4-26-14

Me: The Whiskey 50 mountain bike race & my birthday!!

My Facebook post here describes my morning...

Chose to spend my birthday morning doing a bike race in freezing rain & snow. The Whiskey 50 conditions were outrageous and for me it was too much to take. I turned around when I felt hypothermic and could no longer use my frozen fingers. Traversed back on some single track and found a cabin where some lovely people took me in and warmed me up by their fire. Thank you, "snow angels!" My husband picked me up later with the truck but first joined me and my new friends for hot chocolate. Memorable birthday so far! Think we'll find a nice cafe' for dinner and watch the snow flakes fall outside the window on APRIL 26!  Thank you all for your birthday wishes!

The Whisky 50 started at 7:30am in heavy rain.

We thought we were dressed for the elements and started the race feeling prepared for the 50 miles ahead.

But the rain turned to snow and the temperature dropped...a LOT!

I was in decent race position when I couldn't deal with the weather conditions anymore. I was soaked and shivering. My fingers so frozen that I couldn't use them. I pulled off the trail and made the decision to turn back. Bob wasn't far behind me so when he saw that I was going to quit, he agreed it was wise. We both backtracked the trail along with about 30 others who were feeling just as miserable.  

We got a ways down the trail but with 5 more miles still to ride to town I couldn't go any further. I was desperate for warmth and that's when we knocked on a cabin. Those folks were amazing and took me in! While I sat by their fire Bob continued by bike to get the car. He later told me that was the coldest he's ever been on the bike as he and others struggled to return. 

Locals in trucks rescued riders in various areas across the mountain. It actually was serious with racers getting hypothermic. 24 degrees, high winds, rain, snow & sleet that was painful to your face. While a large number of riders had to be pulled from the course there was a surprisingly good number of racers who completed the whole 50 mile route (WOW, they are tough!). Congratulations to ALL of them. No matter their time...just to survive that is winning!!
(race photos by friend, Kathy)

The rest of the day was a blast! After we threw our dirty clothes in the hotel room and took a long hot shower we spent the afternoon downtown. It was really fun having drinks on the balcony over The Palace with a nice view of the finish line.

Friends Robyn and Kata joined us on the balcony too. Later Bob and I had a yummy steak dinner at Murphy's. It was an epic birthday!  Bob and I have no regrets starting or quitting the race today. It was the right choice for us. Special thanks to my awesome husband who took such good care of me today. He's always looking out for me and I'm so happy we get to enjoy the good, the bad, and the crazy stuff together. Love you, honey!