On the way, a familiar sight ... this guy collects tractors, and decided to really show this one off!

I had trained relatively hard, and tested out an invention to keep a cool head in the hot, humid weather for which this race has a  reputation.  After all, this is Illinois in August, right?  I had noticed that tri-athletes use a cap with a cape like attachment in the back.  I have enjoyed “ice-towels” in the past, so thought I could combine the two concepts.  I came up with what we have dubbed the “cool-head.”  It’s not trademarked so feel free.  It’s made of terry cloth cut from 4 inexpensive WalMart wash clothes.  It fits on the head like a cap, with the cape hanging on the neck and shoulders.  On the inside is a pocket filled with ice.  Get the picture?  The ice melts, and keeps the cape cold and wet.  As the water evaporates, it further cools.  In practice, the ice lasted about ½ hour, and it stayed wet for another ½ hour.  We kept one ahead, dripping wet, in a chest full of ice water.  Quite a rush when first donned, but then very refreshing!

The cool head

As usual, the first 100-150 miles went quite well, then the afternoon doldrums.  At the ½ point in the 4^th loop, I had run out of gas again.  I called it a day after 175 miles, absolutely exhausted.  After thinking about this now well-established pattern for some time, I came to the conclusion that the problem of running out of fuel may well be due to glucose intolerance, coupled with a decreasing ability to absorb nutrients from the gut. 

In the ensuing 2 weeks, I have sought some advice from the endurance biking community, and it is uniformly advised to pay more attention to diet between races, and begin eliminating refined sugars from my diet, both on and off the bike.  I’ve been trying a couple of different energy drinks which emphasize carbs in the starchy form rather than the sugar form.  I’ve been testing my blood sugar levels.  I have noticed right away that I feel better without the spikes of blood sugar from the Dairy Queens, chocolate bars, Gatorade, and the like.  It is a bit harder on a hard training ride.  I really must have carbs, so am using more starchy sugars and less refined.  The blood sugars are all over the map right now, anywhere from the low 70’s to 180.  More to report later.

The Metamora corn maze ... a familiar sight all day long.

We had a great race, with renewed friendships, and a firm determination to try to solve this fueling problem.  I plan one very long training ride next week with hourly blood sugars on my new fueling regimen, with some “mid-stream adjustments.”  Until then, thanks again for your support and prayers.  And thanks, Babes, for not only tolerating, but helping me with my nutty ideas and “inventions”.  I couldn’t and wouldn’t do it without you.  God continues to get the glory for my accomplishments.  (By the way, He gets the glory whether or not I acknowledge it!!)

The Saratoga 12 hour is held in upstate New York, where part of the race course runs along the Hudson River.  It’s a 32.5 mile course, with 2 climbs out of the river valley, and 2 descents back.  It starts in the little town of Schuylerville.  If memory serves me right, Alexander Hamilton married a Schuyler.

John Ceceri puts on a nice race.  It starts with a pre-race pasta dinner in his home.  These folks know pasta!  Registration and the “reading of the rules” takes place after dinner.  We stayed in Albany, but the race didn’t start until 8am, so had plenty of time to arrive and get the two bikes set up.

I had been seeing very encouraging numbers on my training rides recently, so was ready for a 200 mile plus effort.  With the exception of those two hills, the course is quite flat.  This suited me and the Cervello P2 just fine.  I was in the aero bars most of the day, and, I might add, that I never had to make the switch to the trusty, more comfortable Waterford.

The first 32.5 mile lap was finished in 1 hour 36 minutes for an average of 20.3mph.  I was encouraged and pleasantly surprised.  I felt great, and was not pushing particularly hard.  The next lap was 1 hour 38 minutes, then 1:44, then 2:05.  I was cruising on my way to a personal best.  Then the fateful 5th lap.  I was subsisting on gatorade, Hammergel, and PepsiCola.  At the halfway point, a milkshake sounded and tasted great, but apparently didn’t have the endurance of the Pepsi.  At about mile 25, I bonked.  Fortunately, only about 2 miles were uphill, and the rest down into Schuylerville was one screaming descent, then flat.  I told Linda that this was it, I was never racing again!  If any of you have ever bonked, you’ll agree, it is the worst feeling in the world.  Your body simply runs out of ATP, the “gasoline” for our engines.

