***This is book two of the Magic Stick series, please make sure to read book one
Jack Rabbit and Search for the Magic StickSix Gap over the Magic Stick
I have learned not to knock the wisdom of the MTB crew. The night prior to
Jack Rabbit, I learned invaluable advice that I was determined to try out
for Six Gap. 1) Avoid fruit and yogurt at all cost before a race/ride. 2)
Magic sticks with the trigger point technology are just that....MAGIC.
After my jog through the spectacular Jack Rabbit course (Ladies...we should
give this race a try next year!), I spent well over an hour using my magic
stick (minds out of the gutter people) to roll out the knots in my legs to
prepare for Six Gap. The magic stick did it's MAGIC people!
I have to happily report, that the knowledge that I learned from Fruitless
and M.E. was spot on! They know what they are talking about. Six Gap was
AWESOME. The weather turned out perfect for a 104 mile ride in the North Ga
Hills. Lindsey, Andy, and I disembarked at 7:30 am Sunday morning for an
adventure. Before we even made it to Gap #1 (Neal's), Lindsey and Andy
asked me if we had already climbed our first gap. Unfortunately...no. We had
just made it passed the infamous Rock Pile and had a little to go. Lindz
planned to do 3 Gap, and Andy and I were going to do 6 Gap. Our deal is to
always climb at your own pace and meet at the top. I knew when I passed a
group which included Andy in it and he didn't look happy, things may not go
as planned. Sure enough, Andy's legs were wiped out by heavy squats from
Cross Fit....damn XFit!! I told him that if he wanted to do 3 Gap, now was
the time to make the decision because the turn off was in the middle of
descending Neals. I lost my buddies. They turned on Wolfpen and I
continued on to complete 6 gap.
At this point I decided to get my miles and hours in for training, don't
give up no matter how difficult, listen to some good music, and make some
friends. I don't have company on the Ironman...need to keep that in mind
here. Jack's was typical...rolling hills, a pain in the butt, and keep
moving. Rest stops were packed and people were blocking tables, so I
bypassed and kept on trucking. Good thing is riding with Super Freak, I
know the route and know the places I can stop. Unicoi was a great climb,
nothing spectacular about it, other than I knew that the 50 mile mark was
about half way down. Whoohoo. I met a friend at this point, but I'm pretty
sure I pissed him off when I said I didn't know how people did this ride in
6 hours...he said he could do it in 6 1/2 and took off. LOL. Then...the
dreaded HOGPEN. It's a 7 mile climb with the steepest elevation that makes
you want to cry...and makes you want to walk or run because you can get up
it faster that way. I know I saw 3.7 mph once. The remainder was typically
4.0 mph. OUCH. I was DETERMINED not to walk...I always have in the past,
but damn it, I didn't want it to beat me. This was the climb to make
it...then it's all downhill from there....and I freakin made it. I almost
cried when I reached the top...okay I did tear up...saw Super Freak and
Frisbee and knew it was in the BAG!!! Of course all they wanted was for me
to get them food from the SAG stop. No glory.
The next two Gaps were Wolfpen and Woody. I was ready to get back to the
car and hit the road, so it was all about just getting it done. My legs
felt like Magic the entire ride, so I give cudos to M.E., Super Freak, and
Fruitless for the good magic vibes! Total of 8 hours on the bike for Six
Gap....and I'm tired.
I know I've talked most of you into doing Six Gap next year, so we should
have a great showing in 2012, right?
Jogger
