Thank you for a well organized Ironman. This was my 6th ride: 1981, 1982, 1983, (pause) 1999, 2000 (another pause) 2009 today!
As a 52-year-old, I know the value of training and asking for advice. I attended your Ironman pre-training class with Bob McEnaney on March 19th. It was a PERFECT class for me. In the past, all my clothing were cotton... so I asked Bob lots of questions about clothing. He had samples of each clothing layer and he explained each. Today, I loved those wool socks, booties, skull cap and rain-suit; and I survived! :) A big credit is due to the information from Bob, and lots of shopping.
Looking forward to next year,
Patrick
Farmington, MN
Letter From Recently Thawed Rider
Hello from one recently thawed out rider,
I have ridden the 65 mile distance for the past three years and enjoyed 2007-2008. This year was different. There were lots of small peletons and it seemed like everyone flew from Lakeville to Jordan with the wind at our backs.
Of course we had all checked the weather and knew what we were in for and it happened for me after the climb out of Jordan and onto 11. Thunder crackled and down it came first in buckets and then the steady downpour. There should be a video of all the riders ringing out their socks at Lonsdale. Your fire pit pic was a good shot but you did not catch the steam coming off everyone's soaked jerseys.
I could not believe how many riders had no shoe covers and there were two guys in shorts! Did anyone not have frozen feet and hands? Everyone I talked to was frozen but most simply made no comment - they were made of sterner stuff. I now know that neoprene booties and waterproof gloves are no protection against 4 hours of riding in the wind and rain. As I told my wife, I want to say I rode the Ironman 10 years in a row (3 so far) but I would need to have serious memory loss to brave those conditions again. At least I finished. I thought the all to auto and semi traffic on the detoured Hwy 86 was a bit hairy and one soul in a pick up honked at me even though I was way right - turkey - did he see the conditions?
I was amazed to see the parking lot full knowing the weather that was in store for us. How many too the sag buses? They seemed full at Lonsdale. Congratulations on having such a loyal group of riders in such miserable conditions. Do we know get 10 years of warm sunny rides?
From the older contingent - Rick, age 64
I have ridden the 65 mile distance for the past three years and enjoyed 2007-2008. This year was different. There were lots of small peletons and it seemed like everyone flew from Lakeville to Jordan with the wind at our backs.
Of course we had all checked the weather and knew what we were in for and it happened for me after the climb out of Jordan and onto 11. Thunder crackled and down it came first in buckets and then the steady downpour. There should be a video of all the riders ringing out their socks at Lonsdale. Your fire pit pic was a good shot but you did not catch the steam coming off everyone's soaked jerseys.
I could not believe how many riders had no shoe covers and there were two guys in shorts! Did anyone not have frozen feet and hands? Everyone I talked to was frozen but most simply made no comment - they were made of sterner stuff. I now know that neoprene booties and waterproof gloves are no protection against 4 hours of riding in the wind and rain. As I told my wife, I want to say I rode the Ironman 10 years in a row (3 so far) but I would need to have serious memory loss to brave those conditions again. At least I finished. I thought the all to auto and semi traffic on the detoured Hwy 86 was a bit hairy and one soul in a pick up honked at me even though I was way right - turkey - did he see the conditions?
I was amazed to see the parking lot full knowing the weather that was in store for us. How many too the sag buses? They seemed full at Lonsdale. Congratulations on having such a loyal group of riders in such miserable conditions. Do we know get 10 years of warm sunny rides?
From the older contingent - Rick, age 64
A Letter From An Angry Driver
Why do your bike riders have the right to impede traffic and NOT follow traffic laws?
I have to STOP at a stop sign, can you tell me WHY your bike riders DO not! YOUR rules need to be changed! Or is your organization above the law? - Vernon
I have to STOP at a stop sign, can you tell me WHY your bike riders DO not! YOUR rules need to be changed! Or is your organization above the law? - Vernon
Rider Comments #4 2009
For my 1st Ironman, it was good to know it was one of the tougher ones over the years! Let’s just say the ride “broke me in” for any other spring riding. - Karl- -
Here's my story.....
