From: ande10850@comcast.net
To: liznmatt <liznmatt@shentel.net>
Subject: Additional sentence at the end
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:02:04 +0000
Message-Id: <071520080102.22894.487BF70C000289C40000596E2212059214CFCAC8CFCE0A0B020E@comcast.net>


-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
From: ande10850@comcast.net
To: liznmatt <liznmatt@shentel.net>
Subject: Shenandoah report
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:23:03 +0000
>                                                                               
> Shenandoah 1200K
> 
> The mornings were always lovely, probably the best part of the ride. I've never 
> rode so many miles and smelled so much pollen. As I was heading up to Gettysburg 
> for the second time, I felt very confident about going the distance. I'd 
> completed the Leesburg 400K five weeks earlier to qualify, so the first 300K was 
> very familiar. When I missed a turn, I caught it right away.
> 
> After the Gettysburg control, I enjoyed going through the Historical Park, while 
> the first time I was more concerned if I was going the right way. Jack's 
> mountain was one of my more vivid memories. Thank goodness it was during the 
> morning hours. I crossed the bridge and right there was the first climb staring 
> me right in the face, just past the light. I started feeling the heat as I was 
> climbing and decending shadeless Harbaugh Valley Road. Then up Fort Ritchie, and 
> the finally,,ahhh,,down Raven Park.
> 
> We had a nastly typhoon-like storm the day before, and I noticed all the 
> isolated damage just before the Sharpsburg control. At the control, just took my 
> time, made sure I had enough water, sunscreen and everything else for more 
> direct sunlight. Everyone else was ready to roll, but I'll catch up. When I got 
> to Winchester, same deal, just taking care of A#1.
> 
> Finally I pass Matt's house and the real ride begins! Wow, all that moutain 
> scenery to the left--Matt you lucky dawg--. Then the sun goes down, now it's 
> dark and still muggy. There are still bugs in the air so I keep the shades on. I 
> was thankful to have felt a couple patches of cool. Me and a few other riders 
> are heading down VA-42 to Harrisonburg and can't wait to get there. I remember 
> thinking I'll go for a "Harrisonburger," LOL. I figured I'd get there at 10 PM, 
> but it was 11. What was I thinking, why did I send my drop bag to Deerfield, 
> thinking I was some kind of hot dog! Anyway, I crashed at Harrisonburg 
> nevertheless. Lasagna hit the spot. It took me an hour to fall asleep so I got 2 
> hours of sleep instead of 3. I got up, had a real good breakfast, pancakes, then 
> headed to Deerfield.
> 
> Another pleasant morning, got to the firehouse I think about 7:30. Had another 
> great breakfast, eggs and bagels. Finally got to change into some fresh rags. 
> Then I moved on to Clifton Forge, I was riding with this guy from North 
> Carolina, ?Pete? not always good with names, through the state park. It was 
> getting steamy again but at least we were in the shade, until we got to the 
> highway interchange and then BOOM! Up that hill in the direct sun and reality 
> sets in. Took a couple minutes to find the resterant, hated having to stop and 
> look around, so I asked where it was.
> 
> I did NOT want to leave that resterant. I noticed a couple riders had ice socks 
> on their necks, very creative, not to mention necessary. Now comes the toughest 
> part of the ride, leaving CF, getting thirsty just by recalling it. Left turn on 
> Ritch Patch, and then up and up and up and up. Thank God it was shaded. As I was 
> climbing I got scared. Things were adding up in my head. I've covered over 300 
> miles, this is my first 1200, the heat, water is running low. I'm thinking heat 
> stroke. I was with 2 other riders and I think what do I do if something happens 
> to one of them? Before I ran out, I got a refill from a good samaritan, which 
> ave me probably an extra 10 minutes. Then a very steep, very brief descent. The 
> hill was so steep, it overlapped a street sign at the bottom. Then, what's this, 
> more climbing? Then a very rewarding descent,,,weeeee!!
> 
> OK, we got past that monsterous mountain and I'm thinking the worst part is 
> behind me. We ot to our first store in the middle of No Man's Land and I took 
> total advantage. I rested up, re-fueled, re-iced, and re-lubed my aching toes on 
> my left foot. I felt better when I went on, but I knew, still alot of miles and 
> alot of climbing before Christiansburg. I caught up with Bill Olsen and his 
> buddy on Newport Road. We had stopped for a moment, he told me it would be 3-4 
> AM when we get to Fancy Gap. I felt like I was dreaming when he said that to me. 
> A little dazed I guess.
> 
> I stopped at a store just a few miles before Chrstiansburg, good move! They were 
> cleaned out except for a bagel and cream cheese. I thought I was very close 
> until I was introduced to Ellett Road.Those 4 miles were longer than I thought. 
> I finally made it to Christiansburg, I think about 6-7 PM, over 600K and only 
> half-way around this loop, my God. I met up with my Dad after 2 long days. I not 
> only thought about how far I rode, but also how far he drove to meet me at the 
> checkpoint.
> 
> The journey to Hillsville was actually quite pleasant. After a little confusion 
> looking for Childress Rd, I started my trek down Indian Valley Rd. Then I saw 
> two sets of lights whizzing by going the other way, our lead riders no doubt. It 
> was now dark and cooler. I was alone but content. I think I encountered a 
> spiritual zone. My saddle pain was gone, and the pain in my toes were gone. 
> There was climbing but I didn't mind, I was like a lone viking paddling his way 
> along a calm moonlit sea. I was determined to reach Fancy Gap before sleeping. I 
> figured I would just drop like a Dr Suess character when I got there. 
