Ride of the Gladiators - The 2011 Palm Springs Century Recap

THE PUMP-UP

Their face showed no pity as they GLARED over the sufferings they had left in their wake. The VeloViet Gladiators are here in this desert land to fight, to conquer, and to take what is rightfully theirs. They will fight for HONOR, for PRIDE, and for a sense of ACCOMPLISHMENT.

There will be great suffering in this magnificent battle, and some sacrifices will be from within. The VeloViets are not individually alone, but is expected to be a 40-STRONG pack among this war of 10,000 riders. Each VeloViet member will be asked to sacrifice, and yes, each will have to individually give.

Champion by their mighty commander Captain Thomas, it is a battle that the VeloViet expects to win, as their pack will include the strongest riders and proven veterans. But will all members survived? It is currently unknown, but it is known that the VeloViets will carry all their wounded back with them, as they will leave none of their own behind.

As for the others casualties... well... there are always the fire pits!

THE RIDE

Dawn broke across the eastern horizon, seeping into the still dark Southern California sky. Slowly, the new morning light broke into the city of Palm Springs, opening the battle site of the latest city to be conquered by the VeloViet Gladiators. It is here that the VeloViet have chosen to test out their courage. It is here that the VeloViet have chosen to test out their faith in each other. It is here that only the strong will survive!

Wearing their metallic red spandex armor, the VeloViets were like heroic warriors fighting in a magnificent war. The first riders had started arriving last night, to start the mental and physical preparations for this exhausting journey. Only a selected handful had decided to stay the previous night, while the large VeloViet Army is rolling in as dawn broke in the eastern horizon.

The new sun light did not defeat the nervous feeling of the Gladiators. The VeloViets had barely contained the energy raging unchecked this past week, with their excitement exuding on e-mails, Facebook, and the Blog. It was known the day before that the first casualty of the war had fallen, with Viet declaring that he was fighting a cold and was unfit for this battle. The battle attrition had already started.

The second casualty was made known to us hours before the carnage to occur, and it involved one of our most magnificent warrior. A2 Road Captain Long called during our drive into the battle site, and declared that he too had succumbed to the dreaded cold virus that took out Viet. I was travelling on the road with the other A2 Road Captain Toan and our great female warrior Fixie Girl. Toan expressed concern that he would have to lead the massive A2 Army alone. Fixie and I pledge our commitments to Toan and promised to help commandeer the team on this 102-mile trek. At the parking lot, we quickly don our protective armor and made way to find our Captain Thomas.

At the start, we collectively breath a sigh of relieve as we saw the massive VeloViet pack. Riders who had previously committed to the PSC War were there as well as some unexpected face. The two members who I was surprised to see was Rock Racer An and Party Guy Simon. Rock Racer An, missing in action the last 4 months, was a previous casualty on the road in the OC. None of us had seen An for a while, did not even know that he was riding, and were extremely motivated when we saw him. For An to come out and ride, let alone that it was a 102 mile ride, brought deep emotions into the pack. This shows a high-caliber warrior, and with camaraderie of exceptional strength. For him to come out, ride, and be part of our battle troop means a lot to members of our club. I was excitedly talking to him as I had expected only two, not three, of the Rock Racer brothers to show.

As for the other surprise member, Party Guy Simon, I initially thought was going to be a silent no show as he was missing the last two training rides. For me to see Simon, I was very pleased. I have to admit at that time I still had lingering doubts on whether Simon can survive the entire ride, but I thought that since he came out, I would do what I can to make sure that he finishes.

A quick count by Captain Thomas showed that there were 27 VeloViet riders here, about 5 guests, and another 5 VeloViet members waiting at the start, totaling 37 riders in all that would be in the VeloViet Army. The massive VeloViet pack moved out. There was much, much excitement at this start, with lots of talking on the bike. Here is a movie showcasing our VeloViet Gladiators at the start.

