There was no single reason why I quit but rather an accumulation of smaller things that equaled Not Much Fun. The biggest issue was the realization that I was not going to get the sleep that I thought I was going to get and I needed a lot more sleep than I thought I was going to need. By 3:00am the first night I was sleepy to the point where I was afraid that I would fall asleep on the bike (which prior to this I would not have thought possible). I grabbed a half hour snooze laying against a concrete barrier at a side of the road park. Only those who have "been there" can appreciate how comfortable a slab a concrete can be. I was having some difficulty with my knees and butt which came as a complete surprise because they have not bothered me all season (even on the 600k). My backing was acting up a little but I "advil-ed" quiet. I think that fact that I didn't "need" to finish had a lot to do with quitting - On other rides when things got tough the fact that I was qualifying for something would keep me going.
After only 150 miles I realized I was not prepared to finish so I tried to figure out where I could turn around and still get a decent ride for a couple of days. I made it to Susanville (mile 246) at 5:45 pm tuesday which put me only about 2 - 3 hours behind my original ride plan (I had wanted to be at Adin by 8:00pm). I checked in to the hotel, got 10 hours sleep and rode back 150 miles on wed and 100 miles on Thurs. I dawdled (sp?) at the controles, took pictures, looked off all of the scenic look offs and I still liked my bike when I got back. I found out later that of the other 14 or so riders who DNF'd, only 3 of us actually rode back. If I had known how easily it was to hitch a ride back I might have gone further out.
I did realize as I was still riding out that I had never done a tough 400k. Last year I rode Raleigh (I missed GA due to business travel) and this year I rode Florida (I missed GA because I was off with back problems) so Susanville was my toughest 400k. Also, I have never ridden a 600k straight through and I had never ridden throughout the night - I think I underestimated what it takes to do that.
Weather was not a problem. I did get caught in a heavy cold rain on the Top of the GRR climb up above antelope lake, however the Boston 600 last year prepared me for mountain rain. I put on a layer of fleece and my waterproof socks and gloves and I was ready to go. With all the crap I carried with me I would have been disappointed if I had carried it for nothing.
The return descent from Greenville to Tobin was not as advertised. Jim Solanick told me that when he came through at night he had a nice tailwind. When I came through during the day I felt like I was riding into a storm. As a test, I stopped pedaling once and the wind decreased my speed from 20mph to below 5 - and this was on a 2 - 4% down grade. Even so, it was much faster than going the other way. Even the climbs are easier going south. The Janesville grade is steep but it is only 2 miles - even if you are dead tired you can walk it in 40 minutes. the rest of the hill is pretty easily rideable Jarbo gap, from the north side, is a piece of cake. When I wanted to stand up I would put it in the big ring and when I was seated I was cruising in the middle ring.
Very well supported ride. At about 60 miles about 12 inches of the lip of my rear wheel peeled off. When Lee showed up I was offered a choice of 8 or 9 speed, campy or shimano and within about 40 minutes from problem to resolution I was back on the road. The 2 and 3 largest cogs were a little worn and I had new chain so I did suffer from slippage and that was a bit of a pain. While reassembling my bike this weekend I found a bad link so a good part of the slippage problem was probably the chain and not the loaner wheel.
The jury is still out on whether I will attempt another 1200. I am pretty sure that I could have physically finished this one but like I mentioned at the start, this had stopped being fun. I am competing in my first triathlon this weekend and even the Ironman has only a 17 hour time limit. I am going to spend the rest of this season trying to get faster and I will do the 200 - 400k next season. The 600 - 1200 is up in the air.