Day Two – CLIMB!!!

San Jose to Turrialba. About 50 miles with 9,000 ft. of climbing.

I knew I was in trouble as soon as I woke up. My legs felt pretty tired from the previous day. Ate breakfast - no change in the legs. Took the bus to the start line - still no change. Picked up my bike from the mechanics and noticed my front shifter wasn’t working. Started to panic, then noticed that the housing was out of one of the cable guides. Working fine now. We started in San Jose, and took about 5 miles to leave town. It felt like a road race for the first five miles. As usual 2-3 crashes occurred, the last one was right on my left, but I managed to avoid it. When I looked back, I saw Trever at the bottom of the pile. He was OK and caught up 2-3 minutes later. That’s when the terrain started up.

Day 2 is simple – a 4 hour climb, with a 2 hour descent, almost. As soon as we started climbing, I noticed my HR was not climbing and my legs were complaining. It’s going to be a LONG day. I started drifting back, hoping that my legs would eventually come to life. I struggled at the beginning – at the middle and at the end. We hit one section with two “curbs” about 18 inches wide – 4 ft apart. This section started at about a 6% grade and gradually increased to at least 20%. Those 18 inches felt like 2 when you’re going 2.5 mph. I managed to climb halfway then had to walk the rest. This was a scene that I would repeat numerous times throughout the day.

I managed to make to CP 1, but I was hurting. My back was aching and my legs were nowhere to be found. Somebody told me I was the 102nd rider, but I didn’t believe it. CP 1 to CP 2 is climbing on the road – average grade about 8-10%. I had to get off the bike and walk several times during this 8 mile climb. Wanted to stop and take a break, at least my body wanted a break, but I knew I had to keep going. Up ahead I saw Tim (Titus rider from Tucson) and I would make up some ground, but then I would lose when I stopped to stretch my back. CP 2 is the top of the climb and I figured that’s where Wendy would be. I made it almost to the CP but couldn’t see Wendy, then I noticed she’s talking to Tim. I whistled – HEY, HEY, HEY!!! What about me?! She ran past me, got in position on snapped a few pictures. I ate a banana while we talked, then I headed down the hill. The next 6 miles were rollers – Costa Rican roller. Which means steep hills. FUCKERS!! The last 6-8 miles are all downhill, but some of it pretty technical. This is where many people get hurt – broken wrists, collar bones, ribs, etc. is a common at the end of this day.

I managed to walk up every damn hill, and then – Woooo Hoooo!!! – ride the downhills. I came close to going down right next to a barb wired, and thought about slowing down, then decided, NAH, it’s more fun being a little out of control. Oh, yeah, I guess I forgot to mention the mud in this downhill and the cow shit. Some of the descent was pure mud, so you could see some of the rocks embedded in the mud, but not all. There was also a lot of cow shit, so you had to remember to keep you mouth closed at all times. This is how you get sick in Costa Rica, not be drinking the water.

I survive the technical downhill and then hit the last 3 miles of smooth dirt roads (and a little steep) still going down – Woooo hoooo!! My hands were tired of braking, but I managed to stay on the bike, I did had to slow down once to look at the time and this was the only time I got passed by anyone on the downhill. I tried to catch him, but could never close the gap all the way. I finished in just over 6 hours and 30 minutes. Better than I expected, but not in 102nd place. More like in the middle of the pack. Somewhere in the high 100’s.

Took a shower at the local crappy showers, saw a beetle the size of a baseball glove, the body must’ve been at least 2 inches wide and about 10 inches long. With legs, the thing was almost 18 inches long. People were in awe and everybody was taking pictures. Wendy’s bus finally made it back and we headed to the hotel – The Turrialtico. The coolest hotel around.

We ate dinner twice (did the same thing last year at this same hotel), once at 5 PM, then again at 8 PM. I was feeling pretty good, and had high hopes for Day 3.