Saturday morning, after a restless night at the Motel 6 in Denison, I felt like I was signing my life away as I put my signature on the 1000k waiver dotted line. If I failed for any reason, no matter how far I went short of completion, I would not get RUSA credit for the ride. I could play it safe and just go for the 600k. My entire 3 days would be all work and no play. I hoped I would enjoy every minute!
First day route summary- 216 miles, goes east from Denison to Paris, then NW through Direct and Telephone, and back NE to hwy 271, then north across the Red River to the Choctaw Travel Center and Casino, then west, north and west to Boswell, south to Bennington, south to Albany, south to Yuba City, west to Achille, west to Colbert, then south across the Lake Texoma Dam, & up some steep hills back to Denison.
The first day of the 1000k is the same route as the first day of the 600k. I’d done the latter before and knew the essential bits of what we were in for. That’s a great help as you can plan your pace, knowing where the tough spots are and when. But, there were surprises. Starting out in Denison, we headed east through a few small towns toward Paris. There is a planned stop at Ivanhoe, mile 33. Supplies were replenished, but everyone was doing fine – it hadn’t gotten hot yet! There was another store in Tiger Town (mile 60) – we blew right past that one (and waved to Steve and Peggy who were doing the 200k) as our next official control was Paris, mile 72. But, we were in for a shock – the Paris store was closed – out of business! Must have just happened very recently as the posted gas price there was still current. Our plans to top off with ice and get some Gatorade and breakfast sandwiches were dashed! Fortunately, there was a water spigot on the property that still worked. We topped our water from the spigot and looked forward to our next official stop at the Choctaw Travel Plaza and Casino, mile 113, 48 miles away with the heat becoming ever more oppressive! We hadn’t learned our lesson, though. At mile 107 we turned left on SH 171. To head into Oklahoma. Almost directly across the highway from our turn was a store. Prudence would dictate that we should have stopped there and made sure of our supplies by topping off. We didn’t do that and it was already very hot, approaching 100° shade temperature (and over 100 out in the sun, of course). One of our 1000k group (Mark) had run out of water before making the Hwy 171 turn and had fallen off the pace before we reached 171, so we didn’t know what happened to him. He went to the 107 mile store as a matter of necessity. The rest of us went on to the Choctaw Travel Plaza and fortunately, the place was doing a thriving business. Although the heat was beginning to be a problem, the store AC felt like the arctic – awesome! We were about ready to leave the Travel Center when the other 1000k rider, Mark, arrived. He explained what had happened and asked us to wait while he got his card signed. He didn’t need anything else. Then the 4 of us left together – me, Mark, and Dana and Gary on the tandem.
From the Choctaw Travel Center, we had a 31 mile stretch to the next store. 31 miles wouldn’t be bad, except that the temperature was ramping up quickly, and there was not a cloud in sight. Dana, on the back of the tandem, suffers in the heat much more than Gary does. She already seemed to be suffering by the time we reached the Travel Center. Dana was having major issues by halfway to our next store and I feared the tandem wouldn’t make it. The temperature in the sun reached 110° by about mile 125 and clouds blossomed out of a clear blue sky just about then. By mile 145, rain was falling, but the damage was done, and Dana did not go on, beyond Bennington. Not to be put off, Gary arranged for his road bike, which he had brought along and had in his hotel room, to be delivered to the Post Office stop in Albany and Dana to be rescued from Bennington. Gary then bridged the gap to Albany, by riding the tandem solo for about 15 miles. At that point, Mark also quit and our 1000k riders were down to 2 – Gary and I.
There were 3 riders doing the 600k, as well, and they rode with us at times. All of them were suffering in the heat. I don’t know if Mark had any problems with heat, but Gary and I seemed to be the only ones not bothered on day 1. We finished Day 1 at 12:41 AM, Sunday morning, and agreed to meet at 6AM Sunday morning. That gave us a reasonable amount of sleep time.
