Why, you might ask, would I do such a ride, with 4 brutal climbs and 2 fast and winding downhills that double dare you not to crash. I'd love to tell you why in two words.
The Romance.
That's right...the romance.
Its the energy felt at the starting line when 1250 riders, some there to compete, some to have fun, all gather in one small space to begin a long day in the saddle. Conversations range from "Where you from and what do you do," to "Did you hear about the guy last year who did this race on a fixed gear bike just because?" to "Yeah, I just bought this bike yesterday...we'll see how she does," to "Where do we go after crossing the start?" (That last one was my question--I was a little directionly unprepared).
Its the support you get from fellow riders on long climbs. Its the volunteers who hand you water and oreos at support stations along the way. Its the raindrops that fall softly on your face from clouds that cover Grandfather Mountain that towers above. Its the friends you make along the way on the flats so you don't have to ride alone for 3.5 hours. Its the mountain air that thins on the climbs and sweeps around you on fast downhills, giving you goosebumps despite the summer sun. Its burning lungs that beg you to stop and a heart that beats so fast and hard you think it might explode. Its some inner determination to not stop that helps you ignore your body and keep pedaling. Its that same inner something that brings prayers for help to your tongue as the top of the mountain just ahead. Its praising the Lord for 5 miles of downhill to the finish line, and its your sister yelling for you while you cross it, snapping pictures the whole time.
Its pain and tears and laughs and WOOHOOs, and its one of the best times I've ever had. 50 miles of blood, sweat, and gears.
Maybe next year I'll do the 100 mile option.
Dude, that scares me just thinking about it.
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Way to go, Katie! I'm so proud!
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