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Ultra Cycling Records "My daughters were holding a BRIGHT NEON PINK sign that said, 'That's our mom on the 2005 Border-to-Border'. That sign means as much (or more) to me than the plaque that I'll be getting." by Carol Chaffee & John Hughes |
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during her Colorado south-to-north record. Terry Zmrhal photo |
It took less than 18 hours for Carol Chaffee to bicycle the length of Colorado. In the process, she shattered the national record for riding from the New Mexico border to the Wyoming border.
Chaffee, 50, is from Arvada, CO. She averaged 17.97 miles for the 310-mile ride on Sept. 17. She finished in 17 hours, 15 minutes. The old record, set in 2001, was 19 hours, 37 minutes.
Chaffee said: "Challenging the Colorado record seems a great way to celebrate my 50th year on this planet! The record attempt was made even more enticing for me because I was challenging a record set by a younger man, and this makes the win twice as gratifying."
during her Colorado bicycle record. Terry Zmrhal photo |
Per the ultracycling rules, a record challenger is required to start and finish at the same locations as previous record holders, but she is free to choose what she believes will be the best route. Chaffee started at Raton Pass on I-25 on the New Mexico border at 4:17 a.m. on September 17.
"Riding in the dark has long been one of my favorite things to do. It's so quiet and peaceful, and you get to watch the entire world wake up. However, along with sunrise often comes wind.
"When I scouted the route, I noticed several signs along the highway between Trinidad and Walsenburg which said 'CAUTION: Strong winds possible'. On the record day there were lots of cross winds to deal with, some strong enough to nearly dump me over. With a water bottle in one hand, and the other hand on the handlebars I struggled not to 'visit the pavement'.
"Soon the sun begins to rise and EVERYTHING takes on an orange glow. Right now I can't think of a better place to be, and I am almost certain now that I CAN make it to Wyoming. < grin >
Carol Chaffee on her Colorado record John Hughes photo |
"Even though I am getting a little warm with all the clothes that I have on (it was 45 degrees at the start), I resolve NOT to stop until our first exit from the Interstate. I peel off what I can while riding, and shove my sleeves up ... and bear with it ... my race time is ENTIRELY dependent on how little time I spend OFF the bike today. (I think my crew was regretting all the coffee that they'd had earlier in the morning by the time I DID stop. < wink >)"
In a record attempt the clock doesn't stop for any reason. Chaffee rode 91.5 miles on the I-25 shoulder before her first brief bathroom break. She covered the first century in five hours nine minutes and sped through the 200-mile mark in 10 hours 31 minutes.
"Back on the highway heading towards our next exit (Highway 83 to Fountain), where we would take Highway 83 North all the way to Chambers Road.
John Lee Ellis. John Lee Ellis photo |
Traffic through Colorado Springs was even worse than I could have imagined - couldn't hit a green light to save my soul, so LOTS of time spent sitting at lights. I certainly don't remember all these HILLS from when I drove the route though. < hmmmmm >
"Ran into some road construction north of Colorado Springs. Nothing worse than having to be the 'lead bike' with a string of cars sitting behind you as you all travel through the ONE lane that is open.
"Heading towards Franktown, and then Parker ... I DID remember all the hills, so prepared myself mentally -- knowing that once I topped out, it was going to be a gradual downhill for a LONNNNG ways ... Couldn't help but remember the countless times that I'd done the Elephant Rock Century and how I'd struggled up that same hill ... Everything is subject to change ...
"As I topped out it seemed that the winds were changing, and in my favor. < YOWSA > I was feeling GREAT and decided to take advantage of the winds, and worked hard for the next 40 miles. Wasn't needing much except an occasional bottle from my crew, so just flew by them every time they stopped. (I'm sure they wondered 'WHY' I had invited them along?)
Victor Gallo, the clown. John Hughes photo |
"My daughters wanted to come out and cheer me on, but I was way ahead of the suggested time, so I asked the crew to give one of my daughters a call, and a head's up. < "aaaaahhh .. FINALLY a task for us to DO" they thought! >
Having my daughters come out to cheer me on was going to be the highlight of my day and I did NOT want to be disappointed by getting there too soon ... There they were holding a BRIGHT NEON PINK sign that said, 'That's our mom on the 2005 Border-to-Border'< grin > Apparently, it had been a group effort that morning .. as they all drew and wrote on the sign. That sign means as much (or more) to me than the plaque that I'll be getting."
With their spirits high Chaffee and the crew leap-frogged north through Brighton and up US 85 to Platteville. From Platteville they took back road for about 30 miles to take a more direct route past Greeley.
"Darkness was still a few hours away, but I found myself wanting to work harder to avoid as much night riding as possible. And work, I did ... But dark was inevitable and somewhere north of Greeley we had to ' light up ' once again.
Terry Zmrhal photo |
"Unfortunately, as darkness settled in, the prevailing northerly winds picked up... AND I had 25 miles of rolling hills to the Wyoming border. < hmmmm Can anyone in the van remember WHY it I wanted to do this?? > Without the feedback of seeing the world go by, it seems like you are traveling so much slower at night. I tried to stay strong mentally, and just kept working as hard as I could.
"I remembered the terrain from my drive and was pretty sure that I would recognize the last hill when I saw it -- but could not for the life of me remember what the exact LAST mile marker was. Each mile marker was torture, because I was hoping that IT was the last.
"Since it was dark, and my computer had not been visible for some time I had NO idea of the time, but figured it must be after midnight. Before I knew it I was looking at the sign for Laramie County, followed by mile marker 0.0 < big grin!! >
in Wyoming and looks back at Colorado. John Hughes photo |
"I just stood by my bike, letting the excitement of finishing come over me, and waiting excitedly to find out what time it was. I was THRILLED to find out that I had finished in 17 hours 15 minutes. LOTS of hugs and pictures. What a GREAT day it was!! It is such an awesome feeling to have trained so well for an event that it is actually FUN.
"My daughters cheering me on was the highlight of the day, but they weren't the only ones! Fred Boethling, the Records Chair came out to applaud. UMCA prez John Lee Ellis planned his Saturday ride to intersect my route in Brighton so he could take photos. And my friends Erika Hesterberg and Carol Garnand cheered me on from Platteville to Wyoming. Erika, 15, is now riding my first bike, my steel Bianchi that won my division of the Bob Cook Mt. Evans Hill Climb three times.
"Many thanks have to go out to my crew members. Victor Gallo was the life of the party and kept me smiling all day. Terry Zrmhal was AWESOME at giving me all my turn cues AND a mighty fine massage therapist, I might add. And, of course, John Hughes, my UMCA official. SOOOO much experience sitting in that van. Thank you all for taking a weekend out of your lives to help me set the record.
John Hughes photo |
Official record: September 17, 2005, 310 miles, 17 hours 15 minutes, 17.97 mph.
Start: Raton Pass on I-25 at CO/NM state line
Finish: US 85 at CO/WY state line.