Jalapeno Bike Ride

Yesterday was the Jalapeno 100 bike ride, with routes offered of 25/50/62 & 100 miles. I had planned on 50 but ran into 2 friends and decided to do 62 with them. 62 miles is a “Metric Century” or 100 kilometers. Everything started well – there was a cold front predicted but it was warm all day. As fate would have it, the wind really picked up later in the morning just as the route turned due south, straight into the wind. This wind was as strong as I have been in for about 10 miles, probably 30 mph and gusting 40+. We could only ride 6-7mph into it and it was a great struggle. At rest stop 8, we decided to quit and “SAG in” – ride the van in. Most all of the 62 and 100 miles conked out about then. We made it “only” 42 miles. Riding the van it was a good choice. Live to ride another day.

The wind was so strong that it would push you around – you had to brace yourself. Two people set out into the wind and came back about 20 minutes later. He said they were going faster back with the wind not pedaling than pedaling into the wind.

Dawn (on left) was able to finish – hats off! Then on the way home her bike fell off the rack on the freeway and was hit by the car behind it. Ouch!