Things changed quickly in the VeloViet pack. There were thousands of people on the road and the group quickly got separated. 5 miles into the ride, the first flat occurred and created a separation of the pack. Big Minh flatted and those VeloViets that were with him stop to help. The front group moved on not knowing the flat had occurred. A little further on, this group realized that there was not everyone together and stops a little farther on to wait for the pack.

Photo - First Flat into the Ride

I was in the first group on the road. After 15 minutes of waiting, I volunteered to stay while we deploy our strong men to move ahead with the agreement we would meet up at the first Sag stop. The A1 team moves on while I waited for another 10 minutes for the others. Here we are at the 15-mile Sag stop.

Photo - A2 Group Approaching the First Sag

Photo - Team Huddling Together at Sag Station

Photo - Team Ready to be Deployed from First Sag Station

After the right on Indian it was a lot of fun. This was the downhill stretch where we were approaching 35-40 miles an hour. I remember Andy was attacking and started a gap with some of the A2 team in front and some in the back. Palm Springs police were manning the stop signs and were waving us on. A quick left on Dillion and we were back to the flat land again. On this stretch, input from Randy reminded us of some extremely motivating sights on the road. We saw a family tandem, with dad, mom, son, and daughter, pulling the “limousine” bike up a hill.

There was also a one-legged woman pedaling with her single leg, and a number of paraplegics pedaling with just their arms. The life-filling sights were so motivating and inspirational, that it made me so happy, filled with life, and grateful that I have a healthy family, and that I was riding joyfully with my Veloviet Brothers and Sisters. I love you folks! Okay enough of this lovey dovey emotional stuff… back to the dramatic story… we entered the 27 mile Sag stop.

Photo - Local High School Band Pumping Up the Riders at the 2nd Stop

Photo - Phong, Toan, and Keith at the 2nd Stop

The section from here to the 51-mile Sag stop was extremely confusing. There were so many people on this stop that it was extremely hard to organize. On top of that, we had lost one of new rookie Jonathan. Here we decided to deploy the rest of the team and a small group waits for Jonathan. After the MTB guest rider, who had started with us, came into the Sag, we decided that Jonathan must have skipped this Sag station. We move out and caught up to the A2 group that was in front of us, and gapped them a bit on an uphill section. We also found and reel in Jonathan along this stretch.

Input from everyone indicated there were at least 5 VeloViet groups out on the road: the A1 team of Luke, Greg, Thomas, Sang, and Arnel, and at least 4 A2 groups. The first A2 group included folks like Anh Minh, Ngoc, and Danny. The second A2 group included Randy, Tan, Nancy, the Rock Racers, and Simon. The third A2 had Fixie, me, Donovan, and Hoa. Toan brought up the remaining A2 folks in the larger fourth group.

Mile 40 we had another bike team hook up. These guys were not playing fair as they were drafting, conserving energy, and then try to sprint away. As they died in the open, we caught up, they drafted again, conserve energy, and then sprint again. After the third time, Andy got tired of this game and sprinted with them and then drafted them instead. This team got the message and stopped the attacks.

Miles 35 to 45 was also where Fixie Girl began to flex her leg muscles. Fixie was pulling me, Donovan, and Hoa and we were sweeping up people and VeloViets on the rolling terrain. I had never seen Fixie this fast and so aggressive on long stretches before. Conversations later, Fixie contributed this to her training and the borrowed gear bike from Co.

Our young rookie Donovan surprised me as well. He was hanging with us, and was also taking turns at the front. In one section, I rode alongside him and asked about his training. Donovan revealed that Mac Daddy has been training the young rookie for Palm Springs, taking him out every Wednesday and Friday for a 40-mile ride, on top of doing the 75-mile Sunday rides with us.

The new rider Hoa I don’t know too much about, as he recently joined VeloViet, but I expect to see Hoa more in the front in the future as his cycling abilities grows riding with us. We reached the halfway stop.

