Industry Figure Tom Chappell

T-minus 6 days:
Egad, look at that thing. Especially that Wacky, Wacky Foxen Canyon Road — that’s the 1,100-foot climb from mile 75 to mile 85. It just keeps getting steeper the higher you climb! It took me 75 minutes to climb it in 2002, my best performance ever: I was fatter, but younger. Industry Figure Stephen Newell says that I’m Younger This Year, but I’m pretty sure that that was supposed to be Next Year.

“I’m doomed as doomed can be, you know.”

---

T-minus 5 days:
I took a break from my current pastime of staring at the Foxen Canyon Road segment like Ed Grimley staring into the gaze of a cobra, to wonder about my past times at Solvang.

Because they seem strangely, even weirdly, fast.

In 1995, I did the old 102-mile course in about 8 hours of seat time, that’s 12.75 mph.
In 1996, I shaved off 10 minutes, completing it in 7:50:00 seat time, 13.0 mph.
I don’t have a record of the Y2K time; I was probably happy just to finish it.
And in 2002, I was a full half-hour faster, for 7:19:50 seat time, 13.9 mph.

Compare and contrast to last Saturday’s pre-Solvang ride: though only 92 miles, it was only 12.7 mph.

That has really been gnawing at me; it feels like I’m much slower again.

But maybe Solvang is different, somehow. At Solvang, I’m often riding in a pack, and you get quite a break from any headwind by doing that. Or perhaps it’s something about the design of the course: the whole last 15 miles is essentially a big ferocious downhill, with a few notable uphills (e.g. ‘The Wall’), but mostly you’re just sailing home.

“Maybe it’s the windmills, or the kringle? Or even the aebleskiver?”

---

T-minus 4 days:
But that’s not even the Important Thing! Of course I’ll finish the darn course — I’ve always finished it! The Important Thing is: can I get a reservation at Mattei’s Tavern? Or if they’re full, should we haul ourselves all the way to the Cold Spring Tavern? Where, in short, shall we eat?

“I’ll have the center-cut pork chops, please! And the tomato bisque!”

---

T-minus 3 days:
Industry Figure Stephen Newell contributed the following. Mind you, I read the book myself, and have quite often recalled this exact same excellent advice, but only when walking up mountains. Funny.

Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible, and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you’re no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn’t just a means to an end, but a unique event itself.

–Robert Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

---

T-minus 2 days:
Our dinner reservations at Mattei’s Tavern are locked down with a credit card, and better yet, were made online!

The fabulous lunch on the way home at Cold Spring Tavern will be a less-structured affair, as they don’t take reservations for parties of fewer than six diners.

“Hm, no tomato bisque tonight? But you are serving a Puree of Broccoli Soup? Sounds delicious!”

---

T-minus 1 day:
Industry Figure Leah Newell says that I’d be crazy to let my insane competitiveness (vs. my six-year-ago self, or vs. Industry Figure Ron Traver) ruin Solvang for me this year.

And she has a point.

But the thing is: (a) It’s me, (b) I’m willing to just enjoy the ride, and let it happen, and not bring my desires to the mountains and all. And I’m sure that Ron won’t lord it over me when he (inevitably) crushes me.

But that six-years-ago Tom Chappell, if he beats me, there will be no end to the gloating — I know that guy, and he’s an absolute bastard that way; just ask anybody.

“Wait, wait, you’re telling me that you’re 30 pounds lighter than I was, and I still beat you? That’s just…so awesome! No no, don’t feel bad; you know, you’re old! (Oh man, wait’ll I tell the Internet!)”