After some ice cold Pepsi and a plan to stop more frequently, however, I got back on the bike and finished one more lap for a total of 195 miles.  The fifth lap was the killer, however, at 2:44.  The sixth was back to a more respectable 2:06.  All in all, quite pleased with the performance.

In lap 3 in this non-drafting race (this means no pace lines or groups taking advantage of the lead rider’s breaking into the wind), I heard this voice, “Nice little pace, Wendell.”  I turned to see my friend Martin Hukle.  I was shocked that I had been leading him for 1/2 the race.  We rode as close together as was permissible until lap 5.  He, obviously, kept going and ended up with 218 miles.  I hope to work with him and perhaps one or two others at Metamora, the next race, which is a drafting race.

For me, this race was quite high maintenence, meaning that Linda was kept busy shuttling between the start and the midway checkpoint, and keeping me supplied with ice towels and cold Pepsi.  She squeezed in a quick quilt shop visit, but had to sacrifice another one.  Without you, Babes, I can’t do this!

This one's for Abby! We both LOVE orange cream!

High Hopes at the Start

In short, I made it this year!  It was one of the toughest races that I recall.  It is a tough course with over 10,000 of climbing.  This year the weather was a definite factor, with temperatures well into the 90’s for the afternoon.

It was my second race on the Cervello P2, and my 63 year old bones are still not quite accustomed to the tighter, stiffer geometry.  By the ¾ point in the race, there were enough aches and pains to convert over to the trusty Waterford, which feels like a lawn chair in comparison.  The Cervello is 4-5 pounds lighter, and stiffer, and I’m more aerodynamically positioned, so it’s definitely faster, but the kinder, gentler Waterford was just what I needed to finish.

The new, sleek, fast Cervello

The race started at 5:30 to a cloudless early-morning sky, and there was nary a cloud for the next 14 hours.  I decided to hang with the leaders for as long as I could, and was feeling quite good about it until after about 10 miles, I glanced down at my heart rate monitor, and it was over 160.  This was not a sustainable condition, so I had to drop back.  I found another rider, Steve Godfrey, and we hung together for the rest of the race. 

The race is an out and back course from DeWitt, Iowa to Balltown, Iowa, a lovely town on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River.  After the 50 mile checkpoint, the route splits, with an easier route out to Balltown, and the part with the best climbing back.  Just before arriving, I caught up with Bill Kulwicki, a good friend, and he joined Steve and I for the remainder of the race.  After a brief (5 minutes) at Balltown, it was back on the bike for the return.  A fourth member of our little group also joined us on and off.  Larrry Ide, a UMCA champion from 2008 was not doing well for him, but it turns out he was cycling on one leg, having sustained a knee injury recently.  (It’s pretty sad when someone can still beat us regular guys with one leg!)

The very spot of last years GI rebellion

Not This Year!

After the turn around in Balltown was where the weather turned really hot, and for 25 miles, the climbing was the best.  As last year, I determined to ride up all the hills without walking (something I did not accomplish my first year, but did last year only to drop out)  The lighter, tighter Cervello, better health and training, and God-given strength enabled me to accomplish those goals.  Linda was now joined by Deb Kulwicki, and the two of them sagged for the remaining of the race.  The item in highest demand, as you might expect, was ice.  Ice for the camel back, ice for the drink bottles, ice to just chew on or drink in a glass of ice water, and ice to pour over your head.  I especially enjoy the “ice towel”, a towel soaked in ice water, and dripping wet, draped over your head.  Truly the pause that refreshes.

At the 150 mile check point, it was decision time.  The main opponent was now the heat and dehydration.  It is next to impossible to force your GI tract to maintain hydration while biking in heat.  I decided to try what several other endurance bikers use … Coca Cola.  It works!  Calories, fluid, and caffeine serve to give a real boost.  Linda, Deb and us four decided on 12 mile sag stops from then on.  I was rejuvenated by the ice towel, and climbed onto the more comfortable Waterford, and headed for the finish.  Needless to say, the most important commodity for the rest of the stops was ice. 

