Today was Stage #1 of my week-long retracing of the road stages from the 2013 Amgen Tour of California. For the whole story (so far), click onhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1GlooQ7b-5G089RYe2-Fw_U8zHnYR7rkXaWhyusyyY-Q/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GlooQ7b-5G089RYe2-Fw_U8zHnYR7rkXaWhyusyyY-Q/edit?usp=sharing).
Absolutely awesome Bill -- and well done Anthony.
"Not sure if I can handle another day like this - 184 maximum HR, 159 average HR, 17.2 avg moving speed."
Monster day and Monster stats. However, I'm concerned about the unwritten stat you were obviously too ashamed to write -- 0 pies. I believe increasing this stat will fill you with the confidence you need. You can do it you are strong.
Good luck I will be at work this week thinking of your suffering. :)
I "tried" to help these men with setting a "reasonable" pace for Stage 1 so they could make the entire week.....but I failed at both hanging on any wheel or for "them" to take it easy while I was huffing and puffing away......way off the back.
Bill is quite nice, yet inaccurate, in describing the breakup on the climbs as "slowly fragmenting." The was nothing slow about it, I dropped off the back virtually before we approached every climb. I wear the Laterne Rouge proudly for each climb and the entire day quite proudly. Good luck gentlemen with the rest of the week, I'm barely making it up the single flight of stairs at work!!
It was beautiful day and quite impressive watching the power and speed that the 3 of them rode with all day! I held their wheel well on the downhills!! ;)
Keep it up Bill. That is some strong fast riding.
Some Monster days there.
Thanks guys. Just finished adding stages #2 - #4. More photos are on Strava - gotta figure out how to get them from my brother-in-law's account to mine. Someday when I'm less exhausted!
If all's well that ends well, what's up with me hitting the ground on the finishing straight in Santa Rosa? Geez. Read the whole sorry story here, missing shoe and self-inflicted crash included, if you're so inclined: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GlooQ7b-5G089RYe2-Fw_U8zHnYR7rkXaWhyusyyY-Q/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GlooQ7b-5G089RYe2-Fw_U8zHnYR7rkXaWhyusyyY-Q/edit?usp=sharing). Makes going back to work this morning seem like a real downer!
Sounds like a great week Bill, congrats!! Glad there was only a little road rash with the rest of the ride clean and well oiled. Looks like Jeff Baxter couldn't make it for the Mt Diablo stage, bummer!!
See you soon!
Anthony
We're all amazed at your ride, Bill, and more than a little bit envious. Skipped chain with 100m to go...wow! I'd like to turn your account into a Feature Article on the website so that others who may have missed the account here can enjoy and - it will be there for posterity. ~karl