Now, what lessons can I pull from the ashes of dismal failure and offer up
that future first-timers might avoid the same errors?
1. One can often drag one's sorry self through the "little" brevets on
stubbornness, but there comes a point where real fitness is required.
Reading a sport psychology book before an event, however good the book might
be, is no substitute for lots of kilometers.
2. Having booked time off work for the event, then gathering excuses instead
of kilometers in the weeks (months!) preceding the event, there came a time
when I knew the odds were against finishing. I could have had a much more
positive experience had I volunteered instead of entering the event. That's
what I'll do next time if I'm not confident of finishing. Harold told me
that Karen Smith both volunteered and entered! Wow!
3. If you do gather excuses before an event like this, write them down, date
them and take them along. Sitting dazed and despondent at the shore of
Moose Lake I found that I couldn't recall most of the excuses. If I'd had
them along I could have at least reviewed them. Speaking of reviewing
things, if you keep a training diary (I expect most of us do) on't just
write in it, read it once in a while to see just how much you might be
slacking.
4. At registration and bike check, bring ALL the mandatory equipment (ie
reflective clothing) or you will be forced to throw yourself upon the mercy
of the bike checker. Thanks Harold. Also DON'T SET YOUR CONTROL CARD DOWN!
Not ever. Not even for a moment.
5. Remember that the control card needs to be signed at the start too. It
might be expected that I'd know that last point by now, but I usually arrive
at starts as or after the other riders leave (see 6.) and scramble through
in a tense rush. I guess I haven't had to think about it before. Thanks
Danelle and all the volunteers at all the starts where I haven't had to
think.
6. Arrive early! This also gives you time to check over your equipment
before you go.
7. At no time should you be cranking away at a barrel adjuster and saying
"shift you *@#&!" while the chain goes "click-click-click-click..." This is
a sign that something else is wrong. Perhaps the quick-release that should
have been checked at the start is open. (see 6.)
Having called it quits, I looked at my map and decided that Tete Jaune Cache looked like an easier place to get home from than Jasper. At Tete Jaune I had the pleasure of Harold and Mack's company for dinner, one of the highlights of my adventure. It may not have been apparent in my semi-catatonic state, but good company did lots to improve my mood. Thanks gentlemen. Later I put to the test an idea that I read somewhere. After a hot bath for me, I washed shorts, jersey, socks, jacket and pants in the sink, rung them out, then rolled each up in a towel and squeezed before hanging them up. Sure enough even the heavier garments were dry by morning. The roll-up-in-a-towel thing works great!
Friday morning I bicycle-limped back to Valemount at a sad 15-20 kph. Got
some inspiration at the sign honouring Terry Fox. In Valemount I learned
several things.
a) Greyhound does carry bikes, but the bike must be boxed. (Actually Harold
had told me as much the evening before.)
b) Sporting goods stores, even in a town of 1300, may have a cardboard bike
box that you can have for free as it would just go in the garbage anyway.
Thanks Valemount Sporting & Clothing.
c) With the bus soon to leave, it is possible to undo cables and remove
handlebars, saddle, wheels, fender, pedals and rear derailleur and stuff it
all in a box in under half an hour armed only with a Topeak "Power 21" tool.
I wouldn't recommend it though.
That was about it for my adventure. The Greyhound was comfy...actually a couple more things I learned. People on Greyhounds will place objects in the seat beside them so it appears that the seat is occupied at stops. One must be a little assertive to find a seat on a half empty bus! Also, reading a newspaper on the bus passes the time, but wounds the spirit. My antidote for all that bad news was to remember some of the people I've met on this ride and rides past. I wonder if other sports attract as fine a bunch of people as randonneuring does?
Sincere thanks to Danelle and all who helped make this event possible. I
had a great time in spite of things not going quite to plan. I look forward
to reading the stories of riders who completed the 1200 and maybe some tips
on what they did right!