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Second day route summary– 201 miles, goes west from Denison through Pottsboro, south on 289 (Preston) to 82, west to Whitesboro, north on 377 about 20 miles to Powell, OK, west and north to Lake Murray, around the south and west side of the lake, then the 1000 and 600 split up, with the 1000 continuing north and the 600 turning east. We continued an extra 42 miles north to the Arbuckle mountains, did a load of climbing, and finally exited the Arbuckle Mountains on the north side and got a bite to eat in Sulphur OK. Then we headed south (no more mountains but still huge rollers) to Tishomingo, then to Colbert, then back across the Lake Texoma Dam, same as previous night.
Saturday was a relatively easy day, because I knew most of the route, knew what to expect, and Dana’s heat issues led to me not having to ride hard to keep up. Sunday was a different story. It’s not that we rode fast, it’s that the heat was worse, the course hillier, and it didn’t rain. We started out with the 600k folks again. This is major climbing in places, where Day 1 mostly wasn't. It’s not like the Rockies by any stretch, but there are some very steep grades. On our approach to Lake Murray, there are couple 12% climbs, the second long enough to warrant use of the granny. I used mine and so did Gary! There are some moderately steep climbs as we navigate around the edge of Lake Murray, as well. But beautiful vistas of brilliant blue water, fringed with pine covered hills and rocky outcrops. This took our minds off the climbing and the heat for a brief interlude. Lake Murray, set in a rocky depression, is awesome in its beauty. Unlike the North Texas Lakes, this one has clear water and brilliant blue color. It sure looks very inviting and a lot of people were inviting themselves right in – water skiing, jet skiing, fishing, camping, and all sorts of other boating and recreational water activities going on out there. It was perfect weather for a day at the lake; however, anything but perfect for a 200 mile bike ride. By the time we reached the Lake Store at the NW end of the lake, the shade temperature was already at 101°. We had covered 73 miles, and already done some serious climbing. But we were nowhere near the Arbuckle Mountains. We were still with the 600k riders, but we would part company with them in another 7 miles. Then we would be on our own for the final 329 miles.
It always amazes me how beautiful and lush the Oklahoma countryside is. I guess this is why I love riding in Oklahoma. Less than 100 miles south, in north Texas, the green grass has gone pale to brown in summer heat. In Oklahoma, it’s green and lush and the rain seems to come more easily there. I wish that had been true on Sunday. The big issue for me, on day 2, and why I came so close to a DNF, was the heat, not the climbing. The latter is what I had thought it would be, starting out on day 1. I was lulled into a false sense of security on Day 1, but Day 2 brought me back to my senses. My failure to pack a sock, suitable to use as an ice sock may very well be my undoing! But first there is more to say about the climbing. The steepest climbing is on the approach to the Arbuckle Mountains, and in the heart of those mountains, right at the beginning of the Chickasaw Trail Rd – the steepest climb of the entire 3 days. By the time we were within sight of the Arbuckles, the temperature range in the sun was fluctuating between 111 and 117°. This was wilting heat! So by the time we started the real climbing, I was really suffering. When I get to the point of wilting heat, I start looking for downhill shady spots. If I get really desperate, I’ll settle for uphill shady spots on the other side of the road! Indeed, it was getting that desperate! After a “shade” stop of the latter variety, I crested the hill, and flew down an awesome descent until I finally got to a point where Gary was waiting on me, grinning ear to ear! He was so pleased to introduce me to the 20% uphill start to the Chickasaw Trail Rd. There I sat, at the beginning of that hill, feeling like death warmed over. I could barely walk, I was so weak. Fortunately, when you get that wasted, it’s easier to ride the recumbent than walk it. It sure did look like a 20% hill, but it swung around to the right, very steeply, and so it was difficult to get a true perspective on it just by looking at it. Gary was laughing as he left. He said he would see me on the other side! I sat there awhile and contemplated walking it. Finally I decided I’d be much better off if I could pedal it. There’s only one way to find out if it’s really 20%. So I go back down to the cross road, and go down that road a ways. I needed time to get rolling, get my left foot locked in on the pedal and then get it down into a good starting gear. Off I went. The pedaling was easy at first but then it did tighten up some as I started up the right-hand curve. I’m watching the inclinometer on my Garmin and the numbers are flicking upward. Finally, it settles on 13%. It goes on at 13% for a couple hundred feet. Up ahead, the road curves left, but there is no inkling if it gets steeper. Finally, I start around the left hand turn and it hangs at 11%; then levels out. Wow! Sure glad it wasn’t 20%. Did Gary really believe it was 20% or was he just putting a scare in me? Or was the real 20% hill farther ahead? That was a sobering question.
