Many times throughout the day, riders asked me if I was doing okay. How was I holding up to the heat, the miles. Was I getting enough water. It was, after all, closing in on 100 degrees and the race snaked through the Coast Range for 123 miles and more than 6000 feet of elevation gain. It was hot, dusty and long.
But how was I holding up? I was in a car, with AC blasting and tunes on. I never even touched a bike that day. And despite that, I was dehydrated and exhausted by the end. But whatever I was feeling, it was nothing compared to those riders. Thanks for asking though. How kind. How gentlemanly.
The riders were absolutely amazing in their strength, riding skills, endurance and tire changing ability. Flat tire after flat tire, hill climb after hill climb, they persisted until they arrived in various states of exhaustion at the Chris King headquarters in Portland.
Heidi Swift’s account of the race on a tandem tells all. And knowing she’s back on the bike this week touring the Puget Sound says even more about just how badass these folks are.
Very soon there will be more pictures up on the Rapha site from all of us at pdxcross.com.
all content © Tim LaBarge 2010
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