Finish on the More Comfortable Waterford

Steve Bill Wendell

After the final rest, it was an easy ride back into DeWitt on a glass-smooth asphalt toad, and I finished in 14 hours, 10 minutes.  I’ve spent the next day trying to re-hydrate with over a gallon of my favorite recovery drink, lemonade.  Thanks to the LORD for once again a safe race, and heart-felt gratitude to Linda for once again providing the support of which only she is capable.

Rarin' to Hit the Asphalt

After some time with Carrie, who was visiting South Carolina from Alaska, we completed the trip in time for about a week of riding on the asphalt.  This would be the first time the Cervello would touch pavement.  It proved to perform as advertised:  fast and responsive, albeit a bit “twitchy” on turns.  There were no major orthopedic issues from the more crouched, aerodynamic positioning, except for a sore, tired neck after a 3 hour ride.  I was most happy that I had the Waterford for a back up.

After setting up the RV at Lake Josephine in Sebring, I eagerly set out for the International Speedway, the venue for the race.  I saw another biker checking out the newly installed RV facilities at the track, and discovered to my delight that it was Bernd Kral, a fellow UMCA racer from Maryland, who won the UMCA Ultracup in our age category in 2009.  I had come in fourth, despite several sub-par performances.  Needless to say, we spent the week before the race riding together.   The nice, warm, sunny Florida weather never materialized.  There was some sun, but it remained breezy and the temperature only rarely topped 60. 

The day of the race dawned cloudy and windy with a temperature of 42.  I donned my lobster mittens for the first three 3.7 mile loops around the race track, then switched to regular biking gloves.  The sun did come out in the afternoon, but the wind never abated, and the temperature hit 50, but not much more.  I kept my jacket, long sleeved jersey, and long leg warmers on the entire race.  The last hour, I switched to my wind-proof jacket, and back to the lobster mittens.

After the first three laps on the track, we headed out into the Florida countryside for a 90 mile loop, up to the north side of Lake Reedy and back.  The wind was out of the northwest, so fortunately, the toughest part of the race was the first.  I found a group about my speed and hung with them for the whole loop.  We took turns pulling, so shared the work load, and managed to finish this first 102 miles in 5 hours, 28 minutes.  In the group were two “kids” with baggy pants, with ipods who looked for all the world like local teenagers out on a lark.  The girl was singing along with her music, so provided great entertainment.  As I got to know them, it turned out that they were a couple from England, who decided to do a race to celebrate the end of their 9-month bicycle trip around the world!  What an honor to ride with them, on and off, most of the day.  Also in our peloton was 77 year old Lew Meyer from Berwyn, PA, an endurance racing legend who last year completed the Race Across America as part of a four man team, all in their 70’s.

After returning to the RV at trackside, I started the first of seven 11.7 mile afternoon loops.  The Cervello continued to cut through the wind, making good time, but the 63 year old neck was showing the strain of the extreme crouch, and after the first loop, I switched to the Waterford. 

Back on the Trusty Waterford

 What a relief:  it felt like an easy chair in comparison.  I spent much of the afternoon alone or drafting with Lew Meyer, and with one hour left, the race shifted once again to the race track, where I hunkered down and completed four more 3.7 mile laps.  The resulting 196.7 miles was good for third place in my age group.  I was most pleased with the results.  A real bonus was friendships made and renewed. 

Around the World in 9 months!

A word about nutrition is in order.  Last year, this was a major contributing factor to my dropping out of several races.  I decided that this year, I would go with what tasted good, and went down easily.   I discarded the scientifically correct but unpalatable endurance energy drinks in favor of old standby stuff.  Gatorade.  Hostess Twinkies.  Granola bars.  Tapioca pudding.  Chocolate pudding.  Yogurt.  Water.  It worked.

