Newsletter -- June 28, 2001
Hi everyone --
Here's yet another bit of spam, just to thank you and let you know I'm still out here and riding hard. Once again, if you don't want to receive these occasional updates, just let me know. I won't be offended.
A new century!
So, my biggest piece of riding news is that I just rode my first century! That's 100 miles. Whew. It was down in Watsonville, Calif., which is artichoke country, and was a mix of flat agricultural land, rural rolling hills and a little bit of the southern Santa Cruz mountains. It wasn't the most fabulously organized ride I've ever done -- by which I mean there wasn't quite enough food; we all know how much I hate being hungry -- but it was fun, and the entry fee went to a good cause, and the most important thing is: I did it! I feel much more confident now -- especially because, as it turns out, that may turn out to have been longer than any of the days on the Montana ride. More on that later.
By the way, speaking of food, have I mentioned how my favorite part of long-distance rides is the way they feed you? Big dinners, big lunches, big snacks. Nothing like this happens at running events. If you're really lucky they'll sell you a beer at the end to wash down your banana. I may be done with 10Ks for good.
Mission accomplished
Let's talk money for a minute: It looks as though I've not only topped my minimum fund-raising requirement -- which was $3,400 -- but also reached what I thought of as my stretch goal, of $5,000. I guess what that tells me is that I should set my goals higher -- or simply that I have a pretty fantastic, supportive, committed community of friends and family. So thank you all so much. I've gotten support from all over the country (plus one in Paris); from corporate grants (thanks OTR and Anchor Brewing!); from old friends and new friends and virtual strangers; from grad students, executives and everything in between. You all amaze me with your generosity and your encouragement. Thank you.
Day by day
For those of you that have been asking about the route: Someone on an e-mail list I'm on posted a tentative day-by-day plan. It doesn't seem as scary as I'd thought. They're still finalizing the details, but this is apparently the current plan:
Day 1: To Lincoln (4,500') Distance: Approximately 80 miles
Day 2: To Helena (4,157') Distance: Approximately 56 miles
Day 3: To Cardwell (4,081') Distance: Approximately 80 miles
Day 4: To Ennis (4,081') Distance: Approximately 94 miles
Day 5: To Livingston (2,695') Distance: Approximately 90 miles
Day 6: To Columbus (3,200') Distance: Approximately 80 miles
Day 7: To Billings (3,117') Distance: Approximately 55 miles
My ride guide adds: "We will cross the Continental Divide within the first 20 miles of Day 2 with a 7-8 mile climb of about 1,800 feet. It's a challenging climb! We will also climb two additional mountain passes on Day 5, but they will be about 1 mile long (much shorter than on Day 2). The remainder of the Ride will be filled rolling hill-type terrain."
Now, my friend Sionainn and I just did a loop around Lake Tahoe a couple of weeks ago that was 72 miles, at altitude, that I think had 2,000 to 3,000 feet of climbing. So Day 2 -- the Continental Divide day -- should be a piece of cake. Right?
Ahem. Right?
Anyway ... I probably won't be sending out anything until after the ride, which is coming up awfully soon. I check in July 29 in Missoula, start riding the next morning, and finish up Aug. 5. I'll keep you posted. And once again, thanks so much.
xoxo,
Rachel