On August 15, I established a bicycling record, riding from the Maryland/Pennsylvania to the New York/Pennsylvania state line in 13 hours, 49 minutes. I knew many were praying for me, for it was only the LORD Who gave me strength to get up and keep going in the middle of a hot, humid, and hilly ride. What follows is the report I filed with the UMCA.
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.