Photo - VeloViets Enjoying the Music at the Halfway

Photo - Big Ming and KyAnh at the 51-Mile Sag

Photo - Rock Racers at the Halfway Mark

Photo - Toan, Dat, Sang, KyAnh, and Donovan

Report from Greg G revealed much fighting from the front line. The VeloViet had sent out their best Gladiators to clear the road for the massive incoming Army. These heroic front-line riders got into the thick of the battle immediately, flinging their bike in each sprints as if it was a broad sword swooping down for a kill. There were massive injuries taken, and the front line was hurt, but had not weakened significantly. One of these spearhead members, The Animal Scott, was weakened and battling a cold that had taken down Viet and Long, finally succumb and dripped in blood as he had pulled his team mates until he could no more. The main assault was then led by the remaining 3 warriors, Captain Thomas, Luke “The Beast”, and Greg. This red VeloViet trio passed hundreds of riders through the rolling hills. Some riders tried to grab a wheel and hang on, but few could maintain the massive pace that these strong men put out up and down these rolling hills.

Photo - A1 Team in a Perfect Echelon

Photo - A1 Team Attacking A Hill

These three did not let off, each taking turns at the front to give what they can. They rolled over thousands of biker, many times taking a second lane as there was no room to pass in the one lane. They rolled through the second Sag stop, not bothering to refuel as they know their VeloViet brothers and sisters are counting on them to fully represent the club. Also slowing down would only remind them of the pain and suffering they were enduring.

As the front pack close to the halfway destination, the group finally splintered. The fighting was so fierce that Captain must have release The Beast to try to gain the upper hand. Luke roared in rage as he took out on the road all his frustration, all his pent-up aggression, and applied all the energy into the pedals. Luke, an engineer by trade, must have calculated all those equations, applied all the mass indexes, figured out the rotating force, and perfectly executed the formulas for this assault. The Beast was in such a rage that he could no longer recognize friend or foe. His brutal application popped Greg first off his wheels, and then the Captain.

Photo - Luke and Scott Making a Surge. Check Out Those Massive Quads

Photo - Cap't, Luke, and Greg

Sensing a weakness in the front line, Sang put out a massive pull from far behind to come up and help. Greg quickly jumped onto this new train to rest and to catch up to the front duo. These three picked up Captain, getting some recovery slow pedal, and now these two were looking to catch The Beast, who individually had gone up ahead alone and wildly swinging his broad sword at all moving things. As his raging inferno calmed, some sense came back into The Beast and he waited for the rest of his team mates right before the Sag stop. The four Gladiators pulled into the sag stop together. The massive VeloViet Army pulled in a half hour later. A truly awesome first half so far. Here is a video that captures this.



The A1 team left first and the A2 rolled out a half hour later. A mile our from the 51-mile Sag, Tan got a flat. He repaired the flat, got on the bike to ride, and quickly got another flat. I helped Tan on the second flat, and we got a new tube in quickly.

Photo - Rock Racer Can Leading the Pack After the Halfway Stop

Photo - Tan's 1st Flat at the 52 Mile Mark

Tan must have some built up adrenaline from these two flats as he was working aggressively at the front once we caught up to the front pack. I remember KyAnh, me, and some of the folks were rotating at the front as well. Our other female rider Nancy was doing extremely well and was there along with us near the front. Toan mentioned he was suffering the initial effects of a cramp and was in the middle of the pack.

Photo - VeloViet Negotiating a Sweeping Curve

Photo - A2 Pack Around the 60 Mile Mark

Somewhere in this stretch too, I remember Billy D working real hard at the front pulling the pack. I remember thinking that Billy was real strong and was commenting to another rider how the Tandem training prepared him well. Billy was on his single bike and was without his usual tandem partner Co, who twisted her ankle the previous week and could not make the ride.

Somewhere between the halfway Sag stop and the 71-mile Sag stop, Fixie Girl got two flats. Three or four VeloViet riders, who were with Fixie, stayed and helped Fixie repairs these flats. We regrouped at the 71-mile Sag and continued on to our next and last stop.