One more word.  I continue to be personally committed to God’s work in Bangladesh.  It would be a tremendous encouragement and motivation to me once again this year to have folks sponsor me.  Even if it’s a token amount, like 5 cents a point, it would mean a lot.  So just click and commit!

Much work needs to be done.  Something we take for granted at home, and an absolute essential to our technologically advanced society is reliable electricity.  Think about it for a minute, how much of what we do at home, at work, at church, or at play or getting between these activities either directly or indirectly depends upon this commodity.  At the Memorial Christian Hospital, the electricity from the utility has widely variable voltages and is off completely for varying periods of time.  Something as essential as proper grounding is difficult to obtain.  This situation has far-reaching effects as the staff struggles to maintain modern hospital services, when even basic telephone communication, let alone sensitive surgical and labratory instruments are ravaged by voltage spikes and outages.  This situation even affects the backup generators, necessitating manual switching over to this expensive alternative during outages.

I have decided to dedicate the 2010 racing season to an upgrade of the electrical grid at the Memorial Christian Hospital.  You will notice that the bar graph is set to zero once again, and now that you know about how many points I can achieve, please make a generous pledge for 2010.  I hesitate to presume upon your sensitivity for this worthy ministry, but most folks would at least like to be given the opportunity to give again.

For you that are interested in the biking news, I have ordered a new, 2010 Cervello P2 Time Trial Bicycle.  It is a carbon fiber bike, weighing about 4-5 pounds less than my trusty Waterford.  I haven’t abandoned Old Faithful.  After all, it has likely carried me over 25,000 miles since I started in 2006.  It is currently in Waterford, WI, for a checkup, re-alignment, and brand new paint job.  It will serve as backup bike next year.

With some gentle help from Linda, I have reached a decision about racing next year.  The limit will be 200 miles, or thereabouts, so I’ll be doing 12 hour or 200 mile races, but nothing longer.  I hope to have a schedule up soon with point goals, but anticipate the core races of Sebring, Calvin’s Challenge, Balltown, a state crossing record or two, Ultra Midwest, and the Texas Time Trials.  I’m also considering the Heart of the South, the Saratoga 12hr, Fireweed 200 (Alaska), Metamora 4×50 (Iowa), Nightmare 200 (Pennsylvania), and the Adirondack 270.  A special treat this year may be the Lewis and Clark 200 in late May.  It is held along the Columbia River in Washington.  Who know just how many Hyinks will show up?  (Joe is in Kirkland, Steve is in Lacey)  Just dreaming for now!

Well, once again, thanks to each one of you who supported MCH in Bangladesh in 2009.  Here’s for Racing for Bangladesh,

Wendell

A Definite High Point from 2009

The Texas Time Trials were to be a 24 hour effort, and I had intensified my training in the 3 weeks prior to the race.  I had even accomplished centuries on two separate occasions, without ever stopping the bike.  That was a first!  We traveled to Texas in two days, and arrived at the race site about 4 hours before start time, ideal for me.  After fiddling with the bike, mixing nutrition bottles, setting up the Racing for Bangladesh banner, and renewing acquaintance with racing friends, the 6pm race time arrived.

Clipping in for the start ... Martin Hukle is in the orange helmet on my left

The course this year is more difficult than the one used for the past several years, 26.5 miles, with more climbing (about 50 ft/mile) to boot.  The evening was clear, cool, and the race route proved quite do-able with good road surfaces, and race volunteers at every turn to scout for traffic.  I would add that Dan Driscol and his staff put on one of the best organized and fun races anyone could hope for.  Many volunteers stood duty throughout the night at intersections trying to make the way for safe turns.  During the final day, many volunteers donned brightly colored wigs and pompoms and noise-makers to urge us on to greater achievement.  It was hard to be grumpy!!

