Riders: Tom, Lou, Julie, Ethan, Maurice, Kurt (support)
Despite some logistical challenges and indecisiveness in the ranks, Boston Culinary (Team Roux predecessor) succeeded in assembling a team of five riders and one volunteer, representing an unlikely mix of questionable athleticism and inadequate preparation balanced only by generous portions of raw enthusiasm, sheer determination, and excessive good humor.
On the Scene:
Having trained in isolation (if at all), the riders converged on Colorado from multiple points of origin (Florida, DC, and Wisconsin) and immediately set about the business of pre-ride conditioning. The strategy, unconventional at best and improvisational for sure, involved a spirited game of two-on-two basketball followed by a well-coordinated series of three meals in three hours, punctuated by the acquisition and thorough testing of equipment (that’s right, we needed bikes!).
The meals are not to be overlooked, as I’m convinced that the generous helpings of pork BBQ, Tommy B’s sausage & pasta, Boston Culinary apple pie with whip cream and caramel sauce, and my share of a 24″ pizza triggered the metabolic shift necessary to sustain the elevated caloric output required over the course of the ride. Plus, it all tasted great!
Out of the Gate:
Day one was a day of discovery… I reconfirmed my faith in duct tape. Maurice learned about altitude. The reason behind the discounted tires was revealed to Chef Lou. Julie discovered that it’s not the pain you feel before the ride that you have to worry about. Kurt was indoctrinated into the volunteer ranks and embraced his role as “Floater.” And we were all buoyed by the respect shown to our captain who donned the orange jersey of the Top 100 Club.
From Whence We Came:
A true test of endurance is not so much one’s ability to push themselves past the point of exhaustion, it’s whether they can get up and do it all over again the next day. If that’s the case, I also recommend the Chef Lou corollary: Live each day like it could be your last, so don’t skip the room service breakfast! Or, as Maurice concluded, you can be more help to the team on the sideline than in the hospital! So, know thy limits!
For the determined and the brave, day two offered two forms of punishment: short, steep, visually intimidating climbs and long, subtle, slow climbs. I found I preferred the former. But despite the grueling terrain, it was a great day to ride and even though our team’s ranks had dwindled from five, to four, to three, we pushed on to the finish, inspired by our fellow riders and the army of volunteers who lifted our spirits and kept us well provisioned at each rest stop along the way.
Medals were awarded, tears (of relief) were shed, and another ride was in the books.
Team Roux - Bike MS 