Surviving the Breakdown

The Brown County Breakdown almost got me! It was perfect weather, low 50's, when we took off from the North entrance of BCSP. I took off with the second group of riders toward the highest point of the trail at Hesitation point where I took in the sights of the rolling forested landscape and downed a cliff bar and water. Then we crossed the road to some brand new, never ridden trails. I was pleasantly suprised by their flow (ability to ride with momentum for you non mt. bikers). That trail took us to the roads in the campground area which connected us with the fire roads down to the first sag stop. After eating some bananas and filling up my camelback I joined a new group of riders toward Nebo Ridge in the Hoosier National Forest. We got to the trail head from a mile or so of gravel roads and began our 2 mile climb. By this time my legs were yelling at me. I was about to yell back at them when I got to the last two miles of the trail which are fast and rolling. At that point I pushed 20+ mph to the end where we took another break with a total of 31 miles under our belts. Now we would have to decide to go for the 75/100mi route or the 60mi. My legs began to yell at me, warning that they may let me down if we head for the longer route. So I gave in remembering last year's pain and agony of walking up hills unable to pedal. A jeep trail led back in to Nebo Ridge and then back to the first SAG stop where this time they were serving Pizza King and had a blue grass band playing! I had three pieces, two gels and some liquids to help get me back through BCSP. I wasn't looking forward to this last part. I'd already been walking up some hill on my way into Nebo Ridge. I remembered the long pleasant descent down to the SAG stop where I was sitting and that meant I had to climb all the way back up. I had 18 miles to go and figured if I put it off too long I might not ever get my legs moving again. So of course, in pain and agony with some joy, I walked and biked up the long rocky fire roads and determined when I got to the paved roads of the park I'd take them as a shortcut back to the car but when I reached the familiar landscape of the mt bike trails some new inspiration hit me and I decided to hop back on the trail and tough it out. In the process I ran out of water and decided to go ahead and cut the ride a bit short of the sixty. The day ended at 53 miles. I burned 4312 calories but got to enjoy a cold malted beverage, pulled pork, potatoes, pasta and rolls with apple butter in an attempt to replenish them. It was a good painful day. I think I learned something about suffering in the process. In Mt. Biking its a given that there will be times of suffering. It's intrinsic to the sport. The question is will you suffer well? You suffer well by operating a few disciplines. Those are: pacing yourself, keeping your eyes ahead at the goal (top of the hill) and keeping well nourished. I find many parallels here to life, don't you?