I rode steadily throughout the night, watching the beautiful Texas countryside fade under a gibbous moon as it set around 1am.  Orion guided us throughout the night, not to mention the tail light of a rider ahead, with usually one or two visible.  Night riding is really great if it’s not too cold.  The temps got to the low 50’s, but were quite manageable with my Wooly Boolies (socks), jackets, gloves and do-rags with ear flaps.  After my 5^th lap, I took about a 1 hour nap, changed into dry clothes, ate a real breakfast of corn flakes, cantaloupe, and V8, and biked into the sunrise, maintaining close to.  The tougher race course began to take its toll, however, and after 3 more laps, and 212 miles, I packed it in.  The laps had become increasingly slower with my caloric intake unable to keep up with even minimal requirements, and the temperature steadily rising toward a predicted high in the mid-90’s.  It was a good decision.  My good friend, Martin Hukle, had to be driven off the course less than an hour later with impending heat stroke.  Believe me, if Martin can’t finish the 24, I have no business even thinking about it!

The season is over, and the LORD receives the glory for giving me the ability and determination to accumulate the points I did for the Memorial Christian Hospital.  I will follow soon with the year in review, and a final point total.  Each of the sponsors will hear from me regarding your commitment, if any is left.  S.D.G.

Wendell

UMCA Rider’s Narrative Summary of South to North Pennsylvania State Crossing

Start date: August 15, 2009 at 0530

End date: August 15, 2009 at 1919

Elapsed time: 13 hours, 49 minutes

Mileage: 190

Start location: Pennsylvania Maryland state line on MD rt 546/Greenville Rd in PA near                         Cumberland MD

End location: Pennsylvania New York state line on US 62 north of Warren PA

Rider: Wendell J Hyink, UMCA member #4300

Official: Joy Bryson

Crew Chief: Linda Hyink

This record attempt was contemplated during the winter months with dreams of an age-category UMCA Ultra Cup championship still dancing in my head.  I have always considered the Pennsylvania hills and river valleys some of the most beautiful, but to the biker, most challenging one could ask for.  I carefully plotted out the course using the DeLorme mapping software.  I explored the profiles and distances of various routes, and because this was an initial record attempt, took my time finding the shortest route.  After much trial and error, a route was found which mapped “only” 16,000 ft of climbing over 190 miles. [note:  as is usually the case, DeLorme greatly overestimates ascent feet.  The number from my Polar bicycle computer was 11,138 ft.]   It is located a bit east of Pittsburg, going through the hometown of the famous ground hog who looks for his shadow in Punxsutawney, PA. 

The start in the dark to the sound of barking dogs!

We drove to a nearby motel the night before the attempt, and set the alarm for 4:20am.  After fueling the follow vehicle and the rider, we drove to the Maryland/Pennsylvania state line, and after completing vehicle prep, took the obligatory pictures.  The record attempt started at 5:30am, just as the eastern sky was beginning hint that sunrise was on the way.

It doesn't get better than this

The first 15 miles or so involved getting the legs moving and warming up, but the weather was clear and promising, with several patches of morning fog to deal with, some quite dense.  By the time I reached Berlin, PA, the sun had fully risen, and the chill was beginning to leave the air.  The weather report was for hot and humid conditions, so I enjoyed the cool morning air while I could.  This stretch gave me an up close and personal look of one of the energy sources of the future, as numerous giant wind generators in various stages of construction and operation dotted the route.  Even in the slightest breeze, the rotors of some were turning lazily.

The next stretch was quite hilly, but manageable.  The legs were still fresh, and I maintained a good average throughout the morning.  The first 80 miles were handled with only one stop, but ended abruptly after a steep descent into the town of Clymer, where the familiar loud report of a tube bursting under 120psi received our immediate attention.  After racing for almost 2 years now, I have always brought a spare set of wheels along, and had as yet to use them.  Now was the time!  The road to Punxsutawney was smooth, but increasingly hilly: the pattern of grinding ascent followed by exhilarating descent was repeated several times.  The noonday sun was bringing on the predicted heat, and the next stop was at my favorite fueling establishment, Dairy Queen.  After refueling, and cooling down with some iced towels, I was off again.

The Ice Towel ... Nothing like it.

