Cycle North Carolina Spring Training Ride

The weather forecast for Thursday night was 70% rain, thunderstorms, possibly severe at times, winds ESE at 20-30mph. Not ideal conditions for camping. The rain was forecasted to begin at 3:00AM. This didn’t deter us from setting out and joining the other 800 or so campers setting up camp on Thursday afternoon in the city park on the banks of the Albemarle Sound in beautiful Edenton, North Carolina. The number will grow to 1200 riders by the weekend. We had our brand new Big Agnes Slide Mountain 3 person tent and our Alcove Shelter from REI, several coolers, 4 chairs, a folding table, bike repair stand and all the necessary cooking gear and food for 3 days and of course our bikes. Not an easy task to set up a tent that we have had no experience with in 25 mph winds when every time we let go of a piece it becomes airborne. The tent, footprint and rain fly all flapping in the breeze, 6 sections of unassembled tent poles, a dozen stakes on the ground and absolutely no idea where to start, tents don’t come with instructions. With the assistance and direction of several other campers and many varied opinions as to how to set this up, we managed in spite of the wind, to complete the camp in less than an hour.

As predicted the rain began around 3:00AM, severe at times; winds estimated 25-40mph. We had retired an old friend, the $39.99 Wal-Mart tent that served us well for the past 3 years and purchased the Big Agnes knowing that we would be living in it all of May and June while on our tour. Last year’s model Slide Mountain at 40% off cost 10 times that of our Wal-Mart tent; our expectations are high. Big Agnes claims these tents are tested in the most severe conditions, 12 inches of rain per hour and 100 mph winds, these claims convinced me to switch from the REI tent I had been studying to the Big Agnes.

Not much sleeping going on Thursday night when it’s blowing 25-40 and raining, severe as predicted. At 4:30AM we heard noise that sounded to me like an Air Force jet troop carrier landing next to us and reversing the thrust of their 6 jet engines to slow the aircraft to a stop. The tent was pushed down, I sat up to hold the spars to prevent the tent from coming down on us, rain now falling at rate 3 inches per hour, a troop carrier landing next to us, mysterious, what is happening, then 10 seconds later relative quiet for 10-15 seconds, then the sounds of another troop carrier aircraft landing. Another 10-15 seconds and quiet again with only light wind and rain. The only sounds now are the voices of people up out of their tents wandering about trying to figure out what just happened. I quickly put on my rain gear to go out and see what just happened, is anyone injured? Tents destroyed everywhere, perhaps as many as 20-30, metal framed shelters twisted and discarded in various locations, parts of tents, bikes, and camping equipment scattered about. A 12 inch pine tree snapped like a tooth pick fallen in the center of the camp ground, the trunk grazing a tent on the way down, another tent under the branches. Hundreds of campers out in their PJs, the fire department arrives, EMTs, police and folks from the city of Edenton. The good Lord was with us, a true miracle, not one person hurt or even injured. A lady from Chapel Hill was under the branches of the fallen pine tree, in shock in her tent, she was rescued by another camper that cut her tent to get her out, a true miracle. Not a troop carrier landing, a downburst, winds near 80mph, everyone is safe. Big Agnes has stood the test, no water inside and no damage.

Out of our tent early on Friday with very little sleep, we came to ride. “Let’s do the 52 mile ride,” (actually 58 miles) suggests Christine. It’s 55 degrees, dark and cloudy with winds steady at 15-20 mph, Christine mixed the Hammer Nutrition into the water bottles and gathered the needed supplements, I cleaned and lubed the chains, pumped up the tires and we set out, we came here to train. The route was flat and wide open with steady winds, seemed like in our face most of the time and the skies are getting darker as time goes on. The weather is predicted to be clearing by early afternoon with highs about 64; we dressed accordingly, long sleeve wool jerseys and wind breaker vests, wrong choice. 30 miles into the ride; light to heavy rain, 30-35 mph winds, open and flat terrain, nothing to block the wind, not what we expected. Rest stop soon, maybe 5-6 miles, we are hoping for shelter there. We arrive to find a group of riders in the same condition as us, cold, wet and tired; they are waiting for the SAG wagon to take them back to camp. Christine is wet and very cold, freezing. John, a volunteer, notices Christine shivering standing in the lee of the fire station at the rest stop and loaned her his jacket, wonderful people these CNC folks. Within 20 minutes the clouds begin to open up, the wind has laid down to maybe 10-15, on the nose of course, let’s finish the ride only 20 mile to go, Christine is now in a bright yellow men’s large jacket and is beginning to warm up, we’re off. We finish to bright skies and warm sun about 60 degrees. Great experience and training for the conditions that may confront us on our tour. Later, on several occasions Christine tried to return the jacket to John, he said, “keep it, it’s cold”, then on the final day John insisted she keep it in memory of the spring ride. If you see a women riding north along the east coast on a fully loaded touring bike wearing a bright yellow men’s large jacket it just may be Christine, she’s grown quite fond of it.

As predicted we woke to clear skies, warm sun, about 55 degrees with light winds on Saturday, “let’s do the 80 mile ride.” We are looking for a group to ride with, we ride slow, maybe 14-16 mph knowing soon a group we pass and perhaps we may join them, participate in a little socialization and enjoy the benefits of drafting. “On your left”, music to our ears, the group, 12 riders in perfect form, two abreast, look to be going 18-20 pace, we’re on. “May we join you?” Riders training for an Ironman in the fall, steady pace with their trainer keeping control holding the pace below 22, they are riding the next 50 miles without a rest stop. Each pair pulls about five minutes, then drops back for the next 30 minutes, easy riding. Fortunately we had enough fuel and water to go the distance, great fun. It turns out that we met two of the riders at the last Spring CNC, Melissa and Alan from Raleigh with their friends, 4 women 6 men between 30-40 years old. Steady, not fast, most are tri-athletes, not cyclists; we are training for a tour so the slower pace was fine with us. 80 miles average 17.7 mph.

We are invited to join this same group on Sunday, 70 miles, first rest stop at 50 miles, we accept. We will need to carry three water bottles with nutrition to go the first 50 miles before the rest stop. We get two more water bottles and mix enough fuel (Hammer Nutrition) to last the 50 miles. Melissa volunteers to carry Christine’s third bottle and I put mine in my jersey, we only have two water bottle cages on our bikes. We had all the ingredients for an exceptional ride; perfect weather, warm with light wind, disciplined group, slower pace and enjoyable conversation. 17.5 average speed, 135 bpm average heart rate; perfect.

Excellent training for us, 210 miles in three rides; our average heart rates looked good, the Hammer Nutrition products are providing the needed fuel and we felt fine at the end of each day. Christine has about 600 and I have over 1000 miles this spring, we are just starting to get comfortable on our bikes again. We will be riding an average of 55 miles per day on our tour for 50 days, we can do it.

Ragan and staff are to be commended on the fabulous job they do putting on the Cycle North Carolina Spring Ride and a big thank you should go out to the people of Edenton who welcomed us with open arms and allowed us to take over their town. Thanks Ragan, the CNC staff and the people of Edenton, North Carolina for a weekend we will not soon forget.