7AM to 3PM.....100 miles, dressed in the full kit for winter riding, shoe
heaters, cross bike, fenders, touring tires - think tank bike here....bike
and wet clothes added 30 pounds....I felt AND moved like a super tanker
that was being assaulted by wind pirates. Bastards. Passed a few, few
passed me. Think I saw more people getting sagged than finished. I hope
those people who we already shivering uncontrollably at first stop did the
smart thing and got sag back.
The human body has the ability to forget pain. I've logged several hundred
miles already since that nasty day in April. Are you ready to ride next
year...I am.
See you then. Charlie
- -
Thanks very much for the heroic efforts in keeping everyone safe again
this year. Having no control over the weather makes your job considerably
more difficult than just marking a coarse and providing rest stops. I have
ridden the Ironman many years and very few of them have been “good”
weather but none have been as bad as ’09. - Jerry, Winona
Another 2009 Ironman Rider Story
Dear Ironman
I just went on your site now and did not realize that I accomplished that much. It was wet, cold and windy. But a blast! I rode my Bianchi Castro Valley, Orange! I was so excited for this years ride, my second. It turned out to be just as exciting as I had hoped.
I bike all winter long, and am not afraid of the cold. The wet is another story. I was getting nervous about riding in rain. Turns out there was not much to fear. Once I was saturated it was a question of keeping my glasses somewhat useful.
The route was nice. There were some good hills and the road was much smoother than last year. I tossed out my bike computer last winter and so had only my watch to guide me on time. I figured the organizers knew that we rode 100 Miles. It took me 45 minutes longer than my longest century to date. Must have been all that water on my cloths.
Starting the ride was pleasant. Naturally I was over dressed. So I shed some of my gear and was enjoying a cool but dry ride. That is when the rain hit. Somewhere out of Jordan I believe. Just my kit and leg warmers until I stopped again. I was glad I had dry cloths in my back pack. Opps... they were soaked too. Next best thing was to put on my wet gear and get some body warmth.
I have to say I was a bit un social on the ride. No opportunity to chat more than to say how you doing? I was impressed the people who did the ride. They are a hardy bunch. Me, not a sniffle nor a sore anything. I think the cold was just what the doctor ordered.
I would like to thank the volunteers at the rest stops. They are the greatest people in the World. The little kids moping the wet floors that I am sure I contributed to. Only one complaint... any chance of having water proof TP next year? I drank coffee.. the other gator aid. It warmed me right up and with a smile and encouraging word from the EMT's I was off and riding again. I also was so proud of the people who rode in spite of the weather.
Thanks Ironman. Let's do this again next year. And to those who didn't ride... Buck up you have another chance to soak your shorts, it saves on Chamios cream.
Best
Tom
I just went on your site now and did not realize that I accomplished that much. It was wet, cold and windy. But a blast! I rode my Bianchi Castro Valley, Orange! I was so excited for this years ride, my second. It turned out to be just as exciting as I had hoped.
I bike all winter long, and am not afraid of the cold. The wet is another story. I was getting nervous about riding in rain. Turns out there was not much to fear. Once I was saturated it was a question of keeping my glasses somewhat useful.
The route was nice. There were some good hills and the road was much smoother than last year. I tossed out my bike computer last winter and so had only my watch to guide me on time. I figured the organizers knew that we rode 100 Miles. It took me 45 minutes longer than my longest century to date. Must have been all that water on my cloths.
Starting the ride was pleasant. Naturally I was over dressed. So I shed some of my gear and was enjoying a cool but dry ride. That is when the rain hit. Somewhere out of Jordan I believe. Just my kit and leg warmers until I stopped again. I was glad I had dry cloths in my back pack. Opps... they were soaked too. Next best thing was to put on my wet gear and get some body warmth.
I have to say I was a bit un social on the ride. No opportunity to chat more than to say how you doing? I was impressed the people who did the ride. They are a hardy bunch. Me, not a sniffle nor a sore anything. I think the cold was just what the doctor ordered.
I would like to thank the volunteers at the rest stops. They are the greatest people in the World. The little kids moping the wet floors that I am sure I contributed to. Only one complaint... any chance of having water proof TP next year? I drank coffee.. the other gator aid. It warmed me right up and with a smile and encouraging word from the EMT's I was off and riding again. I also was so proud of the people who rode in spite of the weather.
