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• Epic Ride 2009 Wrap-up

Epic Ride 2009 Wrap-up

Yes, it was truly Epic.  Everyone who participated in the ride on Saturday will now understand how and why the ride derived its name.  Initially it was just considered a long ride.until we encountered conditions like last Saturday, then it was deemed the Epic Ride!

The morning of this years ride dawned mildly but rain in the later part of  the day was lurking in the forecast.  The first group of 24 riders left the parking lot at 6:40 am under mostly dark skies.  A second group of 20 riders departed the pool at 7:45 am with the remainder of riders leaving after 8:30 am.

In all, 47 people started and completed the Epic Ride in one form or another, and have their own story to share.   The commonality.every single rider encountered difficult conditions on or near the Castle Rock Peak. 

The Castle Rock Peak is the highest peak in the Santa Cruz Mountain Range at 3100 feet of elevation and our team riders have a long history of battles both won and lost near Castle Peak.  The "curse" of Castle Rock has brought many of our riders to their knees literally, or lying on their backs literally, or resting/sleeping at the fire station or completing the ride via the SAG.

Castle Peak comes very late in the ride (80 miles) when most riders are depleted nutritionally, emotionally and muscularly.  Climbing to that altitude from near sea level is demanding and the weather always throws challenges the rider's way.  We have had snow, hail, rain, wind and extreme heat on our way to Castle Peak. 

Some "take-away" learning points from the year's ride that may aid you in future Epics or other rides are:
1. Realize that the Epic Ride is a different than our normal "training" rides.  The Epic is more like a long distance tour that takes more planning, logistics, and weather monitoring.  Just powering through the course regardless of conditions is not something most of us are capable of.
2. Realization of the various "micro-climates" of our unique geography.  Anytime you climb to the top of Skyline have a back-up layer of clothing.  If you get caught without enough clothing, find a newspaper or plastic bag or something dry to stuff under your jersey to act as insulation from the biting cold.
3. There is no possible way to stay dry while on your bike in the rain, regardless of how much you spend on your waterproof jacket.  Accept the wet, but fight the cold.  Attempt to stay as comfortable as possible throughout the entire ride through movement and insulation.
4. Realize that stopping for extended periods of time out in the elements can lead to a challenging restart due to great dips in momentum and motivation. 
5. With threatening weather constant and consistent flow before the onset of inclement weather hits should be a widely adopted strategy. 
6. Always reserve energy for the end of long rides, period.  This is crunch time when things can start to unravel rather quickly; you must have sugar in your bloodstream to make wise and safe decisions.
7. Be willing and prepared to change course or direction to steer yourself out of challenging or dangerous conditions that await you on the official course.
8. When communicating with people in an emergency situation, state the conflict as well as offering and a "fix".  Then wait for the other person/people to accept or comment on the proposed fix before taking action.

I believe that everyone handled themselves in a proper and safe way this past Saturday.  There were many learning opportunities and chances for us all to test our determination, endurance and shivering ability.  I am proud of the fact that team veterans aided each other and Epic virgins alike.  Taking care of each other is the only thing we can rely on out there in some of the remote reaches of the course.

Thanks to Sig for driving the SAG around the course and aiding riders where possible.  Sig wishes he could always be in the right place at the right time for everyone on the ride.  Even though he knows it is impossible, he still has it as a goal on every team ride, and it bothers him if he is not in a position to help.

Lastly, Mark O'Sullivan is missing a Large Team Sheeper Vest.  If you happen to come across one when your dirty laundry is finished, please return it to Mark. 

Here is the Epic 2009 List:
1. Matt Patout
2. Heather Patout (first ever team ride)
3. Tim Kuenster
4. Melissa Griffiths
5. Nick Millis
6. Sally Phillips
7. Joel Phillips
8. Elspeth Farmer
9. Mary Posey
10. Sue McGlennon
11. Susan Hinrichs
12. Brad Hinrichs
13. Mike Osmond
14. Dave Mandelkern
15. David Greenwood
16. Mimi Winsberg
17. Grace Park
18. Tina Lount-Pretre
19. Derrick Hansen
20. Martin Michael
21. Hani Juha
22. Stephanie Rowen
23. Chas Pavlovic
24. Cindy Welton
25. Lindi Marco
26. Lennard Hachman (ran the Ultimate Run at the completion of the Epic)
27. Pierre Pujol
28. Kevin Burns (EP ride-old school-no IC)
29. John Richardson (EP ride-old school-no IC)
30. Dario Benivides
31. Kelly Couch
32. Amy McGaughey
33. Bob Carlin
34. Keith Terada
35. Mark O'Sullivan
36. Altay Sendil
37. Tanja Sattler
38. Cara Barr
39. Mike Perkins
40. Steve LeSiur
41. John Vironis
42. Lorraine Sneed
43. Marianne Brems
44. Ian Hersey
45. Mike Molano
46. Jorge Pont
47. Edie Heideman

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