Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - My first Century - Done!

All 106 miles of it!
This was my goal for the season - to do century- and I could no feel happier about finishing it.

It all started back in May when I rode my first long ride - 47 miles on my 47th birthday. Then i did couple of metrics in July and August. Today was a happy Century day.

I rode North Shore Century in Chicago. I felt great after the ride as you can see from my smiling face.

http://homepage.mac.com/wirelessmac/.Public/finish.jpg

In case you wondering about this piece of paper I am holding - it is a certificate NSC gives you after the finish.

Very cool congrads on the century and reaching your goal!!

Great job!!!! I think I am going to make it a goal for me before the end of the year. Pretty steep goal but I think it is something I can do. Now to figure out a safe route.

Great job Wireless! Tell us a little about your ride, like weather, terrain, wind, ride time and total time. I am going for my first century in October. I am your age and your success gives me more confidence.:)

Fantastic. I can't wait to regain my strength and endurance to be able to complete one. I working on it and want to try and get it done in November around Thanksgiving.

Congratulations! That's a nice accomplishment. I'd have enjoyed participating in that ride myself if I could have.

Congratulations! I bet that's a great feeling :)

Kick A##!!! Congratulations on your accomplishment. Keep up the good work.:D

Add this to that Certificate as well! Great job!

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/wireless_century.gif

Excellent job!! Congratulations!!

(when's the next one??) :D ;)

Bravo!http://espacioforos.miarroba.com/21494/Caretos/clapping.gif

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

I think I was just off-camera when this picture was taken -- I remember the person taking the picture asking you to hold up your bike in front of you.

Didn't realize this was your first.... of many.

Congratulations!

I think I was just off-camera when this picture was taken -- I remember the person taking the picture asking you to hold up your bike in front of you.

Didn't realize this was your first.... of many.

Yes it was me! What a small world!

Thanks, everyone for good words and congratulations.
Now, a little bit about the ride. It is organized by Evanston Bike Club and here is the link:

http://www.evanstonbikeclub.org/NSC/

The ride goes through the mix of residential neighborhoods, rural roads and industrial zones.

My total ride time was exactly 7:00 hrs for 106 miles with avg speed of 15.14 Mph. Five rest stops added another hour to overall time ( I tried to keep my rest time under 10 min each) .

Major contributing factors to average speed were millions of stop signs, stop lights and road junctions. And some badly maintained roads. I think all the people in Great Lakes sub-forum who rode this route before commented on road quality. It was even compared once to Paris-Roubaix race which is known for its tough pavement.

On a plus side – the route is very, very flat which makes it easier for the first time century. I rode all the time on a large chainring and dropped to a small one only once when going through rail road overpass.
I think weather was great. May be a little chilly in the morning (below 60) , but eventually warming up to mid and high sixties.

Things I’ll remember the most - great views along the lake and thousand smiles at the finish line from all the people who made it. First century feels great!