There were about 3½ miles of ups and downs after the big hill and then I came down a sweeping descent and there was a store, with Gary’s bike parked in front. His was parked in the sun; I always make a point of finding shade to park mine in. But I was having a tough time walking it up an incline to park it under a tree. But, I made it into the store and found a place to sit down. I had some iced, sweetened tea. My memory of the place is a fog, beyond the iced tea – did I have a bite to eat? I just don’t remember. From there, we had about 3 more steep hills, 2 of which were 11%, and then a nice downhill to SR 7. I was wondering then – did we have more mountains to go? Was that 20% hill still out there somewhere?
In 3 more miles, we’re at our most northerly point of the 1000k, the town of Sulphur OK. There was a McDonalds there and that’s where we were heading. Gary ordered 2 Big Macs and I ordered a Quarter Pounder with Cheese meal. I didn’t want the fries but I wanted a drink. I gave the fries to Gary. I was feeling very ill. The heat had gotten the better of me and I had a difficult time choking the burger down. The bun was literally choking me. The only way I could swallow the bun was to take a swallow of the root beer I had, with each bite. Finally I got down to the last 2 bites. I couldn’t even “drink” the bread by this time. I took the sandwich apart and ate the contents, washing that down with root beer. The rest went into the trash.
Then we started out again. Gary had called his wife and mentioned we were finished with the mountains. (Well, that answered one question).We were done with the Arbuckles, but we weren’t done with the climbing. Between the town of Sulphur and a right turn in 9 more miles, we had a series of several very long, steep rollers. They were 5 to 6% gradient, and I was climbing them at 6 mph. I was feeling very sick, very nauseated and all I could drink was my ice water and pediolyte. I just didn’t understand how I could possibly finish the day, let alone the ride. But I kept plugging along as riding was still easier than walking. Gary was patient. As it was very hot, the clouds had blossomed again but rain didn’t materialize this time. After our turn onto OK-7, some of those clouds graciously lined up over our road and gave us shade for several miles. I began to feel better – with shade came the perception of coolness. When we reached Ravia at mile 144, there was a store. We didn’t pass it. We went in and got a bag of ice and some drinks and took a break. Then we arrived in Tishomingo a few miles later and I continued to feel better. It was not long before it would be getting dark. I was so looking forward to night – night brings the end of the tough heat. But, from Tishomingo on to Colbert, I know much of the road and know how it drags on in the darkness. We had 37 miles from Tishomingo to Colbert, but it felt like double that! My strength had come back, though, and I was able to climb the hills much more easily.
The ride finishes up exactly the same way as Day 1 does – over the dam and a few very steep hills and then we were done with the second double century. One more to go! Gary and I agreed on a 5:15 AM start. We had a 12:06 AM finish to day 2 so that would give us a decent amount of down time. Problem was, I set my alarm and I’m sure it went off but I slept right through it and I woke up at 5 AM. This was very upsetting – I had no time for my oatmeal; had a cup of motel coffee as I hurriedly moved stuff from the room to the car (because I foolishly thought I would drive home after day 3, so I hadn’t a reservation for Monday night). We got started at 5:34AM after a record fast get ready, from wake up to on the bike and rolling.
