Killer Bee
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I rode Nelson Live Long & Prosper 200k+ yesterday, along with approx. 14 other LSR riders. The ride starts in Prosper & heads west to Forrestburg. This is an out & back route. It was early morning start, 7:00am. The temperature was cool ,but not to bad. Shortly after we started ,the sun rose & the temperature was not bad. I took off quickly, Val & Robin Phelps passed me on a tandem just outside of Aubrey, but I keep them in sight, & we played leap frog all the way to Forrestburg. As we made our way westward, it became cloudy & cool(cold for me). The route has 3 controls(including the beginning & end control in Prosper). I had planned to ride from Prosper to Forrestburg without stopping(64+ miles). I arrived in arrived in Forrestburg just after past 3 hrs 20mins(19+ mph avg). A quick stop & back into the hills & wind. Still very cool & cloudy at this point. I passed the other riders heading into Forrestburg(about 4/5 miles behind). I was a few hundred yards behind the Phelps, riding my ride. Saving some energy for the hills & wind that really howling at this point. There is a nice store in Bolivar(not a control on this ride), however,I filled up with water/food in Forrestburg, & had an extra water bottle in the brain box in case I ran out of water.No need to stop. As we rode back east, through Sanger ,the sun was out & became very warm. At least 10-15 degrees warmer than Forrestburg(but no less windy).The leg warmers were toasty. I wasn't going to stop at any stores on the return trip. The hills/wind were tough. I thought the tandem would drop me(since I was saving myself for the last 10 miles of this route which is mostly head on into the howling wind. Peggy, Nelson, & I rode this same route in August & the wind was howling form the south that day as well. Peggy & I fried ourselves on the section from Forrestburg from Aubrey, then barley survived the last 15 miles. I learned from that ride). The tandem was also feeling the effects of the wind/hills. Then one of the riders started cramping just outside of Bolivar, I slowed & asked if they need help, "no, were OK, just a breather." On I go, the leap frog continues. Outside of Aubrey, I make a quick pit stop. Then we ride FM 428(the same rode as the HC time trials). I had nothing at this point, I'm thinking the tandem is long gone. I crest a hill & see the tandem a few hundred yards in front of me. Then the brutal section, FM 1385-we turn right onto to this nasty chip seal road-into the 20-25(maybe more) mile headwind. This section seemed like it lasts forever. I pass the tandem again. There pulled over & resting. I keep going. Left on Fishtrap, now the wind is quartering wind, now I'm being blown sideways-great. 7+ miles to go, the tandem passes me. I'm still holding back because I know there's another left turn about 1+ form the finish-that means a strong tailwind. I keep the tandem in sight. Then, I hit the Bus 289(the left turn) & sprint to run down the tandem. I pass them, but I didn't want to step on any toes, so we rode into the control together, ONLY after Nelson has a nice 10+% grade hill to finish off the ride. Total mileage-129.31 miles. Total ride time-7hrs-50 mins. The return trip took an extra 1hr-15 mins, thanks to the wind. I spent 14 minutes off the bike. Total climbing-4,460'. That was a personal best. I was shooting for 7 hr-30 mins,but the wind/hills were not cooperating. There are at least 2/3 climbs that are 13% .Then there's Forrestburg which is just up & down. The ride was bitter sweet, this is one ride that I didn't ride with Peggy(she's resting an injury). I signed the LSR ride waiver & by habit went to hand the pen to Peggy & she wasn't there. It was hard for Peggy not tide on Sunday. Thanks for Nelson for a great route. I really enjoy this route. The roads in Wise county are great(smooth) & hilly. Nelson's new rando wheels on the Barcroft are sweet. Congratulations to everyone that rode in tough conditions, on a not so easy route. Nelson rode well after still battling the lingering effects of swine flu.
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