RFC Update
Today was a long, but great day. I just finished my second ride of my second shift in 24 hours. I covered 87 miles today, which is the most I’ve ever covered in one day period.
My first ride of the day came in the early morning and started off with about a half mile warmup which led the base of a giant hill. Nothing like starting your trip off with a 1,200ft climb over 3 miles. I remember wishing I still had gears left to downshift to but I didn’t and was forced to power through to the top. I was ready to be dropped off at the airport and sent home.
I’m glad I hung in there because the rest of the 18 mile leg I did that morning was mostly down hill and had me hitting speeds of 40mph. It’s amazing what a fast downhill ride can do for your spirit.
Over the next few hours we each got 2 rides in and enjoyed the sun coming up over the rocky central Oregon landscape and still being captivated by this adventure.
After a much needed 8 hour rest, we hit the road again as the sun was setting for our next 8 hour shift. We were now well into Idaho and riding through a really old lava like field of jagged rock. My first ride was probably my most favorite ride of the year. There was something about riding in the pitch black, star filled night with the cool air blowing and nothing other than some music on the iPhone and the lights of the chase vehicle. I pushed pretty hard over 19 miles and averaged almost 21mph.
My last ride was supposed to only be 20 miles but due to the rider van making a wrong turn in a town and the main transition only being about 10 more miles, it made sense for me to stay on the bike rather than wait for the riders to show up and then only have them ride 5 or 6 miles. I felt really great over the first 20 miles and the last 10 miles which turned into 13 miles was not so great. The wind pushed hard in my face and I was getting pretty tired at this point. My average speed dropped 2mph over that remaining 13 miles.
Ride Stats:
Ride 1 - 17.9mi @ 19mph - top speed 39.8mph
Ride 2 - 17.8mi @ 21mph - TS 28mph
Ride 3 - 18.8mi @ 19.8mph - TS 32mph
Ride 4 - 32.8mu @ 18.5mph - TS 30.7mph
The thoughts, conquests, and life happenings of Andrew, Michelle and Avery Hoffman. All Aboard The H-Train is our way to keep our friends and families connected and up to date the best we can. 