Team Velo at Joshua Tree Double Century

Mary, Ed, Creed, Lilia, Rick, Roland and Ray at mile 150.

"Team Velo Loco" (Roland von Kriegenbergh, Rick Winters, Creed McPherson, Mary Diaz and newest member, Ed Rios) did their second double century, Joshua Tree on March 16th.   We were excited to add another member to the crazy team, Ed Rios!  This was his first double and boy did he pick a hard one!  In my opinion this double was the hardest of the two that we have done this year.  It had an elevation gain of 9,381 feet.  We started out together at 4:30 a.m. with no wind and a comfortable temperature.  We made it to the first SAG stop (33 miles) in a little over an hour.  Riding in the dark does provide some hazards so our pace was a little slower than average.  After the first SAG, we experienced a wonderful downhill and upon taking a left on Indian Canyon Avenue, we were greeted with a spectacular sunrise and clear views all around.   We cruised over the new few miles with comfortable temperatures.   We stopped at the second SAG (the same location as Palm Springs, the truck stop) and were able to peel off our layers, spray on the sunscreen and prepare for the long trek on the 10 freeway which was approximately 30 miles.  At that point, it started to get hot with dead air.  I can only describe the experience of riding on the freeway as one filled with trepidation and excitement.  To have cars and trucks rolling by you at top speed is pretty scarey.   When we finally reached the third SAG (lunch), we were more than ready for our fill of food, Coke (yes you crave Coke out there), water and all the necessary items to help keep us going.    The route put us back on the 10 freeway again for a short while until the Eagle Mountain exit.    On this portion of the ride, Roland experienced a flat on this stretch and while waiting, I decided to get the truckers involved by doing the "blow your horn" signal....It was absoutely hilarious to have them blowing their horns while Ed and I danced...(if only you can picture it).   When we got off the freeway we finally had hit the 100 mile mark and where the mental toughness starts to kick in.  While we were rewarded in the morning, the afternoon produced extremely hot conditions and headwinds.   Our awesome Velo SAG comprised of Ramon Diaz and Lila Kleinman provided us with cold water, ice, gatorade, in between the SAGS provided by the race.  We even had NYTRO for the tires (no, it does not make you go faster).  Ray and Lila even helped out many people that probably would not have made it without their support.  By the end of the ride, people were talking about that AWESOME Velo SAG!  Someone even asked me if we were a pro team!   While this ride produced some beautiful scenery, it made you question your ability to get past the endless roads that served only to screw with your mind.   There were no downhills on the second half, only miles and miles of endless elevation gain.  By mile 170, some of us were on the verge of hitting the wall however we collectively pooled our mental strength and pulled each other to the end.  The last six miles were probably the toughest.  Looking out across the vast desert at night you can only see small twinkling lights which seem to serve as small beacons of light to guide you home.    We finally made it to our destination and were rewarded with a Hammer bar and a Bummer Sticker.....you ask, who would want to pay for that type of pain and in the end only get a bumper sticker?  Well to that I say....BECAUSE WE CAN!  I want to say to my Velo peeps that you continue to inspire me in ways I could never imagine.   Thank you for pushing me to new limits.  Congratulations and here's to the next one!