August 15, 2009 a date that will be etched in my mind for the next couple of months. This was the TDF Palmdale summer stage that the sadistic bike ride architect Francis Ignacio concocted to inflict pain and suffering to masochists; us cycling fanatics who despite warnings endured the windy cold start, oppressive sun and endless punishing climbs that has become his signature. And for what, why do we do this, why do we keep coming to his house of pain? Well for those dedicated cyclists, die-hard roadies, and hardcore goats, the answer is easy.  It's the challenge, the test of will, the desire to push the body beyond its limits and the satisfaction and glory of overcoming all these in one hard ride. It's a trial that taxes your mental and physical endurance; how fast can you go, how long can you last, how much can you push, how much pain can you take?

Manny, Agt Al and Allan R. picked me up at 3:10 am from my house in Poway. I didn't get a good sleep cause I kept turning and was kind of dreading this ride.  I had been on vacation for a couple of weeks and have had only about 3 rides for the last 3 weeks. I also gained a few pounds during my vacation. I went anyway and was also excited to ride cause I've never ridden in Palmdale and Big Pines Highway that led to Angeles Crest.  I tried to sleep in the car but was only able to nap for an hour intermittently. I chatted with  kuya Manny every now and then to make sure he was OK. I shouldn't complain though cause Allan worked until an hour before Manny picked him up. How he finished the ride and finish ahead of many people is a testament of his power and endurance. Agt Al even though he had work commitments was able to come with us. We met Cliff at the staging area and Gerald  also came though I didn't see him at the start.

 

I had investigated the possible route on Google maps and posted it on the MMCC shoutbox.  At the start Francis came up to me and told me I missed two climbs. Oh, oh, it's even harder than I thought.  In honor of the Filipino tradition we started the 6:30 ride close to 7 am. The first 5 miles or so were fairly flat interspersed with mild gradients. It was neutralized for the first few miles to keep the hammerheads from dropping the slower riders, me included.  As soon as we reached Mt Emma, the front riders started to increase the pace. Not wanting to be left too far behind, I speeded up to them and since Allan was there, I was comfortable to draft behind him. After about 15 minutes at 27-30 mph I heard that familiar sound of a flat tire. Dang, not again, so I slowed down and looked at my tires. The front 7 or so riders left me as I checked my wheels. My tires looked OK.  I asked another rider as the rest caught up to me if my tires were flat. They were not. The heat and the sun had softened the tar and the road which caused the sticking tires and made that noise. It took me about 7 minutes to bridge the gap and caught up to the leaders. I would pay later for the effort.

Since I had my mountain cassette I was able to spin comfortably.  After a while I dropped from the front cause I couldn't keep the pace they set and I wanted to save my legs. I chatted with and rode next to Jun Usi of the Adobos.  From a distance I saw on my helmet mirror a red pick up truck with its blinkers on pull up with Filipino songs blaring. Wouldn't you know it, it's Gerald. He encouraged me to keep spinning which I dutifully obeyed. It's comforting to have a familiar face sagging along with Manny and Francis and the rest of the Adobo crew. Except for a couple of flats with slight descents, the road kept going up and up.  Cliff soon passed me a couple of miles at the 9% climb to the first stop at the Devil's Punchbowl; a foreboding name. This was one of the climbs I missed on Google Maps.  Agt Al came up and I stayed with him for a few minutes but then he turned on his afterburners and left me. I remembered Edgar's advice and rode at my pace.

At mile 20 or so Francis had the aid station set up complete with bananas, oranges, grapes, water, and assorted foods to rehydrate and fuel up.  Manny and Gerald were waiting along with Allan, Cliff, and Agt. Al. After removing my leg and arm warmers and vest I refilled my bottles and sampled their foods. I waited a bit and chatted with another cyclist while waiting at the bathroom.  I told her the ride was challenging and I shouldn't have any problems unless I cramped up. When I got back on my bike, the MMCC riders had already left. I was able to hang on to some fast riders for the descent to the next climb. We passed many cyclists along the way. I found out later that two of them finished the ride first with the front group. 

All of a sudden my quads cramped.  At mile 25 I stopped and unclipped. Both of my vastus mediales had knotted and panic almost set in. I relaxed and rested for a few minutes all the while riders passed by me. Now that I think about it, nobody asked me if I was OK, maybe they did and it didn't register. I drank 2 endurolytes with water and hoped for the best.  I carefully mounted my bike and  slowly pedaled. It was a bit flat so it helped. I spinned and gradually caught up to some riders.  I saw Rosalie and her friend and decided to ride with them. My cramp gradually went away but not completely.  It was just enough for me to keep up with them; but getting out of the saddle or pushing hard was a no no. As soon as I pedaled harder the cramp came back so I had to back off and spin the whole time.  We were climbing between 6-7.5 mph at that point.  Unbeknownst to me Rosalie was also cramping up. After another 45 minutes or so we stopped to refill out bottles with Manny. Rosalie had to be helped off the bike due to her cramps. Her friend massaged her quads to alleviate the pain. 

