That Didn't Happen

My first DNS ( did not start )

Was pretty pumped to go ride Stagecoach 400 this year. Signed up, packed the bike in the car and drove to Idyllwild. Took the scenic route up S2 so I could see what some of the desert areas looked like. It rained a lot on the drive over, in lots of places where I've only seen hot dryness.

Got into Idy, checked into the hotel and listened to the rain at night. Up the next morning, scored some breakfast and went to a shop there and bought some rain pants ( since I forget mine .. lying on the chair by my desk ! ).  Loaded up the bike and went out in the rain and up the first big hill just like I had done before ... windy, rainy, sloppy, water all over the place ... I had a good time actually !  Was fun to see the route on my new Wahoo Roam.

Back to the hotel, dried off some and went for a burger. I think my stomach was already a bit "off", remember eating maybe 2/3 of it.  Went back to the hotel and napped.  Didn't feel all that great, putting some of it to "butterflies". 

Went to the rider's meeting, met a bunch of other riders, talked about rides and stuff, that's always fun. Brendan and Meg talked about some of the reroutes we'd be doing because of the rain. Wasn't clear exactly where those would be, just figured if it wasn't passable, we'd bail for pavement.

Back to the hotel and I didn't feel good. Slept a little and then woke up and just barely made it to the bathroom. After a couple of trips my system was empty. Started thinking "do I have the freaking Covid ?" ... lots of worry.

Got up weak and empty on Friday morning for the Grand Depart .... and decided to bail for home. Got my trash in the car and drove home to Tucson, all 420 miles of it. Took a nap, had a tiny bit of soup and then went to bed for about 15 hours or so with a little fever. Better to be sick at home than some hotel room in another state.

Went out in the garage a few minues ago, and my bike is sitting there all ready to go, but I wasn't.  Watching trackleaders and wishing I was out there. Looked like it was a really hard, cold, wet ride and would be memorable for all that started it.

Good Luck everyone.