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Ultra Cycling Records "I had no idea!" |
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The 342 mile course began on State Highway 68 between Laughlin and Bullhead City. We traveled northeast to State Highway 93 and continued east to Interstate 40 to Lupton and to the New Mexico border.
We began on the bridge over the Colorado River between Laughlin and Bullhead City. Once I touched land on the Arizona side of the river, the record attempt was on. It started with a lovely 12 mile climb. The only good thing about this climb was that it was 92 degrees at the base and 85 degrees at the summit. I knew the faster I got to the top, the sooner I would experience decent weather. I now consider myself an expert on rumble strips. I saw every one or more aptly stated, I felt every one. Rumble strips and climbing were the challenges for the first 180 miles to Flagstaff. Everyone told me there was a lot of climbing, but I had no idea they meant this much. At one point I thought there was no way I would be able to finish. I sat with my head in my aching hands and all I could say was, "I had no idea". I kept repeating this but my crew would not listen. They knew I could finish. Ultimately they were right. After Flagstaff things were looking good until 1:30 to 4:00 a.m. I did not think I could stay awake. Once again, my crew came through and would not let me sleep or even think of it. They rested but I could not. Once the sun came up I woke up again and was fine. With the sun came a slight headwind and lots of rollers. Close to the finish the wind changed and I had a nice tailwind. With 20 miles to go, I knew I could make it, fulfilling what my crew had known all along.
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