Photo - KyAnh, Donovan, Keith, and Big Minh Resting at the 71-Mile Sag

Photo - Nancy Still Looking Like a Super Model After 71 Gruelling Miles

Photo - A2 Team Posing at the 71-Mile Sag

From mile 71 to mile 91, Phong does not remember too much. Although he did not cramp like last year, the mechanical lullaby sound from the bike, plus he was tired from the ride, had dulled all of his senses. The world bouncing beneath him, and his head pounding with each jolt as his bike go over a bump, Phong fought his way back to the conscious state. Rocks and other road debris appeared on the road as if some unseen forces preventing him from moving forward. The saddle on which he sat starts to become hard and uncomfortable. He took some gel into his body which seemed to refuel his thirst to ride. He dug in and helped the moving Army to their next destination.

After the uphill, then downhill, from the 71-mile Sag, young Warriors like Donovan and KyAnh were manning the front. Bloody from the battle, but yet their youthful energy still roamed high, they swung their swords to clear the way for the Army. Other individual riders, and from other bike clubs, could only watch as the VeloViet Nation rode past them in a sea flowing red.

Photo - Around the 80 Mile Mark. Almost There!

Here and there, the Palm Springs villagers came out to cheer their heroes. Litter along the side of the roads, these supportive folks cheered on these VeloViet strangers. These vocal voices brought renewed energy to the VeloViet pack and we reached our final destination, the 91-mile Sag station. Here are some photos.

Photo - Fixie Still Smiling Brightly After 91 Miles

Photo - Keith and Randy Enjoying Anh Minh's Stretching Exercise

Photo - Anh Minh Helping Big Minh Strech His Cramped Neck

In this final stretch, it was the Fixie Warrior who initiated the first attacks. Around mile 92, on an uphill, Fixie flexed her mighty quads and sprinted up a hill. This caused a splintering of the pack and Billy quickly moved out with Fixie. I remember too that Ngoc were taking these sprints, and I could not keep up without doing significant damage to the pack. There were a number of splits and regroups in this last 10 miles of the ride, causing major carnage to the pack. Everyone was letting loose on this final stretch.

The attack that stuck involved Randy. About 3 miles from the end we missed a turn, and Randy surged ahead as he knew the way. This became a long sprint out and those VeloViets who some left in the gas tank let loose. The A2 Team rolled into the finish line with energy that felt like we could have done another 30 miles. Everyone smiles and greeted each other on this adventure fill day.

Photo - Donovan, Fixie, and Keith Rolling In

Photo - The first A2 Members Who Finished

Photo - Dat Excited at the Finish

Photo - A2 Group Posing at the Finish

Photo - Luke, Cap't, Greg, and Sang at the Finish

The date, February 12, 2011, is now forever set in the history book for the VeloViet Bike Club. 37 hopefuls had come to challenge Palm Springs, and to find their true selves in this hot and dry desert land. Riders were mentally and physically punish, as their mind and every muscles in their body were challenged on this 102 mile ride.

But as Gladiators in battle stadiums, they ruled on their metallic stallions wearing their red armor. The A1 Team showed again that no one, and I mean NO ONE, can challenge this group as they showed their team strength on this ride. The A2 Team showed us that they are now a force to be reckoned with. And their collective massive strength is like an Army rolling over every obstacle in its path.

The VeloViets ruled on this day, but yet plan is already in place to present a stronger, better, and even more united front for next year. The team will be an even stronger and safer team, but only time will tell on what new pace we can set for next year.

I had enjoyed sharing this pain, but yet wonderful experience with the VeloViets. Enough thanks cannot be said of the wonderful pictures that VeloViet members, and their family, took on this ride. I can't wait and look forward for the 2012 Palm Springs Century.

Photo - The Author Looking Towards the 2012 Palm Springs Century!

Looking on the OC VeloViet Event Calendar, I look forward to the next fight with my comrades on the Baldy ski slope. To the mountains we go!

Out,
Phong