The next 40 miles were the most difficult of the attempt.  It was hot and humid, and the hills grew steeper and seemingly more frequent.  In Brookdale, after yet another incline into town, I collapsed at a storefront and was iced down once again, with nutrition turning from Hammer Perpetuum with electrolytes added to ice cold Power Ade with granola bars.  I stared at a hill going through town which seemed to go straight up, and decided to prolong the rest a bit by walking the bike up the incline.  It was a good decision, and I left town once again refreshed.  The next stop was at the point in efforts like this where, for me, anyway, the battle is as much mental as physical.  Sprawled supine on the ground, receiving the iced towel treatment, 11 hours into the race, and not wanting to get back on the bike, I just got back on the bike and began pedaling.  The legs took over, and the rest was the easiest and best part of the effort.

The terrain gradually changed as the route coursed through the Allegheny National Forest, and the road began to follow rivers.  I glanced over repeatedly to bask in the fact that the river was going the same direction that I was!  O glory.  Even after a small hill into another river valley, with the river moving against me, I felt strong and invigorated riding only a slight uphill grade.  As I approached US 6 into Warren, a nasty stretch of road resulted in a pinch flat, and I was once again grateful for my backup wheel!

Yes, they passed me .... easily

With the crew shouting encouragement in the city of Warren, while stopped at a light, a  bee decided to vent his anger on the corner of my lip.  The crew was somewhat confused at the hand signals they received, but no real harm was done, just a temporary fat lip!  Turning north on smooth, wide-shouldered US 62 out of Warren, and the NY border 10 miles away, I put the hammer down, and pedaled hard up the two remaining hills of the record, and lifted my bike over my head in thankfulness once again to the LORD for a safe and successful ride.

A Strong Finish, for a change.

Linda and I had a great trip up, visiting two of our sons in Washington state on the way.  We took the Alaska Marine Highway ferry, and enjoyed spectacular scenery on our 4 day trip up the inside passage.  After traversing Canada from the ferry terminal in Haines, Alaska, and visiting some friends and relatives, we arrived at the race start on Saturday morning for the start of the solo 200 race, one of nine racing events for the weekend.  The route was simple.  From the start, go east to Glennallen, turn right and go south to the finish in Valdez, for a total of 193 miles. 

The mountains, the fireweed, the racer

The weather was perfect.  It required a jacket at the start and finish, but pleasantly warm for most of the day.  I stuck to traditional racing fuels such as PowerAde, 3 Muskateers, cookies, oranges, and the like, and of course, my ever present dried papaya.  This time no major GI issues arose, and  I was breezing along ahead of a blessed tail wind, when I lost control of my rear deralieur due to a frayed cable.  After about a 45 minute futile attempt to repair it at the next aid station, I continued on, and and finished, having completed the last 60 miles in with two gears.  Of that, the first 10 or so were gentle uphill, the next 10 were a climb to Thompson Pass, the next 10 were a screaming 10 mile descent in which I practically froze to death, (imagine Linda’s surprise when I arrived at the bottom mumbling how cold I was, and to turn on the car heater full blast!), and then a wonderful 20 mile flat into Valdez.  I really don’t want to ever do that kind of climbing again at 40 rpm, but really, it wasn’t as bad as anticipated.

A Welcome Sight in Valdez

All in all, it was a great race, completed in 13 hours, 7 minutes, 30 seconds.  The scenery was spectacular, especially around Valdez, which is aptly referred to as the “Switzerland of Alaska”.  Linda and I ate supper in Valdez at 10 pm, and collapsed into bed at 10:30, and the sun had yet to set.  Alaska is wonderful!

A sad post script to this story is that one of the 100 mile racers, Robert Johnson, Jr, of Anchorage, perished when he slid under a guard rail and struck his head on a supporting post.  It can be a dangerous sport, and yet another reminder that we are all one heart beat away from eternity and an appointment with our Creator.

Glad We Weren't in Tent City!

After some intense thunderstorms Friday night causing a bit of anxiety in the RV bringing back memories of Birmingham and the Heart of the South, we finally drifted off to sleep, and awoke to a beautiful clear sunrise on Saturday (June 20). 

