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| Darin Messer and RAIN 2008. |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Moore-Gray Goat Sports Mountain Bike Race Team |
Friday
Greenwood-to-Terre Haute=84 miles solo
Saturday
Terre Haute-to-Richmond=160 miles
Richmond-to-Greenfield=42 miles solo
First Single Day Double Century Complete=Another check mark on my life list!!!!
2 Day total=286 miles; 1 flat tire; 19 hours in the saddle. And-Yes, the back side is sore........
A Few Quick Observations:
First 2-3 hours on Saturday was in the pouring rain. Many crashes and the peloton was very
unorganized and fast. The lead group was very motivated to drop everyone.
I got dropped from the first lead group right outside of Terre Haute. Rode by myself from Terre Haute to
Brazil. Second group caught me in Brazil and I stayed on for several miles before the hills got the best
of me and I got kicked off the back. Once again found myself all alone. Mostly by myself until
Indianapolis.
NEVER AGAIN will I use a rack mounted bag in an organized ride such as this. Because I was solo with
no support, I used a seat post clamp-on rack to carry a bag with extra supplies. This bag weighed me
down by 10-12 pounds and acted like a darn pendulum swing on the back of the bike. I could not stand
up without it swaying back and forth and messing with my balance. Plus, the extra weight was brutal
on the climbs. With this extra weight and tired legs from Friday's ride, I just could not stay with the fast
group no matter how hard I tried. Plus, the bad was soaking wet.
I have never been so frustrated on the bike carrying this darn bag. Once in Camby, I stopped at Kenny's
house and dumped this bag in his garage. What a life saver!!!! As soon as I pulled out of Kenny's
house, I jumped in a pace line all the way through Indianapolis. I felt like I was on a new bike and had a
renewed sense of strength.
I had to make more stops to fill up water at this point, but I did not care as I was not racing for time.
US 40 from T.H. to Indy is hilly. Not hilly like Colorado or even southern Indiana, but hilly none the less.
This same route has a lot of rotten road kill:( I received some good altitude training by holding my
breath so much.
Infinite custom powder drink is the "REAL" deal. I have been using it for 3 weeks now and it works
perfectly. E.G.-I did not have an ounce of solid food until 5pm on Saturday. I only sipped my custom
made powder drink throughout the day and really felt good. No cramps at all. I had a coke and pb&j
sandwich in Richmond. But only b/c it was there, not because I felt like a needed it.
I got rained on again at the end of the day right outside Greenfield. However, my mom picked me up
just before the storms really opened up. I was lucky, but was not about to quit so close to the 200 mile
mark.
After so many lonely miles on the bike, I think I have solved many of the world problems:) Maybe I
should run for public office??
I sure missed Spivey blocking the wind for me on the Greenfield to Richmond stretch along US 40. Just
brutal!!
I had the most fun riding from Richmond (finish line) back towards Greenfield on US 40. There were
still several riders coming in for the next 20 miles. I was cheering for them and yelling encouraging
words to help them finish. And, I received some encouraging words back for still riding. That me me
feel good.
The FINAL rider I passed was on a single speed chopper bicycle. No joke. I thought for sure he was
some local just tooling around. When I passed him, I turned around and sure enough, he was wearing
a bib number. That was very impressive. I sure hope he finished!!!
If you are reading this and ever hear me speak of doing a double century again, kindly remind me to
remember the pain and suffering from RAIN 2008!!!
Greenwood-to-Terre Haute=84 miles solo
Saturday
Terre Haute-to-Richmond=160 miles
Richmond-to-Greenfield=42 miles solo
First Single Day Double Century Complete=Another check mark on my life list!!!!
2 Day total=286 miles; 1 flat tire; 19 hours in the saddle. And-Yes, the back side is sore........
A Few Quick Observations:
First 2-3 hours on Saturday was in the pouring rain. Many crashes and the peloton was very
unorganized and fast. The lead group was very motivated to drop everyone.
I got dropped from the first lead group right outside of Terre Haute. Rode by myself from Terre Haute to
Brazil. Second group caught me in Brazil and I stayed on for several miles before the hills got the best
of me and I got kicked off the back. Once again found myself all alone. Mostly by myself until
Indianapolis.
NEVER AGAIN will I use a rack mounted bag in an organized ride such as this. Because I was solo with
no support, I used a seat post clamp-on rack to carry a bag with extra supplies. This bag weighed me
down by 10-12 pounds and acted like a darn pendulum swing on the back of the bike. I could not stand
up without it swaying back and forth and messing with my balance. Plus, the extra weight was brutal
on the climbs. With this extra weight and tired legs from Friday's ride, I just could not stay with the fast
group no matter how hard I tried. Plus, the bad was soaking wet.
I have never been so frustrated on the bike carrying this darn bag. Once in Camby, I stopped at Kenny's
house and dumped this bag in his garage. What a life saver!!!! As soon as I pulled out of Kenny's
house, I jumped in a pace line all the way through Indianapolis. I felt like I was on a new bike and had a
renewed sense of strength.
I had to make more stops to fill up water at this point, but I did not care as I was not racing for time.
US 40 from T.H. to Indy is hilly. Not hilly like Colorado or even southern Indiana, but hilly none the less.
This same route has a lot of rotten road kill:( I received some good altitude training by holding my
breath so much.
Infinite custom powder drink is the "REAL" deal. I have been using it for 3 weeks now and it works
perfectly. E.G.-I did not have an ounce of solid food until 5pm on Saturday. I only sipped my custom
made powder drink throughout the day and really felt good. No cramps at all. I had a coke and pb&j
sandwich in Richmond. But only b/c it was there, not because I felt like a needed it.
I got rained on again at the end of the day right outside Greenfield. However, my mom picked me up
just before the storms really opened up. I was lucky, but was not about to quit so close to the 200 mile
mark.
After so many lonely miles on the bike, I think I have solved many of the world problems:) Maybe I
should run for public office??
I sure missed Spivey blocking the wind for me on the Greenfield to Richmond stretch along US 40. Just
brutal!!
I had the most fun riding from Richmond (finish line) back towards Greenfield on US 40. There were
still several riders coming in for the next 20 miles. I was cheering for them and yelling encouraging
words to help them finish. And, I received some encouraging words back for still riding. That me me
feel good.
The FINAL rider I passed was on a single speed chopper bicycle. No joke. I thought for sure he was
some local just tooling around. When I passed him, I turned around and sure enough, he was wearing
a bib number. That was very impressive. I sure hope he finished!!!
If you are reading this and ever hear me speak of doing a double century again, kindly remind me to
remember the pain and suffering from RAIN 2008!!!