Being overtaken by a thunderstorm is quite an experience.

The sudden tailwind of the thunderstorm’s gust front was a temporary blessing followed by the loud collision of fat water droplets bouncing off my bicycle helmet.  Seconds later, I was riding in a deluge.

That was the experience for me during the last six miles or so of the 2011 La Vernia Hammerfest.  As the heavens opened up, the country roads turned into small streams.  I remember 30mph, white knuckle descents and my inner voice yelling loudly at me, “Don’t brake, don’t brake, don’t brake”.

But I digress.  It was actually not the thunderstorm that hammered me at Hammerfest but the first 47 miles or so of grueling riding and the quick realization that the allergies/chest cold I’d been plagued with the past few days was not just my imagination.

I realized that soon after the start of the ride when we flew out of the chute with too much gusto too soon.  In just a few minutes I was already flirting with heart rates over 155 and in my opinion this unbridaled enthusiasm “shocked” my already weakened system.

After just 10 miles or so, it was readily apparent that this was going to be more of a ride I’d be thrilled to complete instead of dishing out some sort of stellar performance.

Complete it I did and despite being hammered by my own body’s rejection of being subjected to 53 miles on the bicycle, I was proud I was able to persevere and mark off another successful 2011 cycling event.  Many, many thanks to all the volunteers that supported us at today’s ride.  Your support is greatly appreciated!  It was great to hear that over $60k had been raised to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Kudos, too, are in order for my riding buddy Marco.  I wondered why he’d asked me how fast thunderstorms move earlier in our ride after seeing the storm approaching.  Turns out he put the hammer down and was able to stay in front of it.  Hats off to you my friend!

Hundreds of cyclists prepare for the 2011 La Vernia Hammerfest

Justin (left) & Marco (right) - about 22 miles into the ride at our first rest stop.