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Third day route summary– 209 miles, goes west from Denison through Pottsboro, south on 289 to 56, west and south to FM 901, west to Collinsville, south on 377 to Tioga, west on FM 922 across the north side of Lake Ray Roberts to Valley View, then continues west toward Forestburg, but turning north toward Muenster about 10 miles east of Forestburg. After a stop in Muenster, we continue north through a large wind farm and head generally NW toward Illinois Bend on the Red River. We turn due north, and take the Tayoveras Indian Bridge across the Red River and reach OK 32 on the Oklahoma side. We turn east on OK 32 to Marietta. Beyond Marietta, we continue east on OK 32 until our turnoff, then a few miles west, and south, and west to US 377; then its south on 377, across the Red River, through Whitesboro, and back to Collinsville. The remainder of the route retraces our morning route back to Denison.
This loop to the west combines climbing with beautiful countryside. It isn’t difficult climbing, just lots of it. The area north of Muenster, like southern Oklahoma, has greened up nicely with recent rains. The rolling vistas on the way from Meunster to the Red River were eye candy – riveting vistas, green valleys, velvet green hills, steep rollers with pines on either side of the road, nice pavement and little traffic. I was really enjoying this part and the fatigue of the previous 2 days was washed away by the scenic distractions.
Our crossing of the Red River utilized the Tayoveras Indian Bridge. I had always been interested in the Indian Bridge whenever I saw the turnoff, which we pass on the Spanish Fort Route. Today we got to turn right and cross the bridge. The bridge must be a mile long, with very little water coursing underneath. The river is mostly dry, red sand flats. The area is beyond the reach of Lake Texoma but probably looks a lot like the river looked there, before the Lake Texoma dam was built. This was my favorite of the 3 loops and I thought it would be my least favorite. It’s just the most beautiful scenery, the nicest, most traffic free roads, and I say that despite the fact that this was the hottest of the 3 days with the least amount of cloud cover.
Once across the bridge, we ascend some stair-step hills and turn east onto OK 32, climbing a couple dozen huge, long rollers, all 6% grade, and head for Marietta OK. The stretch from Meunster to Marietta was 48 miles of these long climbs accompanied by serious heat. Clouds formed again, but they were sparse this far south, so almost no shade from them. Temp again was in the range of 111 to 117 but with no shade, it felt even worse than the day before. But I was better in my tolerance of it, until we had food at McDonalds in Marietta. I made a mistake there, got a shake with my hamburger, and the shake made me sick – too much sugar and too cold. Then I was very sick again for miles until the sun set. From Marietta, we continued east on OK 32 until our turnoff, rode the back roads to Powell, ascending some of the very steep hills we had descended the previous morning. I had wondered then, what it would be like to climb them. Well, today, after about 563 miles of riding, I found out. Mostly they were moderate, less than 11%, and no granny gear needed. But the last was the longest, and steepest, and really did look very intimidating. I put it in the granny and started up. The inclinometer got very active once again but stopped on 12%. I was glad I had some nice low gears! We reached US 377 in a couple more miles, rode about 5 mostly downhill miles to the Red River bridge, then south on 377 another 15, rolling miles to Whitesboro, and finally, 7 more less rolling miles to Collinsville. This was our last stop before Denison, and 31 miles remained. It was 9:30 PM when we reached Collinsville. We took a 1-hour break there, and then we retraced our morning route back to Denison, arriving back in Denison at 12:25 AM. I felt good at the end and strong on the climbing back into Denison (and there is lots of it).
Would I do it again? Yes, but only if temperatures were at least 15° cooler. There are limits to my stupidity! Speaking of stupidity, that’s what contemplating driving back home after a 626 mile ride, is. I booked another night at Motel 6.
The recumbent is easier on the body than a road bike, but I took 4 more days to recover from hot foot, a blister on my left foot, stiff legs, and sleep deprivation. This kind of thing takes a real toll on the body, no matter what kind of bike you ride! I haven’t ridden this week but I’m OK with that. A 626 mile weekend is also a good week!
Total miles 625.8 Total climbing 18450 ft average rolling speed 15.2 maximum speed 40.2
GPS links in order of 9/1, 9/2, and 9/3:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/218897214 http://connect.garmin.com/activity/218897154 http://connect.garmin.com/activity/218897090
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2 Flags 1000k brevet: 9-1 thru 9-3-12 (Read 1950 times)
