New 200K P.R. (Personal Record)

Goshen Canyon with the first fall snow on Mt Nebo in the background.
Goshen Canyon with the first fall snow on Mt Nebo in the background (photo shot on a prior ride).

I’m finally catching up on some old news that I should have posted long ago….

When I first started cycling, one of longstanding goals (bucket list) was to ride a 200km (124.3 miles) brevet in under 8 hours. Most brevets I did were in small groups or solo, so drafting was not always possible. Finally, after about two years of riding, I managed to finish a few solo 200s in under eight hours. One season, I did two or three back to back 200s where my time as 8:03 or 8:04, but I usually did one or more under eight hours per season.

This past fall, about two weeks after finishing the 200-mile LoToJa race in under 12 hours (another item off the bucket list) I was riding “my monthly 200K.” I had no intention of setting any personal records, but just to finish in perhaps under eight hours. This is the link to this route, which has about 5,000 feet of climbing. As the day progressed, I noticed that the wind seemed to always be in my favor (or lack thereof) and that this ride was going rather quickly. I only stopped twice for hydration and some snacks at convenience stores. Towards the end of the day, after making the 45-minute climb up Salt Creek Canyon and as I was dropping into the town of Fountain Green, it appeared that maybe if I did keep pushing, I might get a sub 7-hour ride — something I had never done before…solo or with a group. So I mustered up all my remaining strength and for the last 40 minutes of the ride. I kept down in my aerobars and focused on keeping good form and not slowing much for nutrition and drinking. Nearly totally exhausted, I made the final slight climb up to my last turn at the light in Mount Pleasant — my timer showed I only had about 40 seconds left on the clock. I blew through the light (right turn, red light I think) and sprinted the four blocks to the Maverik c-store, which was my “finish” for this ride, punching my GPS as I passed by the store. I DID IT, leaving only six seconds to spare!

Since I rarely “race,” I find beating personal goals a means of improving my fitness. This is a prime example of such an event. I was totally spent, but took a 15 minute break before making the 400-foot climb back to my house.

The official brevet card or record of the ride.
The official brevet card or record of the ride.
Screen shot of my GPS download. This is slightly confusing because it also includes the 5 minute ride from my house to the start of the official 200K.
Screen shot of my GPS download. This is slightly confusing because it also includes the 5 minute ride from my house to the start of the official 200K.

 

 

 

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Author: Rando Richard

I’m an old guy (age 69 in 2023) who enjoys aerobic, endurance sports. I call myself a cardio-junkie. Perhaps the more appropriate term would be “ultra” endurance sports. Since I was a teenager I have always enjoyed “slow twitch” outdoor sports like backpacking, ice climbing, running, mountaineering, hiking, alpine skiing and randonnée skiing (alpine touring, backcountry skiing or skimo). In 2005 I starting running with more regularity — except this time it was not for the intent of getting ready for a mountaineering trip, but as an end to itself. From 2005 to 2007 I managed to eek out two seasons of ultramarathons — that is competitive trail runs up to 50 or 100 miles. Due to a nagging ankle injury from the 80s (an accident while ice climbing in the 1980s where my lower tib and fib were badly broken), I had to cease that grueling, but rewarding activity. I then migrated into ultra distance road cycling or randonneuring. The rides are called brevets (pronounced bruh-VAY, it’s French) and are minimally supported — they are similar to ultrarunning and backpacking where one must be self reliant. Although brevets are non-competitive, they do have have cut off times to qualify as a finisher. They are usually are done in groups, which can have a competitive slant to them. Today, I continue to participate in long distance cycling including some ultra-racing, randonnée skiing (a blend of cross country and downhill disciplines) and still get out on an occasional mountaineering trip. Since 1996 I have been designing, manufacturing and selling camera bags. That is Kinesis Photo Gear (kgear.com). In 2005 I started selling cycling bags under the Kinesis label and eventually expanded it to including other sports like SUP (stand-up paddle boarding and some skimo). Consequently, it become eoGEAR — the “eo” stands for endurance outdoor. My wife and I are empty-nesters now and we live and work out in the boondocks of central Utah, half way between Salt Lake City (great powder) and Moab (great red rocks). Well, I guess that is all for now. Safe travels mate! Perhaps I’ll see you on the road or trail. — Richard Stum

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