Screaming Quad Hill
I did it. And I will do it again. However, I don’t mind waiting a year.
200 cyclists, 100 miles, a great cause and one hell of hill.
I don’t know if that hill (more like a mountain and pictured above) previously had a name prior to my near heart attack climbing it, but it does now. Screaming Quad Hill, because that’s exactly what my quadricep muscles were doing by the time I go to the top.
All the riders were told in the ride brief on Friday to expect about a 6% grade climb for about half a mile during the first segment. I had no idea just how punishing a 6% grade in upward slope can be. Thank God for granny gear. I now have a whole new appreciation for professional cyclists. The sport is both physically and mentally demanding.
While in the airport in Cincinnati I picked-up Daniel Coyle’s Lance Armstrong’s War. There are climbs in the pro cycling tour with 6% grade + for well over 10 miles!
Anyway, we started the ride at 7:30 AM on Saturday, pulling out on Highway 93 at the Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish, Montana. I crossed the finish line at 4:00 PM, thoroughly exhausted but with a wonderful sense of accomplishment.
The entire weekend was a great experience. I had an opportunity to get to know riders form all over the United States and also learn a bit more about type 1 diabetes and just how difficult it can be for not only the child but his or her family as well. I think what is rewarding about getting involved with JDRF is the fact that this is an organization completely devoted to finding a cure. There were several riders with diabetes participating in the Whitefish Ride. It was amazing to see their passion and excitement, just being able to participate.
There were many motivational moments, before, during and following the ride. One was provided by the Cincinnati Chapter and Cammy Dierking, news anchor with WKRC Channel 12. Cammy was there to ride and she presented a video of the spot she did on Mary Brown, the 69-year-old widow of Paul Brown, the founder of the Cleveland Browns and past owner of the Cincinnati Bengals. Mary was also riding in the Whitefish Ride. I think this year’s Montana event was either her fourth or fifth JDRF 100-mile ride. Pretty amazing.
There was also a 12-year-old girl with type 1 diabetes riding with her mom who won the poka-dot jersey for being the most enthusiastic and motivating rider.
I was able to get some photographs of the course the following day. I’m going to be sharing these with the rest of the Dayton JDRF riders who are thinking about switching from Death Valley to Whitefish for 2007. I also spent a day up in Glacier National Park. I will be posting those photographs during the next several days. Posted below is a panorama of Viriginia Falls in Glacier National Park.