We resumed our climb after about 10 minutes. Except for a couple of short flats and slight descents, the gradient never let up.  I was so hot that I drank both bottles in no time. I told Rosalie to go on ahead while I refilled with Manny. Manny was my saviour today. I'm so glad he was there and always just ahead not too far away.  Thank you so much.  The hill got steeper and the heat was draining my energy. My cramps were coming on and off. I slowed to 4-5 mph. I started to question my sanity.  Did I want to keep going? Why am I punishing my self? So many times I wanted to stop and end the suffering. I could have easily gone back to Manny for a ride to the top. At times I rode at 3.5 mph just enough to keep moving and not fall down. Now I know that zigzagging can save the day.  When it was safe I rode on the left side of the rode to get some shade.

An Adobo sag vehicle drove by and I think it was Ricky who stuck out two fingers said just two miles to go. I could have stuck out one finger but I needed both hands on the handlebar to keep from falling.  Finally... so close to the summit. I got to the final mile and Gerald was there to give me a hand. He got behind me and gave a push for a good minute or two. Thanks Gerald. That was a relief.  He said just one more mile but it was very steep.  He was right. I heard 9-12 % grade. This was the second climb I missed on Google Maps.  At this point my BBQ was shot.  My back, my butt, and my quads were giving out.  If I climbed out of the saddle my butt pain would subside, but my quads would soon cramp and lock up.  Over the span of about 15 minutes it was a difficult balance of which pain I could endure.  It was agonizingly slow for me but I was able to call on my depleted reserves one last time and persevered.  My cramps were knocking and I was bonking.  Slowly and painfully I passed some riders who were stopped at the side of the road. I was not the only one suffering. After what seemed to be an eternity I heard laughter and voices just around the bend. The finality of the climb boosted my energy just enough for me to make it over the final pitch which gave way to a friendlier and  flatter mesa.

I made it. Most of the riders were eating, drinking and laughing as the final riders trickled in.  Manny helped me off my bike and told me to eat and rest. I limped to the table where Cliff, Alan, and Agt Al had been resting. After lunch and a restroom break I walked over to Rosalie's friend.  She helped me stretch out my quads and hamstrings. I almost kicked her as I had to straighten my leg fast to prevent a cramp on the back of my leg.

Riders were still slowly grinding their way up as we made our way back. The ride down was fast and fun. Carving around the bends, I felt energized and strong. The descent was exhilarating as the wind rushed over my face. I think I saw 40 on the straightaways . But the cautious side of me told me to slow down and be safe which I did. After about 15 miles of mostly downhill we approached the first climb. It wasn't that steep maybe 4% but all of a sudden BAM!  My quads cramped and my legs locked up. Fortunately I was able to unclip my left foot. I stopped close to the side of the road. But I couldn't move my feet at that point. My cramp was so severe I could not unclip my other foot or even hobble to the side of the road.  So I froze there and waited for help. Once again Manny was there to save the day. How lucky for me that he was there at that moment directing riders at the turn. As the last rider passed Manny drove up to me and helped me off my bike; serendipity in spades.  That was it for me. While Manny secured my bike I climbed in the car and joined Agt Al and Ben from the Adobos. He had I think broken his chain on the way up.  Agt. Al told me he didn't feel well, a little dizzy and nauseaus. After directing the riders at a couple of more corners, Manny headed to the finish.  As usual Francis and crew had foods and drinks to replenish everybody.

I rode the TDF Heartbreak 100 Mt Frazier 2008.  I cramped on mile 20 and mile 80.  Guess who was there to help me? Yup, Manny again; but I finished...tired but without pain. I did TDF Mt. Baldy  and I felt strong and did really well....except for getting lost.  I gave my all at the TDF Castaic 2008.  I retaliated at Francis by eating a lot of his posole so nobody else could have it; but he was ready and he prepared a lot of food.  This time around, Francis succeeded in breaking me. Whether I didn't train enough, the weather got the best of me or whatever excuse I can come up with, I can honestly say that this TDF Palmdale was the hardest ride for me notwithstanding the 2007 Tour De Poway 100 my first ride longer than 5 miles. I have learned just a bit more of myself, my capability and endurance and my threshold for pain.  If anything this is great motivation for me to train more and ride more often just so I don't have to go through this torture one more time. I just want to thank Francis and the Adobos and crew and my fellow MMCC riders for allowing me to partake of the adventure and challenge that is the Tour De Francis.