From: Galon, Jeff A., 1LT\MTPX 
To: Gower, John H.; Homsy, Gary, CPT; Shelton, Thomas D., CPT; 
Culbreth, Edward R., 1Lt; Obergfell, Eric D., 1Lt; Cheng, Richard., 
CAPT /CLL 
Subject: "100 Miles, Baby!" 
Date: Tuesday, October 10, 1995 2:41PM 
Priority: Low 
 
Having some e-mail failures here in the SPO (surprise, 
surprise)...this is my third attempt to e-mail you all... 
====================================================== 
Hope y'all had a good weekend.  The following is an account of my 
weekend cycling challenge up in Lompoc that I'd like to share with 
you.  If you choose not to read, please delete now. 
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On Sunday, 8 Oct., Capt Gary Homsy and I participated in the "People 
Powered Ride" up in Lompoc (near Vandenberg AFB) and rode the full 
century bicycle challenge.  (Riders got to choose from a 1/2 
century, metric century - 62 miles, or full century). 
 
For Gary, it was his 2nd attempt at the century...last year's 
attempt was cut short 30 miles due to heat exhaustion!  A valiant 
effort, nontheless, but the elements got the best of him!  This 
year, however, Gary was determined to finish.  This was my first 
century ride, and together, we climbed 5,000 feet of hills, endured 
6.5 hours in the saddle and actually rode 105 miles. 
 
The first loop began at River Park and went for 70 miles.  As 
expected, we encountered a few minor setbacks at mile 22, including 
Gary's double-whammy wheel punctures and my computer malfunction.  
Road conditions weren't that great overall.  We hit the first major 
hill at about mile 45 - Drum Canyon Road.  For the next 5 miles, we 
climbed 3600 feet.  The temperature hovered around 80 degrees, so we 
were sucking down a lot of fluids.  From mile 55 on to 70, we found 
ourselves drafting eachother to conserve energy.  With wind gusts of 
20-25 mph, the drafting certainly helped.  We rolled into the Park 
fatigued and hungry - ever so anxious to get rolling again for the 
remaining 30 miles.  At this point, there was no stopping us! 
 
Following lunch, we filled the H20 bottles with Cytomax (lactid 
acid-buffering powdered drink, ideal for cycling/running) and 
stretched the quads, hams, gluts and calves in preparation for the 
final assault.  By now, the ride became a mental challenge.  On the 
way, we cycled past the "Vandyland" main gate and took in a lot of 
scenery.  By mile 88, the last rest stop had come and gone, and we 
were on our final leg up Harris Grade Road.  For the next 4 miles, 
we climbed for the last time...in the smallest gear possible, out of 
the saddle, huffing and puffing, in mental and physical pain, 
straining to find that last bit of energy.  But by the time we 
crested the hill at mile 92, euphoria set in - it was downhill from 
then on, and we were home free. 
 
We spent a total of about 8 hours on the road, including rest stops 
and lunch.  Personally, I've never cycled more than 63 miles, so 
this was certainly a new cycling "milestone" for both of us.  
Despite drinking numerous bottles of fluids and eating bagels, 
bananas and "Gu," we probably lost 4-6 lbs.  Gary says the next 
challenge may be the Race Across America.  Hmm...  For now, the 
recovery and contemplations for next year's cycling season begins.  
Hats off to the folks who set up the event - the Goletta Valley 
Cycling Club for setting up a first-rate event.  Now I know why 
Bicycling magazine considers the "People Powered Ride" one of the 
nation's top 10. 
 
What a great way to end the cycling season...great preparation for 
that silly bike test, too. 
Thanx 4 your time. 
And special thanx to Gary Homsy for keeping the motivation alive, 
despite my moments of griping and 4-ltr word grumbling!!! 
 - Jeff "Hills are my forte...I shall not bonk" Galon