Kudos to Kimmer!

Cool Running

Not only does she ride, but she writes!

Kathy, Jim and Phil's recent participation in the Horrible Hilly Hundred bike tour. Well Kathy wrote up the following story and submitted it to the tandem newsletter called "Double Talk" - it was selected and will be published this fall. Here's is what she wrote:

Tandem Captain: Phil Krejci
Tandem Stoker: Kathy Ducat

"Work That Sucker to Death" was a song we could hear often times during training with the Madison BCETS Group. Phil has a way of singing his way up those horrible hills of western Dane County. One day, he even belted out the "Candyman" song, but I think it was an extremely weak moment.

How my story began:

Jim and I joined the Madison Achilles Chapter in May of 2007. Given I am visually impaired, it was a new way to find folks to guide me in tandem cycling, running, or cross country skiing.

While riding tandem with Kim Virden, Madison Achilles Founder, along side of a hand cyclist, late last autumn, we met Phil on the bike path.
He stopped us on the tandem and explained he was interested in becoming an Achilles volunteer and that he coached a group for the Horrible Hilly Hundreds ride.

Before we parted, I raised my hand and told him, "Give me some of that biking stuff." He responded, "I will be with you on that tandem for the
2008 HHH." I smiled and said, "That would be fun!" I was thinking to myself, "Oh yeah, he has no idea how difficult that would be on a tandem."
We traded contact info.

Phil did become a very dedicated Achilles volunteer.

In November, Phil approached me to gauge my interest in training for the HHH. This would mean he would need to learn how to captain the tandem.

Lessons for Phil. Trust for me.

We rode a few times prior to the snow falling. We mostly stayed on the flats in order to get the start, stop, and emergency communication in sync.

In February, Jim, my partner and I began spinning classes through the BCETS program.

There was soon to be a break in my cycle training as I injured my right knee during a 10k cross country ski race in Bend, Oregon while attending the International Ski for Light Event. I was thankful to hear the news of a sprained MCL following the MRI - no tears and bike riding was good rehab.

This brought us to March when the outdoor BCETS training rides began.
Many chilly and windy days presented additional challenges of learning how to climb those hills. It was great fun being a part of this group.
Everyone is so supportive and friendly.

The training continued to add opportunities for growth. Longer rides with more hills. Phil's sense of humor really helped to get my mind off other life challenges and more on to the matter at hand of conquering that next hill.

There was one hill we just could not make it up. In fact, we toppled over. Just did not have enough umph to keep the boat a float. The biggest mess up during that moment is that Phil forgot to yell the emergency unclip word which was supposed to be f___ (like he meant it).
Instead, he muttered sh_t. I did not understand, so I stayed clipped in.
We did the Barlow tandem sprawl! No blood, no cars in sight. Good to go. Pick it up and ride on troops!

After that event, we hauled the tandem in for the addition of a super low granny gear. This is really something to fall in love with. It makes those climbs much easier if there is such a thing on a tandem.

I rode my first century on 5/23/08 with Phil. It was a relatively flat ride compared with the training we had completed thus far. It was the first time I was a part of a "pace line." It seemed so easy compared to riding hills. We celebrated with fellow BCETS members in Mazomanie.

On 06/14/08, the HHH Day finally arrived. Most of our BCETS training group left about 6:00 AM because they planned to ride 200K. Phil and I had decided in early May to ride the 100k.

Wow, what a ride!

There were 5 other tandems registered. The most crushing event took place on our first climb up Blue Mounds when a red Comotion pulling a trailer with 2 children in it passed us. We did pass them on the same hill which put my slightly competitive spirit to rest - for a little while.

The next notable event took place during our Barlow climb. I had not been on that road since our topple over. It was scary. I unclipped my left foot for a hopefully faster response should it be needed. Zoom we went. Up and over. There were many screams of joy! That was so neat!
Even better than the 100 mile ride of a few weeks ago. After that climb, we resolved there would be absolutely no walking on this ride.

The last climb was brutal. Up Blue Mounds we went again. We were exhausted by then. There were writings on the road - "Beer near," "Is this a hill?"
"That which does not kill you, will make you stronger." All of these Phil read to me and it helped to entertain my tired muscles. Near the top, Barb Wolter, our Achilles friend, ran along with us. At the top Kim Virden and Rene Cromer also of Achilles, and Sue Krejci, Phil's wife, chimed in. It helps to have a cheering section.

The HHH Ride is well supported and the rest stops are great. Thanks to everyone who made this a memorable event.

Thanks also to all of my friends who helped to conquer those hills :)


Vera & Gordon Cunningham and Kim Virden for watching over Elizabeth, my guide dog, and opening their homes to us.

Joann Peck who picked me up for the training rides.

The Achilles family who connected Phil & I and cheered us along during training and at our finish.

Jim Cunningham, my partner, did training rides and transported when he was not delivering the US mail. I managed to get a few massages from him now and again :)


Then there is P-hil. He digs those climbs. Think that someone knew what they were doing when he was named with the word "hil" in his name
:) There is so much to thank you for. Many rides to and from training and the most important job of Admirable of the sS commotion! I'll never forget the feeling of beating Barlow! That 100 mile ride was also great fun. We kicked some butt in that pace line! You have a great sing song voice. Dig that "Candy Man" song!
:) Thanks for helping me to reach up and over!!! I will work hard to continue training and maybe next year, we will set a higher goal. More miles! More hills! Oh no I am hooked. Dreaming of the red bike with the super light components :) Roberts Road anyone?

I am filled with blessings of angels in my life.

The training and the actual ride was fun, challenging, and motivating.

Aint no mountain high enough!!!!!

Note: The Achilles-Madison Chapter is open to and serves disabled people of Dane County.
Achilles was founded by Dick Traum, an above the knee amputee, in 1983.
The organization pairs differently abled athletes with a guide for exercise - running, walking, hand cycling, or rolling in a wheelchair.