I just sent in my registration for the Endless Mountains 1240k. The ride starts in Quakertown, Pennsylvania and is put on by a very active and successful RBA. For a short time in 2000 I lived a few towns over from the ride start – I was working with a friend surveying, dismantling, moving, and repairing historic barns (we turned 2 of them into houses). The country that the ride traverses is beautiful. I have just about a year to build on my base and get my rando legs back under me – I hope to not only complete the ride – but enjoy the scenery and maybe stop and smell the flowers along the way. I’ll need to complete a full brevet series to qualify – and I’d like to add a fleche to the mix to hone night riding and sleep deprivation skills.
Something I’ve learned over the last few years is that it is important for me to have goals and targets. This year I stayed motivated by planning and riding a solo 300k through the ADKs. With the 1200k on the horizon I’ll be able to build on a series of small goals that lead to the big event. It should be an interesting year.
Wow, hard to wrap my brain around a 1240K. On the other hand, few people can wrap their brains around a 135 mile off road race across frozen Minnesota in February like I did this year.
I like goals too. Preparing for the AH135 was a lot of fun and kept me motivated to get out there everyday.
I was thinking of your Arrowhead story when I registered… I’ve done road centuries in the winter – not sure I’d be able to pull off a trail century in the snow!
Goals are something I’ve found I need. Life ends up getting in the way unless my wife and I have clear direction on where we are headed. After my 300k adventure this year I started to fizzle out. My fitness dropped and my desire to be on the bike fell away. With the 1240k I’m building a plan to regain my fitness and hopefully peak at the event.
I’m looking forward to riding it with you, Mike. Chunk it down into pieces, Mike. Think of it as 4 x 300. You’ve done a 300. You know what it’s all about. I’ll be there to help you through. We all will be there, helping each other through.
dr
David –
You’re heading east? Good to hear! I’ve worked up to a 600k and DNF 2 years ago @ the 221 mile mark. Knee issues on top of not eating / drinking enough.
Looking forward to the 1240. Should be ‘interesting’. Trying to knock down a cold / throat thing right now and then its on to cross training and building a big base this winter.
I need to get faster on the bike – my top end speeds have been dropping – so a goal will be to add plenty of hill / speedwork into the mix.
Hopefully I’ll be able to enjoy most of the ride… and only suffer to make it through.
-Mike