> 
> I finally climbed up into the Hillsville control just past 1AM. I met Claire for 
> the first time, she was very enthusiastic and hospitable when I got there. I was 
> totally, totally taken care of, this was no gas-mart. I thanked everyone alot 
> and told them I was moving on. Then I realized I had to be back there by 8:30 
> AM. So much for my beauty sleep at the Gap.
> 
> Well, Bill was right, it was 3 AM when I got to Fancy Gap, it was actually COOL 
> riding in. I was still able to chow down a couple burgers and chat a bit before 
> sleep, again they were very nice and very hospitable. I was to be awakened in 2 
> hours so I got one hour of sleep, so much for my "drop dead" plan.
> 
> I got up, rustled around, wolfed down a hard boiled egg and left right as they 
> were boarding up. When I got back to Hillsville I felt more at ease because we 
> had until 2 PM to get back to Christiansburg. When I left I took no chances, got 
> 2 extra quarts of water and jammed them in my saddlebags. Now it's daytime, now 
> it's hot and I get to see the hills I didn't see before,,,and the scenery as 
> well.
> 
> I took another snooze when I got  back to Christiansburg. I was there with 4 
> other guys. I dawdled a bit more so I was the last one to leave. Ellett Road was 
> alot nicer going down, needless to say. There I was chugging on, took another 
> snooze in the shade. Then I caught up with Dave, Geoff, Phil and Chris at the 
> general store. Onward to Buchanen we go. A few nice shaded rolling hills and the 
> n BOOM! A stop sign with a very steep but short hill staring us right in the 
> face. Where did that come from? I got up then I went a little further. As I 
> shifted down to climb another hill, the dreaded unthinkable happens, my chain 
> broke! Man, all this way and I'm gonna drop out 900K into the ride. Fortunately 
> Phil Creel was close behind with his knowledge and skills on chain repair. 
> Thanks to him, I was able to go on. 
> 
> I met up with my Dad when I got to Buchanen. It was 11PM and I was just a bit 
> out of it. I got something to eat and then slept for about an hour in the front 
> seat of the SUV. When I got up I felt somewhat rested, then I ventured on into 
> the total darkness of who knows what? on US 11. I passed through the town of 
> Lexington, as dead to the world as I think everyone else was. 
> 
> Later I caught up with Dave and Geoff and rode with them up to Harrisonburg. I 
> stopped to snack and let them go ahead. I think it was about 10:30 AM when I got 
> back to Harrisonburg. I thought it would be a good idea to sleep, but then I was 
> advised to move on because of the heat and the time. So a quick shower, some 
> caffine, snacks, water and electrolites for the road and I'm off again. It was 
> nice at first, all downhill, but it was getting brutally hot fast. "Good call 
> Claire," would have been worse if I waited. It felt like the hottest day yet. 
> Rolling hills, steep hills and no shade. When I saw the tall Shell sign about 
> 1/4 mile off the route, I had to go for it. When I got to the top of the hillon 
> US 11, I was greeted by the photographer, who had taken numerous pictures and 
> had a trunkful of cold drinks, couldn't ask for a more welcome sight.
> 
> I rolled into Middletown at about 4 PM and met up with Dear old Dad again. Dave 
> and Geoff had left a little before me so they were pretty much ready to roll 
> when I arrived. There was a nice couple there at the control, ( I should have 
> noted names better ) very helpful and supportive.
> 
> OK, home stretch, all I want to do is make sure I do everything right. When I 
> got to the first store, I could tell "Dave and Geoff wuz here" when I saw the 
> half full bag of ice on the bench, thanx guys! When I went over the stone 
> bridge, I hit a pothole and my front light fell off, ugh, last thing I need. OK, 
> now going up Mt Carmel, gotta keep moving but don't burn out! Now I'm getting 
> closer to the Finale Climb. When I got to the end of River Road, chowed down 
> several fig newtons before the big climb. Up until now, I've been at the tail 
> end, but made it to the controls with ample time. Now I had to make up for what 
> I think were those uncalculated extra miles at the end. I had 24 miles to cover 
> in just a little over 2 hours. So I charged up that sucker like a madman. It's 
> amazing how much energy I had with about only 4 hours of sleep over the last 4 
> days. When I got to BUS 7, 14 miles to go, one hour left, OUTA MY WAY!! I 
> maintained my presence to stop for lights, but wasted no tim
> e. Raced up that last hill before Dry Mill. When I got to Catoctin Circle, big 
> sigh of relief, homefree! Rode it like a baby carriage from there to the 
> COMFORT.
> 
> As I turned onto Prosperity, I heard Claire, " yay Mike." They all clapped and 
> were so happy and relieved to see me. Wow, is this how you treat all your 
> guests? I finished the ride with 10 minutes to spare!
> 
> After a brief interview, a refreshing beverage and what was left of the 
> celebration feast, time to start cooling the engines, which would be an 
> extremely slow and steady process.
> 
> I had withdrawn from PBP last year because of a physical condition that was of 
> concern to me. Even though the weather was bad, so I heard and read, I think I 
> would have liked to be one of those brave souls who trudged through all that 
> muck. I was determined to somehow make up for it with something difficult. I 
> would like to thank Matt for providing enough hills, and miles,,,,,,,,and heat 
> LOL that I feel satisfied that I've made up for it. I would also like to thank all the other voluteers and everyone else who donated their time for this memerable event.
> 
> Michael Anderson