stories from the trail
I started this race not knowing exactly how I would feel for I just started a new diet a month or so before. Early on in the ride I somewhat lethargically was searching for a little energy and was wondering if the new diet that worked so well for me during training might not really been the best choice for longer endurance racing? Boy, did that thought change quickly! After the first hour I felt rather amazing and was surprised by how effortlessly I was moving along. Before I knew it I was already 51 miles into the ride, still feeling great. I stopped then to resupply food and water before moving on. On this new Keto diet I don't need to eat nearly as much so I just had a hand full of nuts and a little water then was on my way again. The next 25 miles would see me arriving along the coast. My next stop was at the bike shop as somehow along the way I had lost my CO2 cartridge and needed someway to air up just in case of a flat tire. The following 35 or so miles were along the curving coastline with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and all the vacationers enjoying the great beaches of Southern California. At that moment I realized just how lucky I am to be one of the people who do not have to leave! Torrey Pines along the coast approximate mile 80 on the route!
I was sorry to see the coast leave my second refueling stop at the Quickmart being 110 miles into the ride was a much needed stop. From there it was going to be a long arduous climb back up to Julian and to my car parked at the finish line! Around 1:00 am in the morning I arrived in Ramona and my final stop before pushing on to the finish in Julian. I was still feeling surprisingly strong but my lights were not! They were really starting to fade and I knew the big downhill singletrack to Cedar Falls would have to be hiked instead of ridden as well as the massive climb back up to Eagle Point road. I arrived at the downhill and dismounted my bike and would hike what seemed like hours into the darkness, finally after what seemed like an eternity I managed to intersect Eagle Point road and once again pedal my bike. I had about 12 miles to go but the climbing was something that I had never really experienced before relentless! But along this stretch the sun would come out and I could smell the barn and the finish line. I pushed on knowing I was getting very close to the end of the race and could finally get some sleep! I finally ended up in Julian at the beginning of where this all started! I had ridden 173 miles with about 14000 feet of elevation gain in 22 hours and 2 minutes. So some final thoughts: 1. The diet seem to work great. 2. Have an extra light if planning on riding all night and an extra battery. 3. Sleep deprivation can be a lot of fun and feel kind of trippy! 4. And above all just enjoy the ride! 5. Rich Wolf put together a great series of rides and I hope to do the desert loop next! Here is the facebook page for the Julian challenge. Here is a link to my facebook page for some photos along the route! Thanks for reading, Shane Rauch SBR Adventure Cycling
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