from Jeff Dayss
Editor's Note: The 28th annual Columbus Fall Challenge was held October 4 & 5
of 2003 on roads in the south central Ohio. Jeff Dayss attended the ride and gives his report below.
One of my favorite rides is the Columbus Fall Challenge. Every fall it gives me the goal of working
harder on hills.
It normally leaves from somewhere just south of Columbus, Ohio, and you ride southeast, many times
to the Kentucky border, but this year it was a little different. We left from a small town called Canal
Winchester (soon to become a big town. I've never seen so many subdivisions.)
It was cold and drizzling when we left Saturday morning (40 ). But it soon let up and the cold was
only noticeable on the down hills. I've always said there was a hill for every mile. This year the
hills seemed a little smaller and there were actually two flat sections. It still makes the Hilly
Hundred a walk in the park. Speaking of the Hilly, the countryside was just as beautiful as the Hilly.
But back to the ride. There are four food stops in the 104 miles each day with a pretty good
selection of snacks at each one. The roads are marked pretty well. I never had to look at a map once.
I had to hit 40 mph a dozen times each day and saw my speedometer at 4 mph at the crest of many a hill.
I always use every gear I have.
On the second day I was climbing a hill very slowly. All I could hear was a very rapid thump, thump,
thump. I looked over and saw a butterfly trying to pass me. I kept pace with him for several seconds
and then he took a dive through my front wheel. To my surprise, his wings never missed a beat, shooting
through my spokes and across the road he flew. Making me feel like I was in slow motion.
Each year I finish with a real sense of accomplishment and look forward to the next year.