At the Start

Makes for an Exciting Sendoff

After a mass (well over 300 participants!) start to a bagpipe sendoff, I managed to stick with a fairly fast group, taking advantage of the drafting it afforded and doing my shares of the pulls.  At the first checkpoint at 37 miles, I had averaged over 21 mph, and felt great.  I knew this couldn’t last, so I settled into a more relaxed pace the rest of the morning, finding other riders with whom to ride on and off.

After the morning loop of 122 miles was over, I took a brief rest and headed out on the afternoon loop of 25 miles.  After the first loop, however, it became (very!) apparent that the same old GI problem had resurfaced, and I contented myself with the 147 miles I had accumulated.  This resulted in another 10.62 points for the LORD’s work in Bangladesh.  S.D.G.

The next race is the Fireweed 200 in Alaska on July 11.  I scaled back from the 400 mile race I had originally entered, and hope to ride a nice easy pace, and simply enjoy the scenery, keep safe, and however many miles I’m able to complete, I will be happy that the LORD has enabled me to accomplish them.  When we return, I will be attempting to establish a record for crossing Pennsylvania from south to north, on August 15. 

There was a paperwork panic which deprived me of an hour or two of sleep on Thursday night. On Thursday morning, I discovered that I had forgotten to mail in the waivers. The attempt started on Friday evening, so the waivers had to be in Colorado by Thursday! Believe it or not, FedEx provides same day service from Niles to Colorado. After “misplacing” the package, it did arrive, and the Records Chairman of the UMCA graciously accepted it the next morning.

We traveled up to Cadillac, MI, where we picked up Jerry Clum at Mike Dolack’s house. Mike is a good friend who always has something up his sleeve. He did not disappoint! On our arrival, there was a reporter from the Cadillac Evening News for an interview and pictures. The next day, there was an article and picture.

The Crew is Assembled: Debbie Bill Linda Wendell Kevin Jerry

We arrived in Sault Ste Marie at about 4pm, and after a brief nap, proceeded to the Visitor Center for the Soo Locks, the official starting point for the attempt. The starting and ending points are established by the original record setter, in this case Jeff Stephens back in 1996. The weather was less than ideal, quite windy and some rain. Nonetheless, I started out at 5:54pm and headed south on Mackinaw trail for St. Ignace. The winds were mostly cross winds and it was cloudy, a bit rainy and cool, in the high 50’s. I rode strong and arrived at the Straights of Mackinaw averaging well over 18 miles per hour, a strong start. After the (mandatory) ride across Mighty Mack in the RV getting a few minutes rest.

After attaching the lights to the bike, and warm weather clothing to me, I headed south from Mackinaw City on US 31, around Petosky on back roads to the next stop. It was getting seriously cold, with temperatures in the low 40’s and even down to 37 at one point. I rode on to Kalkaska, still maintaining an easy pace of about 18mph. As I pulled into the McDonalds there, I really didn’t realize how cold I was. My system was gearing more toward keeping warm than pedaling, and more importantly, toward absorbing calories from the GI tract. I spent almost 2 hours warming back up, and after the gentle urging of my wonderful coach, once again set forth, this time for Lake City, the half way point.

I still was able to ride reasonably strong, but the strength was waning, and the stomach was in rebellion once again. After 171 miles of the 368, I decided that enough was enough. Not being far from Cadillac, Mike Dolack was called and had his whirlpool ready full of nice warm water. I was asleep in less than a minute.

It was another disappointment, but still, a very strong ride for me, and encouraging for the future. Looking back, it was hypothermia and its demands on my system which was the culprit this time. It was beyond my control. It took well over 24 hours more before my system saw anything close to recovery.

If you will notice, the race schedule and totals have been updated, both for Balltown and this record attempt, even though I did not finish. I prorated the difficulty points to reflect the miles ridden, and thus calculated my point totals, and sponsorship funds raised.

Many thanks go to the crew which was to the last man and woman, extremely supportive. My wife, Linda, likely suffered more than I did. I love you, Babes. Most of all I thank the LORD for keeping me safe and free from serious harm or injury.