Thanks Ironman. Let's do this again next year. And to those who didn't ride... Buck up you have another chance to soak your shorts, it saves on Chamios cream.
Best
Tom
Rider Comments #3 2009
First of all wow! What a ride! This was my Seventh 100 miler. You never know what to expect. Thank you for putting on such a well organized ride. I'm looking forward to next year already. - Paul
Ironman Song Rider Story
I ride with a group of 15-20 guys, mostly in our 40s and 50s, on Saturday mornings and rides like the Ironman together. I and one of the others read this little poem at our carb-loading dinner the night before the ride. We thought you would find it amusing.
Of course we did the 100 miles. One of our riders made the comment on a previous Ironman in similar weather, "We paid for 100, we're riding 100."
If you remember the CB Radio Craze in the '70s, you will understand...
Convoy (adapted)
Was a miserable day a week before May
On a Bianchi feeling light
A fancy Trek Carbon with Dura Ace
And a one-speed mountain bike
We was heading for food on 68
About a mile out of Lakeville start
The rain and wind had just begun
And I’m thinking this isn’t too smart
…but we gotta little ol' convoy, as the clouds block out the light
Yeah we gotta little ol' convoy, ain't she a beautiful sight?
Come on an' join our convoy, ain't nothin' gonna git in our way
We're gonna roll this bikin' convoy, down Montgomery way
Convoy... Convoy...
By the time we got into Jordan-Town
We had twenty-five bikes in all
But there’s a long line at the food table
An' them bikers are wall to wall
Yeah them bikers 'as thick as bugs on a bumper
They even had a bike with one wheel
I sez callin' all bikers with two tires
I’m ready for a couple of beers!
Cause we gotta little ol' convoy, as the clouds block out the light
Yeah we gotta little ol' convoy, ain't she a beautiful sight?
Come on an' join our convoy, ain't nothin' gonna git in our way
We're gonna roll this bikin' convoy, down Montgomery way
Convoy... Convoy...
We skipped the turn at 21
Ain’t going through no New Prague
Lots of folks optin’ for the short 65 one
But that’s just not our way!
Well we rolled down Minnesota 59
The wind was at our tails
We took off all of our winter clothes
And turned them into sails
By the time we got into Belle Plaine Town
Eberly, late as usual, was just arriving at the start
Bob the shutterbug had taken his camera out
And Mark’s top tube was falling apart
The temp had dropped to 29
Tim in shorts was feeling fine
Well-dressed Wayne was enjoying it all
On a bike built in ‘79
John was as tough as ever
And Ben was looking gooood
Josh was working to keep up
And Rick just wanted food
Steppe was getting nervous
His wife wanted him home by one
And Greg, our Mr. Styleman
Looked great in his Ralph Lauren
Bikers we passed gave a whistle at Christy
Quite the looker
And Dan came chuffing up behind
Sounding like a pressure cooker
Cause we gotta little ol' convoy, as the clouds block out the light
Yeah we gotta little ol' convoy, ain't she a beautiful sight?
Come on an' join our convoy, ain't nothin' gonna git in our way
We're gonna roll this bikin' convoy, down Montgomery way
Convoy... Convoy...
Well we laid a strip for old Le Sueur
The rest stop was in our sight
Provaznik, he was getting tired
From polishing his new Merlin bike all night
Al Gustafson was just warming up
On his 37th Ironman don’t cha know?
And we all felt blessed that Mr. Schoo
Had simply decided to show
We left Le Sueur for Montgomery
And onto quaint Lonsdale
The route had changed from the year before
And the riders were getting pale
From Lonsdale we headed up
Into a fierce north wind
Chris, eh, from Winnipeg
Was starting to lose his grin
And as the rain turned into hail
This ride Jeff Martin didn’t miss
And we all have Steve Gleason to thank
For keeping up our contact list.
Cause we gotta little ol' convoy, as the clouds block out the light
Yeah we gotta little ol' convoy, ain't she a beautiful sight?
Come on an' join our convoy, ain't nothin' gonna git in our way
We're gonna roll this bikin' convoy, down Montgomery way
Convoy... Convoy...
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