The Hotter’n Hell 100 in Wichita Falls, TX in August has met its match…the 3-day SC Ride to End Alzheimer’s.
This is a charity event to ride from Simpsonville, SC in the northwest corner of the state to the coast at Mount Pleasant. I rode for my sister Mary Margaret and my good friend John’s wife Eileen. My good friend, Jim rode for his mother-in-law, Hazel. The first day was hot but uneventful (66.3 miles, 2,667 elevation), ending in Newberry SC at the college. We got to sleep in dorms and eat cafeteria food. I have forgotten what that was like. Day 2 was the hardest. The morning started out at 80° and didn’t get cooler. At about mile 75, an EMT vehicle passed me and asked if I was OK. I said yes and kept pedaling. He said I was weaving all over the road and asked if I was sure I was OK. I said, well not really and got in a sag for the last 12 miles. Cold water and A/C never felt so good. The temperature was 96°with a heat index of 106°. (90.1 miles, 3,783 elevation). The last day had similar temps and heat index, but I made it this time. A 15-mile segment toward the end was on a highway, which required a police escort to guide us in groups because of the traffic. The radiant heat from the pavement combined with 95° temps and a heat index of 108 ° made for a rough segment. The last 2 miles included a 200-foot climb over the Ravenel Bridge crossing the Cooper River. Just what you need at the end of a long, hot day. The bridge had a bike lane which was good because the winds were buffeting us all around. There are no other bike lanes in SC that I know of. (102 miles 1,148 elevation) The finish line, a beer, and a hotel pool were better rewards than my ride jersey and medal. It was for a good cause. (click any slide to view show)
